“Thanks, honey.” She sniffed. “Drive safe.”
“I will.” We hung up, and I grabbed my jeans and pulled them on.
“What’s happening?” Seth looked confused.
“Someone threw a rock through my mom’s window.” I slipped my shirt on and started buttoning it with shaky fingers.
“What the hell?” He looked startled. “Why?”
“I don’t know. It’s like someone has it in for my family.” I pushed my feet into my shoes and moved closer to him. Bending over the bed, I kissed him. “I’ll call you later, okay?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m sorry to rush off like this.”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s fine. Go be with your mom. She’s probably terrified.” He stood and followed me to the front of the shop.
I kissed him again, pulling him against me. I hated leaving him when we’d just told each other how we really felt, but I had no choice. “You could come with me?”
He shook his head. “No. Your mom needs your undivided attention. She’s been through so much.”
I sighed. “Okay.” I kissed him again, not wanting to leave him. “I’ll be back tomorrow if possible.”
“Do what you need to do for your mom. Seriously, I’m fine. I’m not going anywhere.” He smiled.
Reluctantly, I finally had to let him go, and I trotted toward my car, feeling relieved that Seth and I were on solid ground but freaked-out about this unknown person terrorizing my family.
Chapter Nineteen
Seth
The next day Tanner called saying he probably couldn’t make it back to Montecito until tomorrow. I understood he needed to take care of his mom. I didn’t mind at all. His attentiveness to her showed what a good person he was, which just made me love him more. I missed him though. Now that I’d come clean to him, I felt so much closer to him. I wanted to feel his arms around me and his husky voice against my ear.
It was late afternoon and I was hanging a SALE sign in front of my shop, when Gordon came walking up. He was limping, and he had a cane. “Howdy, stranger,” he said cheerfully.
I jumped down off the stepladder and frowned. “What happened to your leg?”
He scowled down at the offending appendage. “Oh, I stepped in a pothole and twisted my ankle.”
“Huh.” I laughed. “Where the heck were you that there were potholes?”
He avoided my gaze. “Oh, it was in the parking lot of my hotel.”
“Well, it’s good to see you. I thought you were leaving for China the day after the wedding.”
He sighed. “I was. But after all that happened… I felt awful leaving you with all the drama. I didn’t like the way that cop was questioning you. He was a little too focused on you, if you ask me.”
I smiled. “There you go again, worrying about me.”
“It’s just how it is, kid.” His lips twitched.
“I know. I’m used to it.” I smiled and folded the step stool.
“How did your interview go with Detective Pole?”
“He didn’t arrest me yet. I take that as a good sign.” I walked into the shop and tucked the step stool away behind the counter. Gordon followed me in slowly, his cane smacking on the tile floor.
“I have an interview with him later today.” He grunted and leaned against the counter.
