“Holt?”
“My brother. He’s the head of search and rescue for the county.”
“I’m glad he’s trying to help,” I said, breaking our stare.
I couldn’t help but think about the woman. Alone. Scared. Freezing. Had she found somewhere to hide from the elements and animals? Was she already gone?
Strong fingers linked with mine, creating a woven tapestry of comfort and something so much more.
“Hallie.”
I stared at our joined hands, the miracle that was a simple touch. A closeness that didn’t send me spinning into anxiety and panic.
“Look at me.”
The command was somehow gentle yet forceful all at once.
My head lifted as if I had no choice.
Emotion swirled in Lawson’s blue eyes. A million different things morphed from one to the next, moving so quickly I couldn’t pin any down.
“Stay in the now,” he said.
“She’s scared and alone.”
That muscle beneath Lawson’s eye fluttered. “And it reminds you of being scared and alone.”
“No one should feel that way. No one,” I whispered.
He tightened his hold on my fingers. “But you’re not alone now, are you?”
I stared into those deep blues again, watching the emotions swirl faster. “No. I’m not.”
16
LAWSON
Footsteps soundedbehind me as sunlight streamed through the kitchen window. I glanced up to find a skeptical-looking Drew standing there.
“You’re making…breakfast?”
I sent my son a droll look. “I can make eggs and bacon.”
“Bruh, the last time you made a hot breakfast was when you told us that Great-grandma died.” Drew was suddenly alert. “Is someone dead?”
I winced. Apparently, my lack of devotion to my culinary skills had scarred my children. “No one’s dead. I just woke up early so I could make my family breakfast while Holt draws up plans for the day.”
Woke up early because I tossed and turned all night long. My hand tightened around the skillet handle. I could still feel Hallie’s fingers in mine, her skin like silk. The pressure. The heat.
A simple, innocent touch had turned my blood to fire.
“Isn’t Hallie making breakfast now?” Drew asked hopefully, cutting off the thoughts sure to send me straight to hell.
I stirred the eggs and added some cheddar cheese, peppers, and onions. “She doesn’t have to make something every day.”
“But shecould, and then I wouldn’t have to risk missing practice or seeing my babes because I have food poisoning. Bruh, having the shits is not sexy.”
My focus flicked to my teenager. “Help yourself to the cereal, then. And watch your language.”
