“Are you ready?”
“I am. I wish you’d tell me what we’re doing though. Is this okay?”
He took in her jeans and low-heeled boots, topped by an oversized sweater that draped off one kissable shoulder. “You look perfect. But grab your coat just in case.”
The temp was warm and pleasant for a December day. The kind of day where only a sweater was required.
He stepped back as she descended the camper step and locked up, and he took her hand and held it to his lips for a kiss before leading her toward the SUV where Axel waited.
Axel opened the passenger door for them as they approached, but Sara’s attention locked on something elsewhere.
“What’s wrong?”
“That guy—in the car over there. Do you see him? He was here yesterday morning. I thought he was waiting on someone then, but I told him we’d sold out of trees and wouldn’t restock for a few days. I also saw Axel speak to him when you came to pay for the trees but— Why’s he just sitting there?”
Rhys paused and prepared himself. “He’s watching over you, Sara.” He studied her expression, felt the way she tensed at the news.
“You put abodyguard on me? Why?”
His ex-fiancée’s voice filled his head, high-pitched and angry as Quinley had demanded he remove her security team and give her back her privacy. “I didn’t like the idea of you here alone, and I wanted to make sure you were safe. And before you come at me, he’s had to run a few people off, so please don’t expect an apology.”
She sucked in a breath at that bit of news, but he felt the truth needed to be told so she fully understood. Carolina Cove was a great little town, but she was a woman alone, a fact that had already been noted by the thieves and drunks and others paying attention.
“He’s had to…do that?”
Rhys shoved his hands into his pockets and nodded. “Yes, he has. Look, Sara, I’m not trying to be creepy or controlling, but you’re isolated, and I wanted to keep you safe. For my own peace of mind, if not yours.”
She stayed silent a few beats.
“I can’t pay you back.”
“I’m not asking you to. I want to know you’re safe. That’s all I need.”
“That’s…kind of you, Rhys. Thank you. For watching out for me.”
Surprise blew through him, and he canted his head as he stared down at her beautiful face. “You’re taking the news better than I expected.”
A low laugh rumbled out of her as she hugged her coat to her chest. “Well, I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t creepy staying here at night, and… I had a stalker in high school. Nothing big but— some guy from another school. Thankfully we didn’t have to call in the police because the guy listened when my father caught him on the farm and said no one would find his body if he kept coming around and scaring me.”
“I like your dad.”
“He’s the best,” she agreed. “So…while it’s unexpected, thank you. The last thing my parents need is to be worrying about me should something happen, and they can’t afford to hire anyone else or drag Buck away from the farm right now. Not that I want to share the camper with Buck.”
“You willnotbe staying with Buck, whoever he is.”
She released a throaty laugh at his grumble, and Rhys found himself relaxing at the sound. He thought he’d have a fight on his hands like he’d always had with Quinley, but Sara had rolled with the news with a grace and acceptance he admired. “And you’re very welcome. Shall we get going?”
“Are you going to tell mewherewe’re going?”
He grinned down at her as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her to his side, lips pressing a kiss to her hair. “It’s a surprise.”
It took minimal time to get to the marina at this time of day, and Rhys smiled at Sara’s shock when Axel rolled up to the dock.
“We’re taking a boat?”
“Do you get seasick? I was told the captain has antinausea meds on board, just in case.”
She shook her head and gathered her things, excitement rolling off her as they exited.
