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Raina’s breath whooshed from her lungs. “Michael’s parents.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“All right. Um ... where? On the phone?”
“No, they’ve asked if you would be willing to meet them tomorrow if you’re going to still be in town. Michael has a full day and then some kind of event party. But they’d like to meet you for a late breakfast in the lodge restaurant.”
“I ... um...” She glanced at Vince, who gave her a subtle nod. She was stumbling all over her words, not sure she wanted to say yes, but couldn’t bring herself to say no. “Okay. Yes, I ... we ... can do that. Thank you.”
“I’m guessing you two need a ride back to the lodge?”
“That would be great,” Vince said, “thank you.”
Vince took Raina’s hand and led her to the sheriff’s cruiser. She couldn’t help noticing Vince’s limp. “Did you pull your stitches loose?”
“I haven’t looked.” He paused. “How do you feel about home-cooked meals?”
“Love them. I often cook at home.”
He raised a brow at her. “You do?”
“Yes. Why?”
“My parents want me to come to lunch on Sunday. I wondered if you’d go with me.”
Raina thought about it. Meeting his parents? As ... a friend? Or more? Deciding not to analyze it, she simply said, “Sure, I’d love to.”
An hour later, Joseph pulled into the condo parking lot. “I know you said you didn’t need to get checked out, but we do have medical staff at the lodge if you’d like to get looked at.”
Vince looked at Raina. “You need it?”
She shook her head. “I’m fine, thanks. I just want a shower and to sleep for a while if that’s all right.”
The men acquiesced, and she soon found herself in the living area of the condo. She really needed to update Penny and the others, but right now, she was out of strength.
Vince joined her after saying goodbye to Joseph. “If you need me to, I can get my own space.”
“No. I don’t want to be alone. Please stay?”
“Of course.” He pointed to her room. “Go. Take a shower, curl up, and go to sleep.”
She slipped into his arms and gave him a hug, relishing the feel of him against her. Alive. Warm. Safe. “Thank you for sticking with me through all of this. I wouldn’t have made it without you.” Like literally, she’d probably be dead, shot by Leslie Baldridge. She pulled back. “What’s going to happen to Christopher Baldridge? Do you think he knew about it?”
“I have no idea. I’m hoping to have an update in the morning sometime. I know law enforcement is going gung ho with their investigation in California, so ... all I can say is we’ll wait and hear how it goes.”
“Okay.”
“Now go. Stop thinking.”
She snorted. A low, funny sound that made him smile. “Right,” she said. “Stop thinking. As if.” She raised on her tiptoesand kissed his cheek. At least she was aiming for his cheek, but he turned his head and met her lips.
And that was just fine with her. He kissed her with tender care, confidence, and tightly leashed passion. When he lifted his head, he studied her, bringing a hand up to stroke her cheek. “Go, Raina. I’ll be out here if you need anything.”
“Like another kiss?”
A smile ghosted his lips. “Not tonight. It’s been a long day for both of us.” But his eyes said he really liked the idea of another kiss.
She sighed. “Okay. You’re right. I’m procrastinating. I’m ... jumpy and anxious. That’s normal, right?”
