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“Do you like ranching? It seems like a strange choice for you guys to get into. Did any of you know anything about it before you bought this one?”
“Dad had a brother who owned a ranch. We’d spend a lot of time out there on school holidays until he died. Best memories I had as a kid.” His face grew serious. “Now that we’ve eaten, we’ve got to talk about your brother.”
Crap. She’d known it was coming. Didn’t make it any easier to hear. She started to shake. Her teeth chattered.
“Hey, he can’t get to you here.” He carefully lifted her onto his lap. “You’re safe here, sunshine.”
Her breath came in sharp pants.
“Sunshine, listen to me,” he said firmly. “I want you to hear my words. I am not going to let him hurt you. Ever again. I promise you this. I will not fail you.”
It was the feel of him as much as his words that penetrated her haze of panic. He felt so strong. The woodsy, masculine scent of him soothed the worry.
“He got out, didn’t he?”
“You knew he would, baby girl.”
She nodded. She’d known it. But it had been so nice to have a bit of peace, knowing he was locked away. Just for a little while.
“How come you said you hadn’t heard before?”
“I wanted you to eat something before we talked about him. The judge let him out on bail. He’s allowed back in his house.”
“Right next door?” she squeaked. She hadn’t expected that. Hadn’t thought it through. But of course he’d would go back there, where else could he go?
“Considering his disability, the judge took into consideration that it wouldn’t be easy for him to live somewhere else. Somewhere that wasn’t modified for his needs.”
“So he’s next door. He’s already back in our house. His house.”
“Yeah, baby girl. But he’s not allowed close
to you.”
“That won’t stop him.”
He grasped her chin, lifting her face. “No, but I will.”
God, she wanted to believe him. So much. So much it hurt.
He dipped his face down to hers and his mouth nearly brushed hers. “Trust me.”
She leaned closer, and he back away, leaving her feeling dizzy. Shit. What was she doing? She’d nearly kissed him. Was she insane?
He settled her back onto bed, his face a mask. Regret bit deep.
Then he picked up the bowl. “Do you want anything else?”
“No, thank you,” the words were barely out before he was gone, leaving her lying there, wondering what kind of idiot kept going after a man who was still in love with a dead woman.
“Got any more of that coffee?” Flick asked as she walked into the kitchen.
Mia looked up at her, hastily hiding her own cup behind her back. “Sh, are you trying to get me into trouble?” The other woman looked around with wide eyes as though expecting the boogeyman to jump out and steal her cup.
Flick grinned, ignoring the ache in her cheek. While the swelling had gone down considerably over the last couple of days, and she could now see out of that eye, the bruising had gotten worse.
She’d been at the Malone ranch for three days. Three days where, despite the underlying unease that Spencer would strike at any time, she felt safer than she had in years. She didn’t have to constantly worry about walking into a nightmare. She didn’t have to live on tenterhooks, waiting for the volcano she lived with to blow, never knowing when it was going to happen.
It was amazing. She’d always felt safe visiting here. It was part of the reason she came so much. But now, she didn’t have to go home. She didn’t have to return to the monster. Oh, she had no doubt he would come for her. He wasn’t going to let her go.
