Chapter 17
It was the best kiss of her life.
She wrapped her arms around Eli’s neck and held on as he kissed her like his life depended on it.
Then she felt him stiffen. He moved away from her, looking over at Kellan as she let out a grumble of protest.
“What’s that?” Eli asked as Horse started to bark.
“Someone at the door,” Kellan replied moving toward the door.
Eli lifted her and set her on the bed.
“W-what’s going on?” she asked over Horse’s barks.
“Stay in here with Horse,” Eli ordered. “There’s someone knocking on the door. Probably nothing, but we’ll go check it out. Do not move.” He gave her a firm look and left the room. Kellan had already disappeared.
She stared over at Horse incredulously. “Don’t move? Is he kidding?” Getting up, she grabbed hold of Horse’s collar and headed out of the bedroom.
Hopefully, he didn’t take off and pull her over. That would kill her back.
But Horse was surprisingly calm as he walked next to her. She heard the murmur of voices and she realized the storm must have eased up.
It had to be getting close to morning.
She stared around the doorway into the entrance, surprised to find a tall sheriff’s deputy standing there.
“Don’t give me any bull. I need to see her with my own eyes and check on her,” the deputy said.
“Arabella is fine,” Eli said. “Do you really think we’d harm her, Duncan?”
Duncan? Was this their brother? Who was married to Laken?
“Of course I don’t,” Duncan said impatiently. “But we’re doing checks on all of Haven’s residents who live alone. I’ve got to go check on Abe, her neighbor, next. So just let me see her and I’ll move on.”
“Jesus, you’ll give him a heart attack, knocking on his door at five in the morning,” Eli told him.
“Actually, he probably won’t hear you,” she said, making them all turn.
Shoot. Maybe she should have thought before saying anything.
All three men stared at her. Duncan held such a powerful flashlight that she could see all of their faces. Duncan looked at her with curiosity. Kellan with cool composure.
While Eli looked a bit . . . mad.
Suddenly, the power flicked on, making her cry out in surprise and Horse let out a howl.
“Jesus, that’s a big dog. Are you sure it’s not part-horse?” Duncan asked.
She smiled at him. “That’s his name.”
“What? Big Dog?” Duncan asked.
“No, although that could have been an option. His name is Horse.”
She couldn’t look at Eli or Kellan. Because she couldn’t believe what they’d just done. That Eli had held her on his lap and kissed her while Kellan directed them.
At the time, it had felt magical. Amazing.
Like nothing she’d felt before. Her entire body had been on fire and she’d wanted more.
Who knew how far she would have gone if they hadn’t been interrupted?
But she couldn’t trust her own feelings towards these two men. And she couldn’t place herself into a position of being vulnerable. Where she might get hurt.
She’d promised herself that she wouldn’t do that. That she would protect herself even if it meant that she had to keep up some walls.
Only, she kept feeling like her walls were crumbling.
Her heart started racing. And it felt like the walls of the hallway were beginning to press in on her.
“Hey, baby? Are you okay?” Eli asked.
“Arabella? What’s wrong?” Kellan demanded.
“Shit, she’s not breathing properly!” Eli said.
“Arabella,” Kellan said firmly, taking hold of her right hand and squeezing. “I need you to listen to me and do as you’re told.”
Do as she was told?
The surge of temper actually cleared some of the panic in her mind.
Or maybe that was due to the way he was holding her hand.
“Take a deep breath in, now let it out slowly. That’s it.
Follow my directions. Deep breath in slowly, two three, out slowly, two three.
And again. In, two, three, out, two, three. It’s okay, Horse.”
She suddenly realized that strange noise was Horse.
And that he was licking her free hand. She glanced down at him and felt her breathing ease.
Putting her hand on his head, she let him ground her.
She wasn’t certain when she’d let go of his collar, but he’d stayed beside her the entire time, helping her.
Lord, he really was her best friend. She was so lucky that she’d found him.
