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A tightness pinched his features, but he appeared to be making an effort when he said, “I see you’re keeping watch over our dear Shay.”

“She does a good job keeping watch over herself.”

Shep’s good-natured chuckle contradicted every interaction we’d ever had, throwing me entirely off balance. “Perhaps we could have a moment to speak alone, Miss Honeycutt?”

I exchanged a look with Bennett that I hoped conveyed both What the heck is happening? and Did I hear him right? with a dash of Please don’t let him kill me.

But maybe this was good. Maybe after yesterday, Shep had realized what an asset I was.

With his eyes on me, Bennett nudged his head in the direction of Shep, encouraging me to go. I stood on leaden legs and followed the older man, though I cast a pleading glance at Cam’s closed door, wishing it would spring open so he could save me.

Shep stepped into his brightly lit office. The morning sun sent golden rays through the arched windows onto every gleaming wood surface, highlighting the dust motes in the air. As the door clicked shut behind me, the subtle scent of cedar and lavender caressed my nose.

“Please have a seat.” Shep motioned toward the chair before his desk as he took the one behind it. He sat with his back ramrod straight, hands clasped loosely on the wood before him. His gray eyes landed on me, and I fought the urge to cower in my chair.

Instead, I threaded an errant lock of hair behind my ear with a hand that somehow remained steady. “Is there something I can help you with?”

He smiled, though the expression didn’t touch his eyes. “You did well yesterday.”

Shock rattled me. “I— Thank you.” Ugh. Why did that sound like a question?

“I wasn’t so sure about your presence here, but my wife has suggested that I get to know you.” He said the last words with a flick of his fingers that suggested he found the notion ridiculous.

My stomach sank. Oh, dear…

“It seems,” he continued, “that she finds you quite…compelling.”

I swallowed. “Y-yes. I find her interesting as well.”

“Mmm. I’m sure you do. She’s a remarkable woman. Refined.”

My fingers twisted together in my lap, hidden beneath the overhang of the desk. A panel of sunlight across my arms warmed my skin uncomfortably.

“And it seems you’re becoming close with my son as well?”

At that, my heart decided to take up tap dancing. “We’re friendly.”

His eyes narrowed. “I can’t thank you enough for the time you’ve spent helping us out of our little predicament. It seems as if some of these outlandish approaches are working. I hear Carley Gentry may post about us on one of those…online things.”

“Yes, TikTok.” I tried to muster some enthusiasm, but it came out flat. My gaze strayed to the spines of the organized books shelved behind him. Red, blue, black…

“How much longer do you think you’ll need to complete your goals?”

I paused, attempting to parse his meaning. “How much—” My head tilted in question.

“Yours is not a permanent position, Miss Honeycutt. You’re acting more in a consulting capacity. Once the predicament has passed, your services will no longer be required.”

The organ in my chest tripped over itself. “Oh, I wasn’t aware.”

His face took on a contrite expression, but something about it rang hollow. “I’m sorry if that was not made clear to you upfront.”

Unable to speak, I waved my hand as if it mattered little to me.

He stared, unblinking. “So, how much longer, then?”

Did he really want an answer right now? My mind zipped into calculation mode, and I hazarded a generous guess: “If this post helps, then maybe a few weeks?”

“Perfect.” He hadn’t strayed from his rigid posture, but his hands unclasped, turning to rest palms-up as if in entreaty. “I find myself in an uncomfortable position, Miss Honeycutt.”