AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“There’s close to three inches, I’d say, and still coming down heavily.” Alex looked at her. “I don’t think you should try to leave in this. I hear ice too.”
“Damn it.”
“Mama!” Zoey said from behind her.
“I’m sorry, but I think we’re going to have to stay here tonight, Zoey.”
“Yay!” The little girl jumped up and down, clapping her hands, then ran into the living room.
“I guess we shouldn’t have stayed.”
“This snowstorm happened fast. You know that’s possible here. Maybe this is March’s last hoorah. Let’s get back inside and I’ll show you where you can sleep.” He entered the kitchen. “I only have one spare room.”
“That’s fine. I’m sure she’d be scared by herself in a strange home.”
“Okay. Follow me. I can give you a T-shirt to sleep in, but I don’t have anything for her.”
“She’ll be fine in her shirt and underwear.” Dylan tilted her head. “Are you working tomorrow? We can leave in the morning when you do.”
“No. I’m working from home, so don’t worry about it.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
He nodded, walked out of the kitchen, and down the hallway. He stopped at the first door, opened it, and inclined his head for them to enter. Dylan smiled as she glanced around the pretty room. The large bed had a white wrought iron headboard with a steamer trunk sitting at the bottom of it. A white chest of drawers and a dresser, sat against the walls. Another door led to a bathroom. Dark blue carpet covered the floor.
“This is so pretty, Alex. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. The TV works, so make yourselves at home. I’ll see what I can make for dinner if you’re hungry.”
“We are, if you don’t mind.”
“It’s fine. I’m hungry too. It’s been a while since I ate, and it was only a sandwich. I’m sure I have something I can make.” He turned from the door and walked off.
“Zoey? We have to sleep here tonight, so please be a good girl.”
“I’m always good, Mama.” Zoey frowned at her mother.
Dylan grinned. “Yes, you are, but this isn’t like home or Nana’s house. You must be extra good here.”
“Okay, I will be,” Zoey promised.
After a quick dinner of grilled cheese sandwiches with chicken noodle soup, Dylan carried Zoey to bed. The little girl dropped off quickly once she finished eating. She placed her on the bed, removed her outer clothes, slid her under the blanket, then kissed her forehead. She stared down at her and blinked tears away. What would she have done if Zoey had been injured or killed because of Travis’ addiction? No doubt, she’d be in prison now for murder because if Zoey had been killed, Travis would no longer be among the living.
She took a deep breath, blew it out, then walked out of the bedroom, pulling the door almost closed. She wanted to be able to hear her if she awoke.
She entered the living room to see Alex stretched out on the sofa. She walked to the couch, pushed his legs off, and sat. He looked at her and her heart slammed into her ribs. Could she do this? Could she see if they had anything between them? What if they did, and he hurt her like others have? Life was all about taking chances, and looking at Alex, she knew she wanted to take that chance.
She watched him sit up, and stare at her. All he had to do was look at her and she knew she was in deep trouble. She ran her eyes over his strong jaw, then leaned forward and ran the tip of her finger along the scar along his jaw.
“How did you get this?”
“A bullet grazed me.”
“Tell me.”
“I was on a case with three other agents, Creed McBride, Eli Hawkins, and Mac Carter. We found a group of rustlers we’d been looking for. We were in position, and Creed nodded for Eli to call out to them. He stepped out from behind a tree and told them who we were and to raise their hands. But they just stared at us. I knew something very wrong was about to go down. I heard a noise behind me, and I turned to take aim, but the second I heard a gunshot, I felt this pain along my jaw, and I could feel the blood rolling down my neck.” He shook his head.
“You don’t have to continue.”
