That One Summer: A Collection of Steamy Contemporary Romance

Chapter 10

An hour later, afterconferring with Ben about the legalities of what they were about to do, Lily walked up the steps, crossed the wide porch, and knocked on the blue front door of 82 Spring Street.

The Victorian home, which had recently been repainted white, shimmered in the sunlight. Even the turret, which she hoped to turn into reading nook, had new roof tiles. “Who’s been keeping up this house? It’s in pristine condition.”

“Caleb.” Gage stood next to her, but a step behind, as agreed. “I’m surprised he rented it. I checked, and Ryan is the only tenant this house has ever had.”

“Do you think Caleb did it as a way to keep Ryan close?”

“That’s possible.” Gage knocked this time. “Ben has access to Ryan’s schedule through some kind of cop calendar. Ryan should be home.”

“Maybe he went fishing or something.”

“Maybe.” Gage turned the knob until the door opened. “It’s unlocked.”

She looked around, checking out the street. No one was watching what they were doing. “We can’t just go in.”

“Really?” Gage pushed open the door and stepped into the house. “Ryan is either lazy or forgetful. And neither one is a trait I want in this town’s sheriff.”

This felt so wrong. On the other hand, she did own the house. After one last peek at the neighbors, she hurried in and closed the door.

“I can’t believe I own this house and I’ve never been inside.” She moved deeper into the large foyer. Hand-hewn wood, in a soft blonde color, lined the floors. Beyond that, everything was white. White walls. White banister on the stairs leading up to the second and third floors. Even white chair molding and crown molding in every room she could see. “Wow. This is beautiful. Would it be awful to say I hope Isaiah doesn’t find a way to cut me out of the will?”

“Don’t worry about that.” Gage walked into the dining that had no furniture. Although it did have a tall fireplace, twelve-foot ceilings, and a crystal chandelier. “I would never let that happen.”

Lily wandered the first floor of the house, fascinated by the built-in cupboards, paneled doors, glass doorknobs, and even stained-glass transom windows between the rooms. Although she was supposed to be looking for clues, all she wanted was to explore the space she’d inherited. The searching was made easier by the lack of furniture, closets, and cabinetry.

The only furniture was in the kitchen—a table and two chairs.

When Gage met her in the modern white kitchen, she pointed to the Wolf range and Sub-Zero fridge. “This. Is. Amazing.”

She moved toward the window over the sink that looked out into the back garden. Since the house was within the city limits, it didn’t have a huge yard. But it did have enough space for a small kitchen garden. “I love it here.”

Gage came up behind her and put his hands on her waist. “Did you ever describe your dream kitchen to Caleb?”

She rested against his chest and inhaled his scent of leather and smoke. She adored the feeling of his hard body behind hers. It made her feel safe and secure. It was a feeling she could get used to. “I told Caleb a few things—wait.” She turned to look up at his face only to find his eyes filled with laughter. “Do you think Caleb redid this kitchen for me?”

“Yes. I do.” He kissed he quickly and let her go. “We need to keep searching.”

“I wish we knew what we were looking for, besides a safe.” The butterflies in her stomach did the dance of anxiety. “Let’s finish this.”

“I’ll check the garage and the basement.” Gage kissed her hand and led her back through the sitting room, into the foyer. “You take the upstairs.”

“Got it.” She went upstairs and almost squealed with glee when she discovered five bedrooms on the second floor, most with their own bathrooms. The odd thing, though, was that none of them had furniture. None of them looked lived in. Even the bathrooms were pristine.

Why had Ryan even rented this house? It was huge, and he was a single guy with no furniture and no family. As far as she could tell, he didn’t even have a pet. Or a house phone.

Once she finished the second floor, she went up to the third floor. The turret was one more floor up, but she needed to check out the other rooms first. This floor had three bedrooms. Two rooms were connected by a bathroom, and they had no furniture. Since all the floors in the house were wood, her sandals echoed as she wandered.

