Chapter 7
When Meri awoke, she saw Chase in the chair next to her bed, just watching her. “Hi. How long have you been here?” He looked so handsome, but she had to remember she could not fall for her boss. Even if he was the kindest, gentlest man she’d ever know.
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “A while. Did you know you snore? Just little snores. It’s cute.”
Embarrassed that she snored at all and thankful she didn’t snore like her father. “You must have been hearing the person next door. I don’t snore.”
He laughed. “Yes, you do, but it wouldn’t keep me awake.”
She lifted her brows. Did he imply she would sleep next to him in the future?
Was she ready for that? She wasn’t a prude, but she did like to know someone better before she hopped into bed.
Besides, she’d promised herself she wouldn’t have sex again until she was married.
She wanted a man who would love her enough to wait.
“I don’t plan on keeping you awake, at all.”
“I was referring to the future.” He moved and sat on the edge of her bed. “I like you, Meri, and if you don’t think it’s too dangerous, I’d like to keep seeing you. I’ll understand if you refuse, but regardless, I’ll keep monitoring and ensuring your safety until this maniac is caught.
Oh, God, is this what I want? Do I want to be with him?
Yes. Butterflies filled her stomach and her heart pounded against her chest, surprising her it didn’t hammer its way out.
She looked down at her hand as it bunched the sheet.
Should she take the chance? What about her vow not to date the boss again?
She had to take a chance to see if there was anything special between them.
“I’d like to keep seeing you, too. The doctor came by before I took a nap and said if I continue to improve, he’d release me tomorrow morning.
I guess he finishes his rounds about ten and will sign all the paperwork necessary for my release then.
I’ll be out of here before noon. Will you be here to take me home so I can pack some things? ”
“I’ll be by your side for the next two weeks, at least. If nothing else, it will give us a chance to get to know each other and our bad habits.” He grinned. “Of course, that assumes I have any.”
Now she laughed and touched her side. “Oww oh oww. I told you not to make me laugh.”
“I’m doing my best.” He winked at her. “But I will, honestly, try to do better.”
Meri hadn’t been awake for long, but the meds they were giving her for pain were making her sleepy. She tried hard to stay awake. Suddenly, she felt Chase’s lips on her forehead and her eyes flew open.
“Sleep tight, my beauty. I’ll see you tomorrow, if not tonight.”
She felt groggy. “See you tomorrow.” She quickly went back to sleep.
When she next woke up, someone had dimmed the room lights. She looked over at the chair, and it was empty. She was a little disappointed that Chase wasn’t there, but she understood he had a business to run. He couldn’t be here every minute.
Then Chase walked into the room carrying a paper bag and carrying a drink.
She smelled hot pastrami on rye. “You don’t have enough of that pastrami sandwich to share, do you?
All they’ve given me here so far are liquids except for the Jello.
I’ve been wanting to try out your chef’s meals, but I haven’t stayed awake long enough.
It’s been pitiful. I’ll dry up and blow away from lack of food. ”
He cracked up. After setting the bag on the tray that swung across the bed, he then raised the head of her bed until she was sitting up. “How’s that?”
“Perfect. Let me see what’s in the bag.”
He snatched it away just as she reached for it.
She pouted and tried to cross her arms. The movement of her left arm made her side ache. “Spoilsport.”
Opening the bag, he pulled out a bag of Lay’s potato chips, a whole dill pickle and one huge sandwich.
She frowned.
“Don’t pout. I intend to share.” He produced a plastic knife from his pocket.
“Always prepared. That’s my motto. And just so you know, I asked Dr. Schneider if this would be okay and he said you could eat whatever you want as long as you didn’t overdo it.
So don’t make a pig of yourself.” He grinned. “Leave that to me.”
“It’s a good motto.” She watched him cut the sandwich in half, then she picked up her half, taking a big bite. She closed her eyes and took a journey to Shangri-La. The sandwich was that good. “Where did you get this? It’s wonderful.”
He sat on the edge of the bed, using part of her tray as his table.
“My housekeeper has a brother-in-law who runs a food truck down here. Since it’s after seven, I knew he wasn’t open.
