Page 68 of Traces Of You

He went back to the station to take care of a few things, pulled his phone out and saw the text from Reenie.

He hated to rush out on her like that but knew Clay had it covered. He’d nodded his head toward Rod before he left for his brother to monitor that situation too.

But the doe in the headlight look Reenie sent him tore at his gut as he drove away.

Would he have loved for her to give him a kiss for luck?

Yeah. But they weren’t there.

Holding her in his arms and comforting her brought them closer mentally. Even emotionally.

Physical was something he had no intention of pushing.

She’d had enough things pushed on her in life.

But here she was saying she was sorry if she reacted wrong to him leaving and hoped he was okay. She’d have dinner ready for him if he was hungry later.

That was hours ago.

Ford replied he hoped to be done in two hours and would see her then.

Two hours later, he was still dealing with shit and let her know he might not make it.

She told him she’d wait, for him to text when he was on the way.

He’d never been with a woman willing to do that before.

Most times they were frantic if he was out, or annoyed if he didn’t return on time.

He pushed away from his desk, ready to call it a night, drove home and showered, then returned to the orchards.

The sun would set soon, and there was a bite to the air with it, but all he could think of was how hungry he was, not just for food but for time with Reenie.

He pulled in front of the cabin, the lights on inside, smoke coming out of the chimney.

The front door opened after he saw the curtain move.

“Hey,” he said. “Thanks for waiting and cooking dinner.”

“I planned on offering it anyway, but then you rushed out. Everything okay? I tried to follow on the news the best I could, but there aren’t any local channels here.”

She had internet for some apps and shows and that was it. She said she watched little TV anyway. It didn’t seem many people did. Or at least the local news, but he knew his parents would have been following it. The same as his siblings.

“You don’t need to worry about those things,” he said. “Is that a cake?”

His eyes went right to the plate with a layered chocolate concoction.

She laughed. “It is. Chocolate cake and chocolate frosting. I remembered you used to like that. I hope you still do.”

Her remembering that detail from their childhood had his nerve endings buzzing with joy. His mother had put the double chocolate cake on the table after Reenie came for dinner that day, and he’d bragged it was made for him. It was his favorite.

“I do,” he said. “I don’t get it often. Not like I need the weight on me.”

Her eyes went to his biceps. They were there earlier too. What guy didn’t love that a woman was checking him out?

But this wasn’t just any woman. She was the one etched into his very blood, impossible to forget, impossible to bleed out.

He’d have one drop left and she’d continue to multiply until she took over again.