And once again, I thought about the motherfucker who was stalking her. If he dared bother her again, he wouldn’t like what he had to deal with.
After the dogs calmed down, absconding with the pillows, she sat up, peering down at me with a challenging look.
“I’ll be right back. Do not go anywhere. I’ll steal your clothes if you try.” She eased from under me, pinching my arm in the process.
Her threat caused a grin. Only after she went to the bathroom did I sit up, noticing she’d cleaned up the room, putting a bunch of items in boxes. She was finally ready to let go of the past.
To a point.
Maybe I was as well. It was about time. Past time. I grabbed the remote, flicking on the television. She had something on her dresser. I moved closer, realizing it was an old yearbook. Unable to help myself, I flipped the already open pages, finding her high school picture.
Oh, my God. She was so adorable. I continued flipping, hoping to find other pictures.
I noticed a photograph that seemed familiar. When I pulled the yearbook closer, I shook my head, unable to be certain. How many people did I know in this town?
There were a couple of familiar faces, including Raptor. Shit. Now I had something to tease him with.
Her presence over my shoulder brought another smile. “Snooping? Don’t you dare look at my picture. I have goofy hair.”
As I pulled the book away, she tried to grab it. “You look sweet and innocent.”
When she snorted, her eyes opened wide as she laughed. “You would have said something entirely different back then.” She pointed to another picture.
“And who is that?”
“That’s my best friend,” she pointed out. “Remember Darlene? The woman who helped you find me? A true rebel.”
“Mmm… I think I like this girl.”
“Yeah, well, I doubt you should. Her dad is the chief of police.” She took a step away like I was going to have a seizure.
“Great. No wonder she hates me.”
“She doesn’t hate you. She just worries when strangers suddenly make an appearance in my life.”
As usual, my thoughts drifted away. “Maybe I do like her after all. My baby needs protection.”
“From you? You’re right.”
A nagging feeling lingered in my gut, although I wasn’t about to say a word until I had the man checked out. Was it possible she hadn’t recognized the stranger who’d made an appearance in her life? Sure, anyone could purposely alter their looks. I reminded myself that the dude had been wearing a ballcap.
Besides, the guy in the picture reminded me of one of those football players, big and burly. Not the sniveling man I’d noticed. Of course I could be making something out of nothing.
“Why don’t we try and get some rest,” she suggested, but the look on her face was borderline evil.
I pulled her into my arms, brushing the tips of my fingers down her back. “I didn’t tell you I was finished with you yet. Did I?”
“I kinda hoped you’d say that. But we do have a celebration to go to later.”
“I thought we were celebrating.”
“We are.”
“Then this is enough,” I told her. “More than enough.”
Even before I dumped her on the bed, a story on the smokejumpers was the lead on the morning news.
We both turned to watch and I could tell seeing the condition of the mountain was bothering her.
