His jaw clenched. “Trust me, I know I’m far from perfect.”
“Then maybe cut the rest of us some slack.”
He sighed. “I’m sorry. I just want to make sure you’re safe.”
The worst of my frustration melted away at the honesty in his tone. “I will be. Locked doors—”
“And windows.”
I rolled my eyes. “And windows. Alarm set. Two police officers, one Fish and Wildlife game warden, and one ex-security specialist on speed dial.”
A hint of humor flickered in his eyes. “Your brothers sound like the start of a bad bar joke.”
The corner of my mouth kicked up. “Don’t tell them that.”
“Never.”
Caden twirled his keyring around his finger.
“I really will be okay. Promise,” I assured him.
“If you don’t want to call your brothers, but something seems out of place, call me.”
Damn him for being all understanding and worried. “Okay.”
He made his way to the door. “Lock it behind me.”
“I will.”
Caden looked at me one more time, then opened the door and stepped outside. I closed it behind him, locking it immediately.
“Set the alarm, too,” he called through the door.
“I’m doing it,” I groused, pressing thearmbutton on the keypad.
I waited a handful of seconds until I heard Caden’s footsteps on the porch. Then I did what any woman in this situation would do. I sank to the floor and buried my face in my hands. My brain was in danger of short-circuiting. Between a break-in and all that proximity with Caden, everything was going haywire.
I needed a strong drink. Except that didn’t seem like the smartest idea if someone reallywaslurking around and creepily stealing my pajamas. That was the bucket of ice water I needed.
Climbing to my feet, I strode toward my bedroom. Maybe I’d just missed the bin this morning. I opened the closet and pulled out the hamper altogether. There were no pajamas accidentally shoved behind it. I dumped the contents of the hamper onto the floor. Pawing through them, I searched every item. No pale pink silk.
Frickety frack. This was not good. I thought back to the figure behind my house last night. What if it hadn’t been an animal but the same person who had broken in today? Suddenly, I wished I’d asked Caden to stay.
“Don’t be an idiot,” I scolded myself. The last thing I needed was more one-on-one time with him.
I threw all the clothes back into the hamper and took it to my laundry room. I poured them into the washer, added soap, and turned the cycle to hot. I didn’t care if I shrank things, at least there would be no cooties on my clothes.
I left the basket by the washer and headed back to the living room. The sun was already setting, and I knew darkness would soon be upon us. I moved around the space, double-checking the window latches.
I’d stayed alone in this house what seemed like an infinite number of times, yet that felt like a slightly terrifying prospect all of a sudden. The sensation sparked a flicker of anger. Whoever this asshole was, they didn’t get to steal my haven.
I pulled out my phone and hit a number on my favorites list. A second later, someone picked up.
“Wildfire Pizza, this is Sheila. How can I help you?”
“Hey, Sheila. It’s Grae.”
“Hey, Grae! How are you?” the bubbly teenager asked.
