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"It's the middle of the night."
"There must be something nearby."
"Not that close."
"I guess I could stay here. I don't think anyone will come back now, do you?"
"Probably not, but I can stay in the guest room, if that will make you feel better. If anyone tries to get in, they'll have to go through me."
"If they break in with a gun, they could go through you," I couldn't help pointing out. Although I had to admit he was a formidable-looking guy with more tattoos on his very sexy muscled chest. I licked my lips, forcing my gaze back to his face. It was probably crazy to let him stay, but I didn't want to be alone. "I appreciate the offer," I said. "And I wouldn't mind if you stayed."
"Then I'll stay."
As we stared at each other, I became aware of a new kind of tension. I did not need to complicate my life any further. "I'm going upstairs then," I said.
"Goodnight."
"Goodnight." I walked quickly down the hall and up the stairs. When I got into my mother's bedroom, I locked the door, put my phone on the bedside table, and laid down on the bed once more. After another second, I grabbed the red sweater and wrapped myself up in it.
I felt scared and alone. I needed Dani. I needed my mother. I needed someone. But at least I had Kade downstairs. I didn't know anything about him. But my mom had known him well enough to invite him to stay in her house. She wouldn't have let someone she didn't trust get close to her, so I had to trust him, too. I hoped I wasn't making a mistake.
* * *
I hadn't thought I would sleep at all, but at some point, I drifted off. When I woke up, the sun was coming through the curtains and the clock said half-past eight. I scrambled out of bed, grabbed my phone, unlocked my door, and moved down the stairs. The house was extremely quiet. When I reached the kitchen, I smelled coffee. In fact, there was a full pot. And next to the coffeemaker was a handwritten note.
Went to work. Call me if you need me. Kade
He'd left his phone number as well. I appreciated that. Although it felt oddly intimate and strangely weird to feel such a strong connection to a man I barely knew. But then, everything that had happened since my phone rang yesterday afternoon had been strange and upsetting.
I filled a mug with coffee, feeling better and more in control with each sip. It was a new day. The sun was shining, which helped. Maybe it would give me some light, some insight into this world of secrets and lies that I'd landed myself in.
Taking my coffee with me, I wandered around the house. Everything seemed in order. Although the front door no longer had the dead bolt on as Kade had obviously left at some point. That made me wish he'd woken me, so I could have put it on. But at least the lower lock was still intact. I turned the bolt, then made my way back to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator, realizing I hadn't eaten since lunchtime yesterday. My mother's refrigerator was well-stocked, with a bowl of cut-up fruit and a Greek yogurt calling my name.
As I ate breakfast, I checked my messages. Dani wanted me to cover for her later in the day, because she had to leave early for a dental appointment. That was obviously something I couldn't do.
A text from Ray was next, asking me how it had gone with my sister, which reminded me I still had to have that conversation with Dani.
But how was I going to have that discussion after I told her our mother was alive?I could feel my dream job slipping away, which wasn't really all that surprising. Whenever my dreams got close to coming true, something happened to end them. It was the story of my life, a story that had started when my mom died just after the happiest birthday party Dani and I had ever had. Good was always followed by bad. I'd learned that a long time ago.
I still had a few days before I had to get back to Ray. First things first.
I took out my phone and punched in Dani's number.
"Hi," my sister said, a cheerful note in her voice. "Did you see my text? Can you cover the store this afternoon?"
"No, I can't."
"Why not? Do you have plans with Jeff?"
"No."
"Then what's the problem, Brynn?"
I could already hear the change in her tone. Dani didn't like it when I didn't go along with her plans.
"Brynn," she said impatiently. "What is going on with you?"
"A lot," I said. "So much, I don't know where to start."
