Page 72 of Noel Secrets

Sirens sounded, and Addie wilted in relief. If the police took Travis and questioned him, could she get Price alone? She wanted to know that he was as good as he seemed, get her questions answered, and thank him properly.

She touched her lips. Could that mean …? Maybe. Despite her concerns, her stomach hopped with anticipation.

The next hour was draining as the police hauled off Travis who kept protesting he was only trying to bring Addie dinner.Detective Thayne came inside her house and questioned her. She saw Detective Moshe questioning Price out by the police vehicle. Weren’t they both freezing? Would she get a chance to be alone with Price and thank him?

Studying Detective Thayne as he wrapped up, she asked, “It’s much too convenient that Price Sanderson was right there when I needed someone. Is there any way he could be the note sender as your captain originally thought?”

The detective looked startled and then cracked a rare smile. “Absolutely not. I know Captain Byington originally wondered if Captain Sanderson could have used his connections and skills to harass you, but we’ve checked him out from every angle. That man is so clean and heroic I’d give him the Distinguished Service Medal if he hadn’t already received it. That’s the third highest honor in the Navy if you didn’t know. Captain Sanderson works fortheAiden Porter. Did you know that? I got to speak to Aiden.” He looked proud of that fact.

“I did know that. You told me.”

“Oh, right. But no. I would trust Captain Sanderson with my sister, with my wife, with my daughter if I had one.”

“All right. Wow. Thank you for the reassurance.” Detective Thayne definitely had some hero worship going on with Price that seemed to have only grown in the past week.

She couldn’t say she blamed him. Price appeared as heroic as any man she’d ever met, and he wasn’t a man who bragged or postured. The Distinguished Service Medal, third highest honor in the Navy. Wow.

“We’ll be in touch. Hopefully this Travis character is the one writing the notes or knows who is.”

“I hope so too. Thank you.”

“Sure thing.” Finally, Detective Thayne walked out the door. Addie followed him onto the porch, hugging herself for warmth.

Price focused in on her with those dark eyes shadowed with long lashes and she had her own case of hero worship. She felt like she was lost and found. Could a man this incredible have walked into her life and been there for her right when she needed him? Joy and gratitude swelled in her heart.

She swayed and leaned against the doorframe for support. Price said something to Detective Moshe and then he rushed up the steps past Detective Thayne. He paused to say ‘thank you’ to Detective Thayne and accept his praise, but as soon as he pulled his hand back from shaking the detective’s, he was up the stairs and in her space.

His warmth surrounded her, and she found it impossible to catch a breath. Price didn’t touch her, but he was close enough she could feel the heat from his body and feel protected by his strong frame.

“Are you all right?” he asked. His hand lifted as if he wanted to reach out to her, but then it dropped back to his side. Was he afraid to push her too fast? His dark gaze was intense. Why wouldn’t he touch her?

“Thanks to you,” she managed.

“I’m glad I was here.” He looked broody and mysterious and impossibly enticing.

“Whywereyou here?”

“I rent the house four doors down. I was out on a run and heard you yell at him.”

“Why?”

He tilted his head to the side.

“I mean, I understand the run. Why are you renting the Blotters’ home?”

His gaze trailed over her, steamy but holding something back. “An assignment.”

She had a multitude of questions about that. “What kind of assignment?”

“I … I’m sorry, Addie, but I can’t disclose that.”

They studied each other, and she felt that conflict raging in him. He wanted to trust and confide in her, but he’d promised someone—most likely his boss, the high and mighty Aiden Porter—that he would keep his clients’ information and case confidential.

“Some kind of privacy agreement and pledge to your boss or your client?”

The relief in his gaze was tangible. “Yes.”

“Price.” A cold chill raced down her spine. Him being here was far too coincidental. “Did my sister hire you to protect me?”