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Jolene’s lips pinched in disapproval. “I thought you went yesterday?”
“I did, but he’s still fighting for his life, Mother. Don’t you care?”
“Of course I care, but I need the car this afternoon and your father is busy.”
The girl shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. I’ll find a ride.”
Obviously outmaneuvered by her daughter, Jolene returned her attention to Lia.
“It was good to see you, Lia. And think about what I said.” She reached out to pat Lia’s arm. “This store has been a part of Pike history. It would be a shame to see it closed.”
With her warning delivered, Jolene strolled toward her impatient daughter and out of the store. The door closed with a sharp bang, and a few seconds later, Jolene and Sunny disappeared from view.
“That sounded like a threat.”
Lia wasn’t startled to hear Kaden’s voice. She’d sensed him enter the store a few minutes before. It wasn’t the sound of footsteps or even the rich, musky scent that was so much a part of him that alerted her. It was the electric buzz in the air. As if he carried around his own force field.
Or maybe it was because she was so acutely aware of him.
An unnerving thought.
Pressing her hand against her stomach to ease the sudden flutter of butterflies, Lia turned to watch Kaden stroll toward her. He’d recently showered and his long hair was still damp as it brushed his broad shoulders. He’d shaved and he was wearing a new flannel shirt and jeans, proving he’d spent at least part of the day before shopping. Not that it mattered what he was wearing. He would be drop-dead gorgeous in an old sweatshirt and jogging pants.
Lia sucked in a slow, deep breath, battling back the heat that threatened to stain her cheeks.
“Yeah, not a very subtle one,” she said as he stopped next to her.
He gazed down, his expression oddly tense. “I never thought I might be putting you in danger when I agreed to stay here.”
“Danger?” She snorted. “I’m not afraid of Jolene Erickson.”
“Maybe not Jolene, but I’m sure the mayor has some influence in this town. He could make things very difficult for you.”
“I have some influence of my own.”
Lia wasn’t bragging. Watching her mother struggle, however, had taught her that money provided a sense of security. Not just because she never had to worry about bills or a roof over her head, but it protected her from bullies. If Tate Erickson wanted a fight, she’d give him one. She could fund a candidate to run against him for mayor. Or hire a lawyer to sue him for harassment . . .
“I don’t have any trouble believing that.” A smile touched Kaden’s lips before it quickly faded. “But it’s not just about the threat to your store. There’s someone out there who doesn’t want me poking into the past.” He reached out to brush his fingers down her cheek. “I would never forgive myself if something happened to you.”
Pleasure inched down her spine, tiny sparks of electric bliss, but Lia refused to be distracted. “If I’m in danger, it’s not because of you. Before you ever arrived in town I was insisting the skeleton belonged to the woman I saw fifteen years ago.”
Lia didn’t add that she was safer with him staying in the same building.
Before she could change the subject, Della rushed into the store, her face flushed. She was a short, solidly built woman with a square face that was deeply wrinkled around her brown eyes. Her hair was dyed coal black and tightly curled against her head, giving her the unfortunate impression that she was wearing a helmet. She could never be called pretty, but she was kind and dependable and utterly devoted to Lia.
Pulling off her wool coat, she moved around the counter and hung it next to the window. Then she turned to Lia with an overly innocent expression.
“Sorry I’m late.” Her dark gaze moved to take in the silent Kaden. “We had extra prayers to say this morning.”
“I bet.” Lia rolled her eyes, resigned to the knowledge she was the center of local gossip. “I’ll be gone this morning, Della, but Wayne should be here by noon. Call if you need anything.”
Not waiting for the older woman to answer, Lia walked down the aisle and into the narrow hallway. She’d reached the back door when Kaden caught up with her.
“Are you busy this morning?” he asked.
Lia grabbed her parka, which was hanging on the wall. “I want to check out Judge Armstrong’s garage while it’s still early.”
“You read my mind.” Kaden stepped into the office, slipping into his jacket before he followed her out the door and pressed the key fob to start his Jeep. “And then I want to stop by the meatpacking plant.”
