Chapter 19
HALLIE
The sky was still dark as I pulled a sweater over my head, but a faint glow in the distance promised the sunrise.
I crossed to the bed, pulling the covers up and tucking them neatly into place.
Somehow, I caught a hint of Lawson when they moved, maybe in the sheets themselves—that scent of bergamot, sage, and something else.
I’d slept with the smell curling around me like a warm embrace and managed the miracle of only having one nightmare. Of a dark-eyed man hovering over me with a branding iron. But I’d caught myself before a scream left my lips.
As I pulled up the covers on the other side of the bed, I checked my watch—a few minutes before six. I couldn’t stay in this room a moment longer. I needed to move and escape the feeling of my skin being too tight for my body.
My book hadn’t been holding my interest, and the silence and stillness just made room for Lawson’s words from yesterday to fill my mind. Killed. Stabbed. Strangled.
I shoved it back. Pushed it all away. I couldn’t go there. Not now. Not ever.
Tossing the last pillow into place, I headed for the door. I’d make a breakfast feast. Potato pie, homemade biscuits, maybe even something sweet to finish it all up.
My slipper-clad feet were practically silent on the wood floors. I opened the door and headed into the hall, only to crash into a wall with an oomph.
Strong hands encircled my arms. No, not a wall. A very broad and muscular human being. Heat flared as I pulled back.
The only thing I saw was skin. Lightly tanned skin pulled taut over hard muscles. Skin that gleamed in the low light with a sheen of sweat. Sweat that somehow smelled…good. That wasn’t possible.
“You okay?”
Lawson’s deep and raspy voice had my gaze jerking to his face. “Sorry,” I whispered, even though the boys’ rooms were on the opposite side of the house.
I couldn’t help but let my gaze dip again. Broad shoulders. Muscular pecs dusted with dark hair. Defined abdominals that seemed to clench at my gaze. They all pointed to a V of muscle that had my mouth going dry.
“You…were…working out?”
A low chuckle skated over my skin. “Gym in the basement, remember?”
I nodded, the motion going on for far too long.
“You’re welcome to use it if you’d like. Helps with anxiety sometimes. The physical exertion.”
I forced my gaze back to his. “Thanks. I haven’t spent a lot of time in a gym.”
Before I was taken, I’d been a runner. Every day, rain or shine. But after…I just couldn’t. It had me feeling too exposed. And going to a crowded gym wasn’t even an option.
Lawson’s eyes tracked over my body, making everything tighten. It wasn’t with the usual fear, though. It was as if his gaze lit a million tiny sparklers beneath my skin, and I could feel him everywhere. As if he were bringing my body back to life after years of hibernation.
“I’d be happy to work you up a routine if you want.”
My breaths came quicker, but again, not in panic. “Sure. That’d be good.” It was too much. Too much feeling. Sensation. Everything. “I’m going to get started on breakfast.”
I tore myself out of Lawson’s grasp and raced down the hall. I was sure I looked ridiculous. But I’d do whatever it took. Because Lawson Hartley was dangerous on a good day. Lawson Hartley shirtless and touching me? That was lethal.
I pulled into the high school pickup line, Charlie chatting away from the back seat and Drew scoping out freshmen he thought he might have a shot with.
“It’s gonna be so fun,” Charlie said, bouncing his feet up and down. “Like a sleepover every night.”
Drew grunted. “Careful, Hallie. Charlie will end up trying to sleep with you when he gets scared, and he gave Dad a black eye once.”
Charlie’s face screwed up. “I didn’t mean to.”
The boys had taken me moving into the main house in stride. Lawson had said it would make things easier when he had to work nights. Luke was the only one who seemed to know there was more to the story. But he hadn’t said anything.
I knew the reason behind it all, though. And I couldn’t help but think about the woman who’d lost her life. No, the woman whose life had been stolen.
The brand on my hip burned as if someone were searing the flesh anew. I knew it was all in my mind, the same way I’d felt eyes on me all day when there was no one there. Even now, my shoulder blades itched. I refused to look around to try to find the source because I knew no one would be there.
“Is Dad working late again?” Drew asked, putting his socked feet up on the dash.
I turned in my seat. “He might have to. He wasn’t sure yet.”
“Because someone got killed?” Drew pushed.
“Someone got killed?” Charlie gaped.
Crap. I sent Drew a warning look. I did not want Charlie’s nightmares on my conscience. “Your dad’s working an important case,” I hedged.
I guessed word spread fast around a small town. It made sense but twisted my insides just the same.
Charlie’s feet began bouncing again. “Sometimes, they can’t save people on their SAR trips. It’s really sad.”
“It is sad,” I agreed. “But they do save lots of people, too.”
Charlie’s head bobbed in a nod. “Sooooo many. That’s why I want to do it. Dad says when I’m in high school.”
“Me, too, Little Man,” Drew agreed. He shot me a grin. “When I save a life, it’s really going to drive the babes wild.”
A laugh burst out of me; I couldn’t help it. But the release of the pressure, nerves, and fear felt like heaven. “It’s good to have your priorities in order.”
I caught sight of Luke striding toward the SUV, the girl I’d seen him with before at his side. She bit her bottom lip as they walked, glancing up at him every so often. He looked supremely pissed.
I grabbed the keys from the cupholder and slid out of the driver’s seat. “Stay here, guys.”
