Page 54 of Critical Doubt

"Because of the explosion at Todd's house."

"Yes. It's the one piece that makes me think Todd's death was not an accident. Until I know for sure, I want you and Tyler to stay in Ridgeview. Promise me you will."

"I will. I'm not that eager to go home. Tyler is doing well with my parents and it helps to have their support."

"Abby, whatever financial issues Paul left you with, I'm going to help you. You should have told me there were problems."

"Are you rich now, Savannah? Because our money problems are too big for you to help with. I might have to declare bankruptcy to get out from under. I told Paul that a few weeks ago, and he had a fit. He said he couldn't do that. He couldn't walk away from his debts. It wasn't honorable. Well, falling off the roof wasn't honorable, either, but that's where we are."

She heard the bitter, angry edge in Abby's voice and couldn't blame her. "We'll talk when I get back, go over all the options. There's life insurance, right?"

"Yes, and I got a letter today from some veterans' fund that said I might be eligible for compensation. I just had to fill out a form and then they'll get back to me."

"Well, that's good. Hopefully, we can keep the wolves away."

"We got into a lot of debt when Tyler was sick two years ago. That's when we maxed everything out. Paul's injuries just made everything worse. I know I need to get a full-time job now. I just don't know what I'm going to do."

"We'll figure it out. Just let yourself grieve your husband. Paul was a good person. You loved him, and he loved you, and you can't forget that in the midst of everything else."

"You're right. I better go. I hear Tyler calling my name."

"I'll talk to you tomorrow." As she set down the phone, she heard three knocks at the door. She got up to answer it, checking through the peephole first to make sure it was Ryker. Then she opened the door.

He entered with a smile and a large bag in his hand, but as soon as he saw her face, his expression changed. "What's wrong now?"

She closed the door and put on the dead bolt. "I just spoke to Abby. The police found Todd's body. He's dead, Ryker. I'm sorry."

Chapter Thirteen

Ryker could barely hearwhat she was saying. The bells had begun to chime as soon as he'd seen the grim look on her face.

"Ryker?" she asked.

It sounded like she was talking underwater. He put his hands over his ears as a chorus of noises echoed through his head. Explosions, bells, screams, squealing tires, garbled shouts…

Terror ran through him. The anxiety that he'd come to expect and yet was never quite ready for was back.

There were hands on his shoulder now—her hands, warm and strong. He stared into her beautiful green eyes and the gold flecks within her gaze shimmered like a waterfall. Her blonde hair was like silk, her lashes a long, beautiful sweep of black, her nose so perfect and straight with just a tilt at the end that seemed to fit her stubborn personality so very well. And then there was her mouth and her full, pink lips, perfect for kissing. He could lose himself in her. He could be who he used to be.

His thoughts shockingly started to drown out the noises in his head.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and moved in closer, her head fitting just under his chin. Her breasts were soft against his chest, and other parts of his mind and body suddenly started demanding attention.

He took his hands off his ears and wrapped his arms around her, holding her close, feeling a connection that he'd been missing the last year—even longer than that. He buried his face in her hair, inhaling her sweet scent, and his mind began to quiet. He no longer heard the bells, but he could hear his heart beating faster, the blood rushing through his veins.

She pulled back slightly, lifting her head, meeting his gaze. "Better?" she murmured, her voice still hushed as if she was afraid of setting him off again.

"Yes. I don't know how you did it. You drove the noise away." He paused. "Actually, I do know. You distracted me. My mind ran away from the bells and straight to you. I started thinking about how much I want to hold you, kiss you."

Her eyes glittered with his words. "You are holding me, Ryker."

"I want more. But…"

"There's a but?" she asked with surprise.

"I don't want you to kiss me because you feel sorry for me or you're trying to comfort me or bring me back to life. I want you to kiss me because you want to. Or not."

Indecision played through her eyes. "I want to. I just don't know if I should."