Finally, her breathing eased and her heart stopped racing so hard. She closed her eyes for a long moment, then opened them.
That was embarrassing. She tried her best to hide her horror at what had just happened but knew she’d likely failed when she saw the concern in their faces.
Well, Kellan looked as calm as always
“Are you okay?” Duncan asked.
“I’m fine. Sorry. I just . . . it’s been a lot.”
Duncan nodded. “I get that. The storm and the power going out would be scary and a lot to deal with.”
And yet neither of those things were the reason she’d had a panic attack.
Nope. That was all due to the two men standing right there, staring at her.
“Do you need anything? You probably don’t know if any repairs are needed yet, but is there anything else?” Duncan asked.
“Ahh, no. I think I just need to try and get some sleep and then I’ll assess everything. Thank you for checking on me.”
“Of course. If there is anything you need let me know. I’ll give you my number. Do you have your phone?”
“Um, yes, I’ll find it.”
“Hey, if she needs anything we’re here and we can provide it,” Eli protested.
“That what you want, Ms. Bridges?” Duncan asked.
“Call me Arabella and I . . . I want to be on my own.”
She didn’t look at either of them as she said that.
“Of course,” Duncan said. “You heard her, you two need to leave.”
“No, what I need is to talk to Arabella,” Eli insisted, storming past Duncan to force his way between them. “Look at me, baby.”
Yeah, she wasn’t doing that.
She knew that she’d likely cave if she did. Her shields were down and she needed to shore them back up. To work out how she was going to keep them out.
“I would like you to leave, please. What happened . . . it shouldn’t have. It won’t happen again. I appreciate your help, though. Come, Horse.”
“Arabella, stop! We need to talk!”
“Please just leave!” she told Eli. “I want you to go. You need to do what I want.”
She turned back to stare at him, aware that he looked shocked and like . . . like she’d hurt him.
Shit. She almost took it back but she couldn’t. Because she had to have some time alone.
Even though she knew it was cowardly, she turned and walked back to her bedroom. She likely would have run if it wasn’t for the pain in her back.
There was a knock on her bedroom door about five minutes later and she let out a startled yelp while Horse growled.
“Sorry to bother you,” Duncan called through the door. “Just wanted to let you know that they’re gone. Eli really didn’t want to go but Kellan made him. You should come lock your front door after me. I also wanted to give you my number.”
“Right, coming.” She found her phone on the nightstand. Luckily it had a small bit of battery life left. Opening the door, she let Duncan place his phone against hers to share his number.
Duncan eyed her for a long moment. “I know I shouldn’t interfere, but they are really good men. Give them a chance and they’ll take care of you.”
“You’re right,” she told him. “You probably shouldn’t say that.”
He sighed but nodded. “Eli is worried that you’ll try to put your other furniture together on your own. As soon as I get a chance I’ll come and help you. Just wait for me, all right?”
“I can’t ask you to do that.” Guilt filled her. She was certain he had enough on his plate.
“That’s okay, you’re not asking. I’m telling.” He nodded to her and gestured at Horse. “Glad you’ve got him. Seems like he’d make a good service dog.”
Oh, she hadn’t thought of that but he had helped her through her panic attack earlier.
Along with Kellan.
But you can’t be reliant on him. Or Eli.
“You’re right. He would. Thanks for your help and checking on me.”
Duncan nodded. “Call or text if you need anything. Kellan said you also hurt your back? Do you know where the medical practice is here? And do you need someone to drive you to an appointment?”
“I, um, I’m sure it will be fine. It’s just from sleeping on the floor. I’ll be okay.”
Duncan glanced around. “Just doesn’t make sense that there were no beds. Half the furniture seems to be missing. Mrs Taylor didn’t have any family locally except for her niece. Where could the furniture have gone? Why would she take it anywhere?”
“I don’t know. But it’s okay, I’ve got it handled now.”
“No moving anything. And get that back looked at if it’s not any better by tomorrow. I’ll be checking.”
Sheesh.
Bossiness really ran in the Jones family.