Page 31 of Colton On Guard

Slowly, she nodded. “You’re right,” she replied. “I can.”

With him by her side, she walked through her parents’ house. Once again, everything appeared undisturbed. “I don’t think anything is missing,” she said. “Which means the intruder…”

She couldn’t finish the sentence.

“We’ll need you to sign this, ma’am,” the first officer said. “We’ll file a report once you do. My suggestion to you is to installa stronger lock on that back door. A dead bolt, like the one you have up front. But for now, it should be secure enough.”

“Thank you.” She took his tablet and signed, deciding not to mention that “secure enough” had done nothing to keep the intruder out. “I’ll get that done first thing in the morning.”

Parker squeezed her fingers again. “I’ll do it for you.”

Grateful, she thanked him.

Together, they watched the police officers leave.

No way did she want Parker to go and leave her there alone. In fact, she didn’t know that she could ever spend another night alone in this house again.

CHAPTER 7

Glancing at Genna, standing ramrod-straight and clearly struggling to hold it together, Parker clamped his jaw shut. He hated nothing worse than seeing a strong, capable woman like her reduced to fighting back tears.

When she raised her gaze to meet his, he saw the shattered emotions and terror in her eyes. Immediately, he pulled her close, noting how fragile her slender body felt. Trembling, she clung to him.

“I can’t,” she muttered, against his chest. “I just can’t.”

Unsure what she meant, he made a sympathetic sound and continued to rub her back. He’d offer her comfort until she let him know she didn’t need it any longer.

And, despite the heat simmering in his blood as he held her close, he refused to take advantage of her distress. Not in any way, shape, or form.

When she pulled out of his arms, he quickly released her. Stepping back, he jammed his hands into his pockets so he wouldn’t touch her. “Are you going to be okay?” he asked gently.

“No.” She swallowed hard. “I’m not. In fact, I have a huge favor to ask. Would you mind if I stay at your house again?”

“Of course, I don’t mind,” he replied. “You’re welcome to stay as long as you need.”

“Thank you.” Glancing around as if she expected someone to step out from the shadows, she met his eyes. “Until the policefigure out who is trying to break into my house and why, I’m going to take you up on it.”

Though his first reaction—joy—made him want to grin, he knew that was the last thing she needed right now. Instead, he gave her a grave nod. “Why don’t you go get packed? Take as much as you need, but remember, we can always come back and get more clothes if you need them.”

“Thank you.” She didn’t bother to hide her relief. “Give me a few minutes. Go ahead and help yourself to a drink or snack or whatever you want.”

That said, she hurried out of the room.

When she returned a few minutes later, she not only had her usual backpack, but pulled a medium-sized duffel bag with wheels. “I think I got everything,” she said. Her tremulous smile tugged at his heart.

“Let me help you.” He grabbed her duffel, which she released without protest. Outside, he waited while she used her remote to set the alarm before locking the front door.

He waited while she got into her vehicle and started it, then jumped into his. She followed him to his place. He drove in silence, matching the quiet darkness of the middle of the night. The streets were mostly deserted, the stoplights flashing red.

When they arrived at his place, she got out of her car slowly, almost as if she were sore and hurting. Parking, he grabbed her duffel while she shouldered her backpack, and he led the way into his house.

Inside, he walked down the hall to the guest bedroom. “I washed the sheets and remade the bed,” he told her, turning on the light.

“Thanks.” She took a step past him into the room. Looking around, she exhaled. “You know, someday, if you want, I can help you with a little interior decorating,” she said, looking around the impersonal setup.

He chuckled. “You don’t like hotel room chic?”

“It’s okay,” she said, her voice cautious. “I’m sorry, I’m being rude. You’ve been kind enough to let me stay here and then I critique your décor.”