But when I called, and explained the situation, he was more than happy to make a sandwich.
He delivered it, and I paid him handsomely.
If this tastes as good as it smells, I’ll figure out a way for him to be in front of the Harper building permanently.
I think he’d like that. Apparently, he’s been trying to get a downtown gig for a while. ” He took a bite and closed his eyes.
She could tell by his expression that he was in total bliss. What she wouldn’t give to have put that expression on his face.
Her eyes widened. Where did that thought come from?
Now, she was thinking of making love with him?
Was it yesterday she was wondering if she was in love with him and now this?
How long before she would make wishes a reality?
Uncertain if she would ever want a deeper relationship, yet Chase Harper was the only person she’d consider having one with.
Then a thought occurred. “I can’t paint for at least ten days. Will that be okay with your schedule?” She took another bite of the amazing sandwich.
“Sure.” He waved his hand in front of him. “Whatever you need to do. And I’ll never complain about spending more time with you.” He bit his pickle, his lips forming a little pucker as he chewed.
She wanted to kiss the pucker off his lips until she felt him smile against her, and then she’d kiss him again.
She was sure she blushed, because her face felt like it went up in flames.
“What a nice thing to say. I look forward to spending more time with you, too.” But I don’t want to be a burden, either.
How will I know when enough is enough? I’ve never lived with anyone, not even Jared.
I guess that gave him plenty of time to cheat on me undetected.
Maybe that had been a mistake on my part.
But I’m thankful every day that I found out before marrying the bast—.
She closed her eyes and blanked her mind.
“Penny for your thoughts.”
She opened her eyes. “I haven’t heard that phrase in years.” She took a smaller bite of her sandwich.
“I remember my uncle saying it when I was a kid.”
Swallowing, she took a sip of her water before speaking. “I was just thinking how different it will be to live with someone other than my parents.”
He swallowed his food. “So you’re okay staying with me for a while?”
“I have little choice…if I want to live, and I do.” She set her sandwich down on the tray.
She’d had enough. She didn’t even take a bite of the pickle and she loved dill pickles.
“I don’t want to be looking over my shoulder for the rest of my life, constantly wondering if he’s found me.
Will I be in the freezer aisle when he guns me down?
I can’t live like that.” She reached out and grabbed Chase’s arm.
“I need for you to find this man and stop him.”
“I won’t kill him in cold blood, but I won’t let him hurt you or me or anyone else we care about.
” He stood and ran a hand through his hair.
“I’d like to turn him over to the police and have him go to jail for a long time, but I also want to know what he was to Paige.
I know I saw them together a couple of weeks before her murder.
Did he know her personally? Or am I mistaken, and he wasn’t the one?
Was she just a random person in the wrong place at the wrong time?
” He paced the length of the room from the bed to the window and back again.
He turned toward Meri. “I don’t think I’m wrong about him. He’s the same man, I know it.”
“I’m glad to hear that you won’t kill him in cold blood.
I don’t want to see you go to prison. But you need to find him.
Question him and then turn him over to the police.
We already know he’ll show up somewhere and try to kill us.
If we hadn’t had warning from Isaac, we might have been his victims.” She closed her eyes and rested her head against the pillow.
Meri was so tired. Already she was sick of being prey.
“You can use me as bait. He’s already shot me once and I’m sure he’ll want to come back to finish the job.
Maybe the police will find out who let him in and who gave him our seat information. ”
“I’ll find that out. It’s amazing how a little money will get someone to open right up.”
“What will you do when you find out who did it?”
“I intend to send a message back, offering to meet him, one-on-one. He’ll probably take the offer, if only to kill me. But I’m hoping he’ll actually show. I don’t know if he will, but whatever the outcome, you will remain safe in my home.”
“I don’t want you out there alone, either.”
His expression softened and relaxed. He had a small smile as he took her hand nearest him and brought it to his lips, never moving his gaze away from her face. “I appreciate your concern for me, but rest assured that I will not meet him alone. I’ll be wired and my men will be nearby.”
“I’m still scared, Chase. For looking like a street thug, he knows a lot. He knows how to find us. He had to be following you. You’re so well known. I’m surprised you don’t have stalkers.”