It wasn’t until she reached the last bedroom that chills shimmied down her spine. Although she heard the house AC blowing cold air, it was definitely hotter on this floor. She turned the knob of the third bedroom door—it was locked.

Her heart beat faster and her breaths shortened. She turned it again. Still locked.

She swallowed and used her forearm to wipe her brow. She began to hyperventilate and her stomach cramped. This time, when she turned the knob, she also pushed.

Suddenly, the door opened from the inside. She stumbled and fell on the floor, half in the room, landing on her cast. Pain rammed through her hand, up to her elbow, and she rolled over, clutching her hand to her chest. Tears caused by the throbbing in her fingers left salty streaks down her cheeks.

“What the hell are you doing here?” The male voice sounded both surprised and angry.

Still on the floor, she rolled the other way to see a pair of bare male feet in a small puddle of water. Slowly, she raised her gaze, blinking between tears. Water dripped down calves, thighs, and... “Oh, no.”

Ryan stood in front of her, fresh from the shower with a towel around his neck. He was not only scowling, he was completely and totally naked.

* * *

Gage found nothingof interest or use in the garage, laundry room, or basement. No safe. No boxes, trunks, or cabinets. He came up the basement stairs, trying to figure out how he’d been so wrong about this. He’d been sure the safe would be in the house. If it wasn’t here or the police station, where the hell was it?

Standing gun safes were large and heavy, and the one Ryan had purchased was over six-hundred pounds.

When he turned the corner and entered the kitchen, he stopped short. Lily sat in a kitchen chair, holding her white cast against her chest. Her skirt was wrinkled, and her hair now hung around her shoulders. Her brown eyes shimmered with both fear and pain.

Ryan, in jeans and bare chest, stood next to her, holding his gun.

Gage took a few deep breaths to even out his heartrate. His weapon was in his leg holster because he’d gotten lazy about his OPSEC. So he held up both hands. Ryan’s gun was pointed at the floor, but it would only take a millisecond to get off a fatal shot. “Put the gun down, Ryan.”

Ryan’s blue eyes were constricted, almost as if he was on something. “What are you two doing in my house?”

“I told you,” Lily said in a calm voice. “I own this house now and was checking to see if there was any furniture. There’s no phone hooked up, and I knocked. Multiple times.”

Ryan stared at Gage. “What were you doing?”

“Looking for the fuse box.” Gage lowered his hands and shoved them in his pockets. It was a risky move, but it might put Ryan at ease. “The electric company mentioned a higher-than-normal bill for last month, and I was just checking things out.”

“Ryan.” Lily shifted into a smile and gently touched his arm. “This is just a misunderstanding. Please don’t make it into anything more than that.”

“Actually,” Ryan said as he shoved his weapon in the back waistband of his jeans, “you’re both trespassing.”

Lily waved her unhurt hand. “I own this house now.”

Ryan scoffed. “Have you signed any paperwork yet? Have you paid the transfer taxes or property taxes?.”

“No. But—”

“Then you’re both”—Ryan looked directly at Gage—“coming down to the station with me.”

Gage’s phone buzzed with a text at the same time Ryan’s phone rang. They both looked at each other before taking their phones out of their pockets.

Gage read his text as Ryan answered his phone.

Lily stood, still holding her hand against her chest. “What’s wrong?”

Gage moved quickly, taking her arm and pulling her behind him. “Ryan, get emergency services from Milltown over to Mosby’s Gap. Now.”

Ryan hung up and started dialing again. “Find Jacob. I’ll be in touch.”

Gage took Lily’s hand and ran out of the house. It wasn’t until they were in the truck that she had a chance to say, “What’s happening?”

He tried to turn on the ignition, but his hand shook so much he couldn’t do it.

“Gage.” Lily put her hand on top of his thigh, and the sudden rush of heat made him dizzy. “What’s going on? Why do we need to find Jacob.”

He took a deep breath and finally got the key turned and the ignition started. “Ben has been shot.”