“Anyone,” I say, and he nods.
“And…well…It’s the holidays. I don’t think we need to ruin Nina’s.”
He’s right. Knowing there is any chance that Richard could get off would devastate her.
“I won’t say a word.” I blow out a breath. “What happened with Mrs. Fields?”
He huffs a laugh. “She gave me an earful the entire way. I’m expected to investigate. Pronto.”
I chuckle. “She was convinced a woman was out there.”
“Oh…she told me all about the woman. She was scandalized by her choice in dress.” He grins and I roll my eyes.
“It’s Christmas. Lots of people dress up for the occasion,” I say, picking at lint on my pajama pants. “Not me, but some do.” I laugh.
“Personally, I like this look better.” He grins, and my stomach dips.
I rush on with questions about Mrs. Fields to fill the silence. “Was anyone at her house?”
“Tom met us at the door.”
“Her son?”
“Yeah.” He rubs at his chin. “He’s in town for the holiday. Her daughter, Sandy, is too, but she was asleep.”
“How the heck did she manage to sneak outside? She was out there for at least five minutes,” I say, worried that it could happen again.
“Tom was taking a shower. When he got out and realized she was gone, he was about to come searching for her.” He shakes his head. “He said she’s been hypervigilant because of the recent thefts in the area.”
There has been some recent activity in the neighborhood. Mostly little things. Missing Christmas décor and yard ornaments. Nothing as scary as break-ins. Not that I like the thought of someone nosing around my house in the dark, taking my things.
“What did she plan to do in her nightgown?” I ask, lifting my brows skyward.
His shoulders shake when he laughs. “That’s a great question, one that you’ll have to ask her come tomorrow.”
I peer toward the picture window, out into the dark night. “Do you think she saw someone?” I ask, looking at Nick once more.
He runs a hand back through his hair. “Doubtful. She wasn’t wearing her glasses, and the woman’s eyes are terrible.” He shakes his head. “Thankfully, I don’t have to be the bad guy who reprimands her about how unsafe it is to take matters into her own hands. That’ll be Thomas’s job tomorrow.”
I whistle. “Yeah, not a good idea for her to be chasing after suspected criminals.”
He nods, rubbing at his scruffy chin.
“You seem to know them all pretty well,” I say, curious.
He clears his throat, looking away. “Char is—was—my fiancé’s aunt. It’s how I ended up with my house.”
My mouth opens and then shuts. I’m not sure what to say.
“Well, I’d better get going,” Nick says, standing up and stretching. “I just wanted to stop back by because I told you I would.”
Instantly, my mood sours. He’s been here for a whole ten minutes. I know he’s had a long day, but I was hoping for a bit more time with him. It sounds selfish even to my own ears, but we’ve yet to have our first date, and I’m already insecure where he’s concerned.
“Is everything okay, Nick?” The words are out of my mouth before I can think twice about them. “It’s just…since the night I cancelled our date, you’ve been a bit MIA.” His features harden, and I rush on. “I know you’ve been busy. I’m not trying to push or sound needy. I only want to ensure you’re…good.” I blow a piece of hair out of my eyes. “I’ve been nervous that you’re angry with me about sending you away that night. When Nina showed up.”
Nick stands, making his way toward me, hand extended to helpme out of the chair. When I’m on my two feet, he pulls me in so we’re chest to chest, our breaths mingling in the small space. “I’m not angry. I get your reasoning.” He looks down at me, eyes roaming over my face. “I promise I’m not avoiding you or our date. This has everything to do with work and nothing to do with you and me.”
He places his fingertips under my chin, lifting my head so that we’re staring into each other’s eyes. My entire body is alive. My chest rises and falls, my heart beating out of my chest.
