Page 21 of Deception and New Direction (Ranger Shield Security #3)

RUTHIE

The next day, Jack must have felt I needed a distraction, because we set off to pick out some new ceiling fans, light fixtures, and several other items for his house. We had just picked up the final items and were headed back home.

As Jack merged onto the highway, the mid-morning sun glinted off the windshield.

I fidgeted with a bag of drawer pulls in my lap.

We’d been in the home improvement store longer than either of us had planned, debating the merits of cabinet hardware finish and arguing—mostly from me—about paint swatches.

Jack reached for my hand, likely seeing me playing with the hardware bag.

As I looked out the window, a bright-blue Mustang caught my eye in the side-view mirror. The color had been vibrant enough that I had noticed it in the home improvement parking lot, plus I had always thought Mustangs were good-looking cars, even if their gas mileage wasn’t great.

But the concern I had now wasn’t about the gas mileage, but rather the fact that I had seen that very car at both home improvement stores, plus the paint store, and it now seemed to be following us.

“Jack. Do you see that blue Mustang behind you?”

Jack glanced in the rearview mirror. “ The one that’s been following us all day?”

“You noticed that?”

“Kinda hard to miss a bright-blue color like that,” he pointed out.

“Do you think it’s just coincidence?”

“Not necessarily, but I also don’t think it’s cause for panic yet.”

“Why not?” I asked because I felt like if someone you didn’t know was following you, it wasn’t usually for a good reason.

“I texted Archer the plate info about an hour ago when I first realized it was the same vehicle,” he told me, which I hadn’t known, and it kind of irked me that he hadn’t shared that.

“ The guy certainly isn’t a professional, nor is he trying to hide the fact that he is going to all the same spots we are.

So , either this person is the world’s worst tail, or they are genuinely going to the same stores we are. ”

“Maybe they work in construction or something?” I tried to think up a plausible explanation.

“Let’s test that theory. Pick somewhere else to go that’s not related to that.”

“What do you mean?” I asked him, not quite following what he was saying.

“Let’s go get some lunch, but at a place where a male who works in construction probably wouldn’t pick as first on his list to eat,” Jack suggested.

“Like what?”

“What’s that place you and Ellie go to all the time that has a bunch of flower wallpaper and girly décor on the inside? The one that Dane joked stripped his manhood when he walked in the door to pick up your order the one time?”

I laughed, remembering that moment. “ Chicken Salad Chick !”

“Bingo,” Jack agreed. “ It’s down the street by the pet store, yes?”

“Yeah, which is good ‘cause I can pick up a few things for Dash while we’re there,” I informed him.

“Good, and it also gives us plenty of time to see if our interests still align with our blue stalker.”

“What about you? Aren’t you afraid your manhood is going to be threatened if you step foot in there?” I teased him.

“I think my manhood is stronger than a few flowers, but how about we try it out, and then I’ll let you check out my manhood after and tell me if you think it’s affected.” He lifted his brows at me suggestively, which caused me to roll my eyes.

* * *

An hour later, we were headed back home. Our blue Mustang stalker had not followed us to the restaurant or the pet store, nor did they join back up with us on our way home.

It felt weird having it just be a coincidence, especially with everything that had happened lately, but with the immediate threat gone, I chose to just move on.

We started unloading the large haul from the SUV and carrying everything into the house. I had learned over the last few weeks how to wrap plastic bags around my crutches while I walked so I could at least assist in carrying a few things to and from the houses.

Jack and I left the door open so it would make it easier going back and forth, but sadly, that also allowed Dash to sneak out the front. I wasn’t too worried at first because he mostly just sniffed around the yard investigating, but then his mortal enemy showed up—a squirrel.

Dash bolted. He shot off like a blur, clearly thrilled with his taste of freedom to chase the critter. I gasped and lurched forward, almost losing my balance.

“Dash!” I shouted. “ No ! Dash , come back!”

Jack, who was walking out of the house again, realized what had just happened. “ I’ve got him. Stay here,” he said, already sprinting across the yard and toward the trees.

The wooded area filled with trees was the border of the property that the guys shared. It wasn’t a full-fledged forest, but it was thick enough to provide ample privacy, and also a way for Dash to get lost.

I may not be able to spring away like Jack , but I wasn’t going to stay either. Not when my baby—my sweet, nosy, occasionally dumb dog—was racing away. I hobbled forward as fast as I could on my crutches, eyes scanning the woods that both Dash and Jack had disappeared into.

I tried calling Dash’s name again and again as I worked my way slowly toward the woods.

I hated feeling useless. Hated that my body couldn’t keep up.

By the time Jack came back with Dash —who looked sad that his great escape was thwarted— I was easily more than fifty yards from the house.

“I’m just going to put him in the backyard so he’s safe while I carry in the rest of the stuff,” Jack said, walking by me toward the backyard—carrying him like a little baby in his arms.

I paused for a minute to catch my breath then turned and made my way back toward the driveway.

An instant later, I was swept up in Jack’s arms and he was carrying me this time.

“Jack!” I shrieked. “ What are you doing? Put me down!”

“No can do, sweetheart. I’d like this body in working order later, and that won’t happen if you overdo it on the crutches.”

“Jack, I’m not an invalid. Put me down,” I insisted, though he hadn’t stopped his movement toward the house.

“Can’t hear you. What did you say?” he joked.

“Jack,” I growled.

“Yes, Ruthie ,” he replied sweetly.

“Gah! You are so irritating.”

“Why, thank you,” he shot back then placed me on the front porch to his house.

I turned to give him a piece of my mind, but as I did, his hands came up to grab the sides of my head and he kissed me. Hard . His tongue slipped between my lips as he moved his hands into my hair, sliding his fingers along my scalp and pulling me in deeper for the kiss.

When he released my lips, I was a bit dazed and wobbly as I regained my composure.

“There’s only one bag left, so I’ll get it,” he said quickly. “ I’ll meet you in the house.”

Blast this man and his dizzying kisses.

* * *

The next morning, as I was getting dressed, I realized I needed more clothes.

Even though Jack had a washer and dryer, I had only packed a portion of my wardrobe when I first moved over here.

I guess at the time, I hadn’t thought it would last, so I had only packed ten days’ worth of clothes.

It was fine in the beginning, but I had literally been wearing the same few outfits for the past seven weeks.

Plus , my friends were taking me out for my birthday next week, and I wanted to grab something a little more fun to wear.

“Can we swing by my apartment after work today so I can grab some more clothes?” I asked Jack as we got into the car to head to work.

“Yeah, although Archer can grab a few things for you and bring them to work,” he responded.

“I’d rather go myself. First , he’s a guy. I don’t trust him to pick out things that match and go well together,” I explained then turned to face him to be a little cheeky. “ Plus , are you really okay with the idea of him going through my underwear drawer?”

“No,” he said sharply. “ Alright . We’ll head over after work,” he agreed, and I realized I liked this agreeable version of Jack .

Now if only I could get him to be this agreeable on everything else.