Irritation surges in me. His accusation gets me heated, and I want to punch him in the face for even thinking it. I have to keep my head, though, so I try to choose my words carefully. “No, she isn’t a junkie. Anyway, how would this guy know what she was holding?”
“So, you think this is a personal thing?”
“If he isn’t after something in the house, then he has to be after someone in the house, right?”
“That makes sense. So, what do we do?”
“We keep them safe until we figure this thing out. And, Bush, this conversation is between us. I don’t want you upsetting that girl. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, Sir. I won’t say a word.”
“Good. Now, go back to your car and keep your eyes open. If you see anything, hit me on the radio.”
“You got it, Sir. Hey, this is pretty exciting, right?” He grins.
“Yeah, it’s exciting, but you need to keep your wits about you. Remember your training and don’t do anything stupid.”
I return to the house and find Lori waiting for me in the kitchen.
“Why aren’t you sleeping, Lori?”
“I heard you go outside and thought you were leaving. I guess I panicked. Is everything okay out there?”
“Yep. Just checking in with my deputy.”
“Good. Thanks again for doing this for me. I didn’t know that sheriffs did things like this.”
I lean against the kitchen table where she’s seated and say, “They don’t.”
“Then why are you here?”
“I guess there’s just something about you that makes me think you’re a special case. Special cases require special handling. Now, why don’t you try to get some rest? I promise you have nothing to worry about. I’ve got this.”
I reach over and squeeze her hands, again ignoring the way my body goes haywire. She smiles and rises from her chair. Our eyes lock for a moment, and I feel a thick sexual tension fill the air. It takes every ounce of willpower I have to refrain from pulling her against me and kissing her.
“I know I keep saying it but thank you, Sheriff. I mean Luke.”
“You’re welcome.”
I watch her walk up the stairs and know I have to trust my instincts. She’s the target. Why wouldn’t she be? She’s the kind of prize money can’t buy and is more precious than any treasure. I know for certain that when this is all over, I won’t be able to let her go.
4
LORI
The light streaming through the curtains sets my heart pounding, and I jump out of bed in a panic.
I scramble for my phone and groan out loud when I see that it’s almost noon. Nana has a very strict schedule that needs to be adhered to without exception, and thanks to the commotion last night, I screwed up on the first day.
Remembering that I left the handsome sheriff downstairs, I toss on a baggy t-shirt and shorts and race out my bedroom door. The door to Nana’s room is ajar. It shouldn’t be and now my panic moves to another level.
I race into the room and slide across the vacant floor. Not only is my Nana missing, but so are her bed and her medical equipment. How is it possible that I slept through all of this?
I take the steps two at a time, nearly missing the last step and landing on my butt. There’s no one on the sofa, but I hear dishes clanking in the kitchen. I peer in to find Sheriff Luke standing next to a sink filled with soapy water. Nana is seated at the table, sipping on a glass of orange juice.
“Why did you let me sleep? She needed to take her medication.”
“She did take her medication. She also had her oatmeal and, as you can see, orange juice.”
