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“I can help.”

The offer flies from my mouth before I think it through.

Her eyes flash my way. “That’s really nice of you, but⁠—”

“I mean, if you already have help,” I rush to add, interrupting her.

“No, I was gonna say, I did ask Nate, but if…”

Her sentence drifts off and I quickly fill the awkward silence.

“Right. Well, let me know if you need a hand.”

“Sure.”

Dana smiles tightly and nods, before she turns her back to finish putting away her groceries.

Fuck, I’ve made this whole exchange awkward.

“Dana…”

I walk up behind her and lightly touch her shoulder to get her to look at me. Her eyes are shielded when she finally does.

“Listen. I’d love to help, regardless. If both Nate and I use our vehicles, we’ll have you moved in here in no time.”

“Okay, but⁠—”

“No buts,” I stop her. “Let me know when and I’ll be there.”

“Are you sure you have time?”

My eyes get caught on a strand of her hair stuck to her bottom lip, and, without thinking, I reach out and brush it loose with the pad of my thumb. I feel a puff of air escape her lips as I remove my hand.

I’m playing a dangerous game and I know it.

“I’ll make time,” I assure her, taking a step back. “It’ll give us a chance to go over security as well.”

“Security?”

“You’re gonna need some, living out here by yourself.”

I can tell from her expression she’s not sold on the idea. Or maybe she feels I’m overstepping. Either way, I’m going to make sure she’s safe up here, with or without her cooperation.

“I don’t think that’s necessary, at least not for now.”

“You found a dead man on a mountain trail up from your property line, and as we speak the sheriff’s department is crawling all over the old quarry just a few miles up the road, so I beg to differ. I think now is a perfect time.”

“What’s going on up at the quarry?” She immediately wants to know.

I’m about to tell her I don’t know yet, when the phone in my pocket starts to vibrate.

“It’s here,” Tessa yells excitedly in my ear when I answer.

“What’s there?”

“The murder scene.”

I turn away from Dana and move toward the front of the house, in a belated attempt to shield her from this news.