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“I do.”
“This is beginning to make sense. Not in a good way.” She tapped her fingers against the console. Inviting herself on this trip had been a spur of the moment crazy thing to do, but she was here now, and there was no way she’d leave Malachi to confront a cult led by a killer.
He blew out a breath. “I’ll take you home if you don’t want any part of my mess.”
“I’m not going anywhere. I’m in this with you.”
As she’d known it would, the temperature dropped as night fell, and her teeth chattered to prove it. The outline of a structure in the distance looked promising. Possibly an old shack. Becky hugged her arms across her body and wished she’d worn warmer clothing that afternoon. But the warmth of the mid-March sunshine had tricked her into believing a light jacket would be enough. A shiver crawled up her spine as much from the night sounds as from the cold. Coyotes called. An owl hooted. An animal made a screeching sound similar to a woman’s scream. None of it was comforting.
Her mind traveled back to the night she’d left home. Kicked out at twelve years old. She closed her eyes against the emotions the memories brought up. That first night had been spent on a park bench. It was three days later when a woman found her and brought her to Ezekiel. And from that time forward, she’d had a place she belonged. Until his arrest.
Reaching the wooden building, she shook her head. An old outhouse. Not the best shelter, but it would have to do. She had no other options. Inside, she found a half-rotten piece of plywood that formed the bench. Thankfully, it had gone unused long enough that there was no foul odor, only a deep earthy scent along with a bit of mustiness. There was enough room on the old plywood for her to curl up in the fetal position. She’d have to lay down her thin jacket, which would leave her without a covering, but it wasn’t like there were any other options. It was the safest place she could find to spend the night.
She went outside and searched for something she could use to make the night more bearable. A hemlock stood nearby. She didn’t have a knife to cut the branches, but with enough twisting back and forth, one finally came free. Two or three more and she’d have a way to make her temporary bed a touch softer. It was the best she could do under the circumstances.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Cate swiped the corner of her mouth with a paper napkin. “That pizza was delicious.”
“It was cheap frozen pizza. Not exactly gourmet.”
“It was supreme. Didn’t you enjoy those tiny bits of bell pepper?”
“You don’t know how to cook, do you?”
She laughed. “Would it be a deal breaker if I told you I eat Campbell’s soup for dinner most nights?”
He tugged her hand, and she gave in and moved closer to him on the couch. “I can cook, so I’m not looking for a woman with gourmet cooking skills.”
“No? Then what are you looking for in a woman?” A dangerous question to ask, but the words spilled out before she could stop them.
He tugged on one of her braids. “I find myself drawn to a woman with incredible intelligence, compassion, and a fondness for her family that she tries to hide behind annoyance.”
Scrunching up her nose, she pulled away slightly. “The annoyance is real. Honest to goodness, those brothers of mine are aggravating.”
He raised a brow. “Who said it was you that I was drawn to?” He winked, and heat flooded her face. She’d give anything to have the ability to turn off her blushes. “The woman I have in my sights has the cutest sprinkling of freckles across the bridge of her nose. Her eyes are a rich green color I don’t believe I’ve ever seen before. I could get lost in those eyes. Your turn. What are you looking for in a man?”
Turnabout was fair play, but she didn’t want to answer his question. Honesty would make her vulnerable. Even more so than she already was, but she wouldn’t leave him hanging. She gripped his hands a little tighter. “I’m looking for a guy who will cook for me, even if it’s frozen pizza.”
He rewarded her with a chuckle.
“It’d be great if he didn’t mind that my career path might take me away from home some nights.”
His eyes searched hers. She wished she knew what he was hoping to find, so she could be sure to convey it. “What else?”
“I’d love it if he liked me for me instead of for my family’s money.”
“And?”
“If I’m being honest, I think I’m falling for a man who fits all my requirements in addition to being handsome and making my heart race.”
He released her hands and cupped her face with his right hand, rubbing his thumb along her jaw line. Then he traced her lips with his index finger. His head lowered to hers, and he kissed her, but the feather-light touch wasn’t enough. She wanted more. “Falling for me, are you?”
“Don’t get a big head. I could’ve been describing anyone.”
“I don’t think so. You’re here with me. That’s telling, Cate.”
“Shut up and kiss me.”
