We sit in silence for a while. I don’t know how long it’s been since I’ve lost all track of time. I’m jolted out of my thoughts when the power comes back on.
Hunter jumps up. “I need to charge my phone. Hopefully, the Wi-Fi will be working soon, too. I need to check in.”
I go to the window and watch the crew work. Then I try to turn my phone on for the first time in days. It’s dead, too. I go to the bedroom where my charger is and plug it in.
As I walk back toward the fire, I hear Hunter’s voice from the other bedroom. I step closer to the door and listen.
“Anything you can find on him would help. The FBI is investigating. Thanks.”
I return to the fireplace. No need for him to catch me listening in. Hunter joins me a minute later.
“I spoke to Trip. He’s our guy when we need someone to find information for us. He’s going to see what he can find out about your boss. Then we’ll make a plan on how to keep you safe.”
“A plan?”
He rubs his hands together in front of the fire. “Yeah, we can probably stay here for a while. But I’ll make sure we have a backup place, too, just in case.”
Stay together? “How long do you think we’ll need to stay together?”
He shrugs. “Not sure. I’ll check in with Stevens a little later to try to get an idea.”
“But if you had to guess.”
His gaze moves to the window. “At least a few days. Likely no more than two weeks.”
Two weeks? I can’t be stuck here with this man for two weeks. I’ll go crazy. Or make a fool of myself. I’ve always wanted to take a trip down the East Coast. And this may be a good time.
“Don’t worry, we’ll get food and be fine.” He grins.
“Thank you, but you don’t need to do this. I can take a road trip and stay away from here for a while. It’d be good for me to be alone.”
I leave him and go to the bedroom to pack.
“I asked you not to leave, and you are trying again the first chance you get?” He leans in the doorway like he’s been standing there a while, arms crossed.
“Well, it’s better than you babysitting me for two weeks.”
“It’s not babysitting. And lounging around here seems more appealing than running from town to town.”
I shrug but keep packing.
“Are you afraid to be here alone with me?” he asks.
I keep my back turned to him. “Why would I be afraid of that?” My heart is beating hard. Did I give myself away by staring at him too long?
“Oh, I don’t know. Because we can’t go five minutes without arguing.”
I chuckle but am relieved. “I think we can get along.”
“Okay, then, why are you still packing?”
I drop the sweater I’m holding and spin back around. “You’re my best friend’s brother. What if we do get into a fight so bad we can’t come back from it?”
“Or, how about we talk, and I mean really talk, and find out why you don’t like guys who have been in the military?”
“Oh!” I say, and then cover my mouth. I can’t believe he remembered I said that the day I met him. I do have issues, but it isn’t something I want to talk to him about.
But he continues to stare at me. Expecting some kind of answer.
