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The bigger problem was how to convince her to let him stay or to move to town for now. She’d need to be here for the renters and the boaters. She had Michelle, but it was hard to say for how long. And Michelle was new—she couldn’t handle all the problems that might come up.
Nineteen
With a last swipe of the sponge, the kitchen sparkled. Jon closed the dishwasher and started it. “How about ice cream in town for dessert? I think the storm will hold off long enough. And, Annie, I’d like you to consider staying at the Blue Bonnet for now.”
She had expected this conversation all day. Worrying about what might happen next was not in her nature. “I’ll be fine here, Jon.”
His green eyes were troubled. “But you’re alone.” He held up a hand of protest. “I’m not saying you’re not competent. You are an amazing law enforcement officer. Smart, fast, resilient. But that doesn’t mean you’ll be safe. Too many LEOs die in the line of duty every year. I don’t want you to be one of them.”
“‘Safe’?” She lifted a brow. “Safety isn’t my first priority. If it was, I wouldn’t wear this uniform. I’m here to aid and protect others. To preserve our wilderness area. None of us know how many days God has written for our lives. We have to do the job before us and not worry about that. A Christian doesn’t worry about safety. We’re already safe with our eternal home prepared for us. On this earth, we do what God has put intoour hands. For me, that’s law enforcement. It’s justice. That’s my priority.”
“Taking ordinary precautions isn’t wrong. You wouldn’t run out in front of a car or leap over a cliff.”
“You jumped off a cliff to save Kylie,” she reminded him.
The lines between his eyes eased. “And I’d do it again to save her.”
“And I do my job to save people too.”
His chin jutted out. “But a little care couldn’t hurt.”
“Kylie isn’t in the house, so I can sleep with my gun on the nightstand. That’s taking care. I’ll arm the alarm system after you leave. I’m surprised you’re not asking to stay with me.”
His gaze raked over her, and he stepped closer to run his thumb over her lower lip. “I’m not sure I’m strong enough to resist temptation. Our wedding night can’t come soon enough for me.”
Warmth spread in her chest, and her mouth went dry. “Me neither,” she whispered.
She told herself to back away, but instead, she moved close enough to feel the way his heart pounded in his chest. His lips came down on hers, and she closed her eyes as his arms pulled her closer. This was where she was supposed to be. Who needed safety?
It seemed he retreated too soon, and she made a small noise and tried to pull him back, but his hands moved to her shoulders in a slight push. A flush stained his cheeks, and his eyes were heavy lidded.
“See what I mean?” A crooked smile lifted his lips. “You’re way too tempting. Come on, work with me here. The Blue Bonnet?”
She wanted to indignantly reiterate all her earlier arguments,but she knew love drove everything he said. If she loved him—and she did—she should meet him halfway. What did it cost her to agree to stay in town a few nights? Nothing but a little gas driving back and forth.
“Okay, but only on one condition.”
“Name it.”
“We stop for a turtle sundae and I can get the biggest one in the shop.”
“Done.”
“I’ll get some clothes.” She beckoned for him to follow her to the bedroom where she tossed items from her dresser and closet into a backpack. “I’ll take enough for three days. I hope we find Glenn by then and locate the core group associated with him.”
“Three days? You think you can do it that quickly?”
“I’m going to try. If I run out of clothes, I can wash them or come back for more.” She zipped the backpack. “You realize I’ll need to come check on things here and make sure the cabins are all right. I’ve got maintenance on the roofs happening on some of the cabins. I’ll need to oversee that and pay the contractor. The world doesn’t stop because two guys are after me, Jon. I can’t walk away from the business here.”
“Maybe you should give it to Sarah.”
His words hit hard, and she set the backpack on the floor. “Just because I talked to her today doesn’t mean I want her heavily intertwined in my life. I’d have to teach her this business from the ground up. That would take months. I’d need to live here with her and show her how everything works.”
“A temporary situation.”
“One I’m not ready for. At least not yet.” She tossed in hersound machine, then grabbed the handle of the backpack and went to the door.
He stepped out to block her path. “Don’t be upset with me, love. This is for your own good. If you didn’t see how much she regrets what she did, then you’re blind.”