Rounding the vehicle’s hood, I watched as Luke and Violet parted ways. But she glanced back at him as she slowly walked in the direction of a station wagon.
I was so focused on Luke that I didn’t even notice the uniformed man to my right.
“Well, if it isn’t my lucky day. Never been happier to be on high school duty,” Reed greeted.
I couldn’t help my jump as his gaze raked over me. The intense focus made me shiver, but I refused to make a fool of myself yet again. “Hi, Officer Hall.”
He frowned. “Call me Reed, Hallie.” He stressed the use of my name.
“Okay,” I said. “I need to go—”
“Do you ever get time off, Hallie? Or is Law working you to the bone?”
I bristled at that. “I work normal hours.”
Reed grinned. “That’s good. I’d hate to have to report him for overworking his employees.”
I didn’t say anything in return. What was there to say?
“How about I take you to dinner tomorrow night?” he offered.
My blood went cold, but my hands started to sweat. I knew dating was part of the normalcy I was reaching for, but just thinking about going to dinner with Reed had dark spots dancing in my field of vision. “I’m not really in a place to date,” I croaked.
Reed studied me for a moment. “As friends, then. A welcome to Cedar Ridge.”
“Hallie,” Luke said as he moved to my side. He glanced down at me, a silent question in his eyes.
I forced a smile, trying to tell him I was good. “We have to get going,” I said, avoiding Reed’s question.
He scowled but quickly covered it. “Sure. Good to see you, Hallie.”
I simply nodded and headed away from him with Luke next to me.
“That guy’s a douche,” Luke muttered.
I pressed my lips together to keep my reaction in check. “Is douche a curse word? Should I be making you put a dollar in a swear jar?”
Luke just grunted.
I glanced up at him. He tried for an impassive mask, but I saw the tension in his jaw.
“Everything okay?” I asked quietly, not wanting the other kids to hear my question.
“Fine,” he clipped.
My gaze flicked to Violet. “Do you want to invite your friend over? She’s welcome.”
A muscle ticked in Luke’s cheek. “Like her parents would let her hang with me.”
His words lit an ache in my chest. Below the annoyance was hurt. Rejection. I got why Luke might give another parent pause with his black attire and scowls, but they only needed to get to know him a little to see the amazing heart beneath.
I glanced at Violet, who approached a man who shared her light hair and green eyes. He was a bit imposing. His expression wasn’t harsh per se, but it wasn’t overly warm either. And he was quite large, tall and broad.
As an idea entered my mind, my heart began pounding against my ribs. I could do this. For Luke.
“Wait here a second.”
I was moving before my brain could stop me, heading toward Violet and the man I assumed was her father. Each step made my heart hammer harder. By the time I reached them, my breaths were coming in pants, but I forced a smile to my lips.
“Hi, I’m Hallie,” I began.
The man’s expression didn’t warm, and Violet gave me a curious look.
“I’m the Hartleys’ nanny. I was wondering if Violet would like to come over to study. I was going to make cookies with Charlie while Drew and Luke did their homework, and Luke mentioned how helpful Violet has been with his science.” I smiled at her. “Luke said you are incredibly smart.”
Violet’s cheeks flushed, and she turned to the man. “Can I, Dad? We have a ton of homework tonight.”
The man’s expression softened a fraction as he looked at his daughter. The slight gentling had me breathing a little easier.
“I don’t know, pumpkin. We have family dinner, and—”
“We have family dinner every night,” Violet argued.
The man turned to me, assessing. The attention had a pins-and-needles sensation taking root in my fingers. He extended his hand. “I’m Thomas Hooper.”
The tingling intensified in my hands. I didn’t. I couldn’t. But when I thought about how much Luke needed a friend, I knew I had to. I forced my hand into Thomas’s. “Hallie Astor.”
The contact was only for a beat of three, but I nearly collapsed when Thomas released my hand.
He gave me a slightly puzzled look. “You’ll be with the kids the whole time?”
I nodded, not able to get my voice working again quite yet.
“And they’ll be in common areas, not a bedroom or basement?” Thomas pushed.
“Dad,” Violet said, her face flaming.
“We’ll all be in the living room and kitchen.” My voice sounded a bit raspy, but at least I’d managed words.
Thomas was silent for a moment as Violet and I waited.
“I’ll pick you up at five-forty-five. I don’t want you missing family dinner,” he said finally.
Violet beamed, and her whole face lit up. She threw herself at him for a hug. “Thank you!”
He chuckled as he patted her back. “I expect an A on that science assignment.”
She just rolled her eyes. “I always get an A.”
Thomas simply grinned.
I exchanged phone numbers with him so he could call if any plans changed and to make him feel better about the whole thing, and then Violet and I started back toward the SUV.
“Thanks for talking to my dad,” she said quietly. “He’s really overprotective.”
“I think it’s nice that he cares so much,” I told her honestly.
She nodded. “Most of the time. But sometimes, he’s protective about things he shouldn’t be.”
I followed Violet’s gaze toward Luke, who was staring at us as if we were a walking miracle.
I dropped my gaze to my feet, grinning at my shoes. I might not be able to fix everything for Luke, but I’d done something. And I’d faced a fear to do it. That knowledge made me feel stronger, braver.
But maybe it shouldn’t have because there was still someone out there who had stolen a woman’s life. And there was a chance it was him.