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“Maybe not.” Buck pulled up an email that referenced a small town in France called La Chapelle-Saint-Maurice. I read it while he typed something on his phone.
It was one of the few I remembered reading when it was initially sent. In it, Barb said it was a place she’d always wanted to visit. Given she never set foot outside of her apartment, I’d chalked it up to nonsense.
Buck set his phone down.
“Oh my God, are you really going to make me ask who you contacted?”
He laughed. “I sent a message to Cope, but I haven’t heard back yet.”
“What about?”
“The name of the town is familiar.”
“In what way?”
“That’s why I need to talk to Cope. I can’t remember the details.”
“Do you even know where he and Ali are?”
“Need-to-know.”
“You, or me?”
Buck smiled. “Both of us, Stella. I can assure you, there isn’t anything relating to your aunt I won’t tell you as soon as I learn of it.”
“I appreciate that, Buck.”
“Is there anything more you want to work on tonight?”
As much as I wished I could keep going, I was exhausted. Buck stood and held his hand out to me.
“Come on, Stella, let’s get you to bed.”
I put my hand in his, and he led me to the bedroom we’d been in earlier.
“You know where the bathroom is. There are towels in the cabinet under the sink. If there’s anything else you need, let me know.” He walked over and opened another door. “You can keep your clothes in the closet or in the dresser. They’re both empty.” Buck took a step closer, leaned in, and kissed my forehead. “Goodnight, darlin’.”
“Where are you sleeping?”
“I’ll be in the room across the hall. If you need anything, just holler and I’ll come running.”
“I thought…”
“I know, but we’re both dead on our feet, darlin’. When we’re together for the first time, I want to be wide awake and I want you to be too.”
This was unexpected. Earlier, when he held me while I cried, I didn’t doubt for a minute that Buck and I would share a bed tonight.
This was better, though. I mean, we hardly knew each other. Having drunken sex after Cope and Ali’s wedding would’ve been way different than him climbing into bed next to me in the cabin we’d be sharing for God knew how long. No, Buck was right to sleep in the other room.
&n
bsp; “Goodnight, then.”
He kissed my forehead again. “I’m right across the hall if you need me,” he repeated.
I took a shower, brushed my teeth, and got in bed, wondering if I should’ve asked Buck to stay. Having his body wrapped around mine felt so good, so comforting, almost like it was made just for that purpose.
I fluffed the pillow under my head and rolled to my side. When I heard my cell phone vibrate, I rolled back over and grabbed it from the bedside table.
