Page 89 of Lethal Threat

“And Caleb faced down an organized crime ring for me.”

I wipe at my eyes. Maybe….there’s no reason why these women shouldn’t know.

I draw in a big breath, then tell them. “Cole brought me here to Eden because I was in an accident and have amnesia. When he picked me up I didn’t even remember who he was.”

Savannah stops mid-stroke and the polish drips off her brush onto the table. “But… I don’t understand. I thought you were a couple.”

“I guess we were at one point. God. I don’t even know. But all I know now is that we’ve had sex. Really good sex. And at the moment, I’m furious with him.”

Sophia laughs softly. “Lord, I’ve been there. Not the amnesia part, but the confusion and the nail-spitting anger.”

I slump. “He won’t tell me what he knows about my past.”

Savannah watches me carefully. “Does he have a reason?”

Twisting my lips in frustration, I shake my head. “He says I’m not ready to hear it.”

Savannah resumes painting. “Are you?”

I pick up a bottle of lavender polish. “You know, I thought I was, but something about the way Cole’s acting makes me scared to hear what he has to say.”

Sophia files her thumbnail for a few seconds. “Cole’s a good man. Just like his brothers. I am sure he’s just trying to look out for you.”

“I just get the feeling he doesn’t want me to know something.”

Sophia shakes the bottle of red polish she’s chosen. “I’m a doctor, I don’t know if you know that. But anyway, sometimes it’s best to adjust slowly when you’ve got amnesia. It’s kind of like going to Disney when you’re four years old. It’s just too much, and you end up feeling like a train wreck.”

“I kind of already feel like a train wreck, only I have no clue where the cargo went when I crashed.”

Savannah holds up her freshly painted nail for an inspection. “That has to suck. But you’re in the right hands. Cole cares about you. You can see it all over his face. The Strongs aren’t always easy men to love, but I promise you, they're worth the headache.”

Sophia nods. “Absolutely. And I can’t think of a more perfect time than the Christmas holiday to get to know each other again. The holiday is so great with this family.”

Waving her pretty nails, Savannah says, “And to have a white Christmas is the icing on the cake.”

Christmas.

It seems so daunting. And so far away, even though it’s right around the corner. But nothing feels settled. “If I’m still here, I guess it might be my first.”

Chapter Twenty-Nine

COLE

The smell of baked chicken, fresh rolls, and cookies drifts out of the to-go bag my mother packed for us. I open the truck door for Sierra and she silently climbs in.

I sigh out my exhaustion when I climb in the driver's seat. “Well, that was weird.”

Nothing. Not a word in reply. Sierra’s energy is as prickly as a porcupine.

The entire way home, she stares out the window into the dark night.

When we step into the foyer, she won’t look at me.

“I’m going to bed.”

I’m left staring after her as she climbs the steps without another word.

After putting away the food, I climb the stairs to my bedroom. Tired. Muscles aching from the murderous chopping I did earlier.