But I didn’t have time to sit around worrying about myself. The most important thing, at the moment, was finding the person who’d brutally murdered poor Lincoln. Maybe I wouldn’t be the sheriff much longer, but I wasgoing to do my darnedest to find Lincoln’s killer before they booted me out of office.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Maxwell
Escrow officially closed Friday afternoon. It still didn’t feel real that Dr. Johnson’s home was now mine. Now there was no reason for me to stay in Royce’s home. I could move into my new home tonight if I really wanted to. Sure, the construction company still had to pull out the dental chairs and install some of the equipment that I’d bought. But basically, the home was ready to live in.
But I was dragging my feet.
Royce still hadn’t given me his answer about moving in withme. I’d done as he’d requested and truly pondered the idea of him moving in with me permanently. The only emotions I felt when I thought about that happening were happy ones. It was nice that Royce had given me time to think about my offer, but I’d done enough thinking. I was excited about the idea of taking this next step. I realized it was more of a leap. Especially for someone like me. But I wanted to do it. While I’d always enjoyed my independence, I now craved Royce’s company. His nearness. I wanted the kind of intimacy with him you could only have when you were willing to be vulnerable.
To be honest, it was terrifying.
But if I wanted to be with Royce, I had to push myself. I’d heard somewhere that relationships were like sharks. If they didn’t keep moving forward, they’ddie. I didn’t want to lose Royce. Not ever. So, I needed to keep moving forward. Against all odds, I apparently had the ability to love. Deeply. I’d grown up thinking I was incapable of attaching to people. I realized now there simply hadn’t been anyone around worth attaching to. Thank goodness I hadn’t bonded with my cold, unloving parents. If I had, they might have crushed whatever was inside me now that allowed me to love Royce.
Royce and I needed to have a serious discussion tonight. I wanted to tell him that I’d thought it over and I definitely wanted him to move in with me. Permanently. I had butterflies in my stomach at the idea of being so vulnerable, but I knew it was what was needed. I wanted to cement my relationship with Royce. I didn’t just want to date him. I wanted Royce to be my life partner. That was such a crazy idea to me, and yet life without Royce wasn’t worth living.
Around noon, I’d just gotten out of the shower when I heard the front door open. I hadn’t been expecting Royce until evening. Frowning, I hurriedly toweled off and dressed quickly in jeans and a flannel shirt. I went into the living room and found Royce holding Grumpy and staring out into the backyard.
I moved up behind him, slipping my arms around his narrow waist. I pressed my face to his back, soaking in his heat. “You’re home early,” I said softly.
He shot me a weary smile over his shoulder. “Yep.”
“Is everything okay?”
He set Grumpy down and turned to face me. “I have some awful news.”
“Oh, no.” I braced myself. “What is it?”
Wincing, he said quietly, “Somebody murdered Lincoln Johnson.”
“What?” I widened my eyes in horror. “Why? Who?”
He sighed. “Unfortunately, I don’t know the answer to either one of those questions.”
I raked a hand through my hair, feeling confounded. “But… he was sonice. I don’t understand.”
“You’re not alone in that. The town is in shock. Nobody can believe it.” He winced. “I can’t even believe it.”
“God,” I muttered, and then another unpleasant thought came to me. “Liam James is going to use this against you, isn’t he?”
“No doubt. But that’s not really my concern right now.”
“Of course not.” I appreciated that Royce was solely focused on wanting to solve Lincoln’s murder. But the reality was Liam James was going to go for the jugular now. As if Royce had the power to prevent violent crime all by himself.
“I need to go back to the station, but I wanted to come and at least have a meal with you. I’m going to be working long hours the next few days.” He moved closer again. “Sorry.”
I frowned. “You don’t need to apologize. I know the drill.”
He touched my cheek. “I’ll miss seeing you as much.”
I cleared my throat. “Obviously, I’ll miss you as well. But I’ll hold down the fort. Me and Grumpy.”
He winced. “I’m sorry I dumped that horrible news on you the minute I walked in the door. I… I just needed to get it off my chest.”
“It’s not a problem. I want you to talk to me.”
“Do you?”
