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I walked in and stopped behind her, wrapping my arms around her body and resting my chin on her head. “You okay?”
“Who did all of this?”
“I think it was Blayze or your father. Maybe both.”
Her body melted into mine. “I want to be brave, Ryan. I don’t want this lunatic to make me afraid to be in my own home.”
“I know,” I whispered. “I’m so sorry we haven’t found out who he is yet.”
“What if it’s someone I know?”
Turning her, I narrowed my eyes. “What makes you say that?”
She chewed on her lip. “When you mentioned he had to know the layout of the apartment, it got me thinking. I went to school with one of the construction guys. He used to have a crush on me, and during our senior year, he asked me out.”
“Did you go out with him?”
Shaking her head, she replied, “No. I only liked him as a friend.” “What’s his name? I’ll make sure Detective Billings checks him out.”
She gave me a look. “It’s David Keller.”
“The guy you introduced me to? Doesn’t his father own the construction company that worked on the entire building?”
“He does.”
Frowning, I said, “Didn’t he also mention having a girlfriend?”
Morgan began chewing on her thumbnail. “Yes, but that doesn’t mean anything.”
“That’s true. I’ll call Billings in the morning and give her the information. Doesn’t hurt to find out where he was earlier today and this evening.”
She nodded, then sighed. “I’m exhausted.”
Taking her hand in mine, I led her over to the bathroom. “Get ready for bed, and I’ll double check the alarm and check in with Nox.”
Morgan yawned. “I’m too tired to do anything but crawl into bed.”
I walked over and pulled the covers down. Morgan climbed into the bed and lay on her side, her hand tucked under her face. I knew she was going to fall asleep fast. It was nearly two in the morning, and the store would be opening at ten tomorrow.
“I’ll only be a few minutes,” I said.
She mumbled something as she snuggled deeper into the pillow. I kissed her on the forehead, whispered that I loved her, and then headed back into the main living area. After one quick check that all the doors were locked and the alarm was set, I texted Rodney, who was sitting in a vehicle in the back parking lot next to my truck. He’d arrived shortly before we got back to the apartment.
Me: I’m heading to bed. Everything’s locked up and secure.
Rodney: I’ve got a guy up front, and I’ll be back here. Try to get some sleep.
Me: Thanks, Rodney.
I pulled up the security alarm app and looked at each camera. Once I was sure everything was up and running, I headed to the bathroom and quickly changed for bed. After climbing under the covers, I wrapped my arm around Morgan and drew her against my body. She sighed in contentment as I kissed the back of her head and whispered again that I loved her.
I was both mentally and physically exhausted…and it only took a few moments before my eyes drifted shut.
A week and a half later, I slowly walked up to the gelding I’d been working with on my parents’ ranch. “Okay, buddy. Let’s hang out a bit, shall we?”
Ranger was standing next to a log, his lead draped over his neck so that if he wanted to walk away at any time, he was free to do so. I leaned over his back and gave him a bit of my weight before removing it. He didn’t make a move. Trying again, I put more weight on him.
He lifted his front leg and kicked at the dirt once before looking back at me. I couldn’t help but smile.
“Was that permission, or a ‘stay the fuck off my back’?”
He whinnied, and I nodded. “Permission it is.”
Walking to the other side, I repeated the process until I eventually draped my entire body over him. Ranger bopped his head a few times but remained where he was. Each horse was different when it came to saddle training. Some were curious about what the end game was going to be. Others, well…they simply didn’t want anyone or anything on their backs.
I picked up the blanket I’d left on the ground and showed it to Ranger. “See, it’s a blanket. Go on, smell it.”
Ranger bounced his head with excitement.
“Yeah? I think you’re going to love going for rides.”
I ran my hand down his neck and along his body, then back and forth over his back. Gently placing the blanket on him, I moved back to his front. I gave him a good scratch behind his ears and laughed when his upper lip quivered.
“You’re not bothered by that blanket at all, are you, boy?”
Ranger lifted his head and started to nibble on my baseball cap.
