Chapter 27
HALLIE
Chaos reigned in the kitchen as the boys practically tripped over each other to cram breakfast into their mouths and get ready for school.
I hurried to pick up plates and stack them in the sink, but my gaze kept going to Lawson.
The way his uniform shirt pulled taut over broad shoulders, how his forearms flexed as he washed a plate.
I could still feel his lips on mine. Could still feel his heat and taste his flavor on my tongue. But Lawson hadn’t said a word about the kiss.
He’d left me with that cryptic warning and headed up the basement steps. Meanwhile, I’d basically been a puddle on the floor.
But knowing that I affected him? It made me feel powerful. Helped me regain a little of what I’d lost.
I just wished it seemed like that kiss haunted Lawson a fraction as much as it haunted me.
I understood. He had more important things on his mind. A missing woman. A killer to find. Just the thought had me fighting a shudder.
Lawson had worked for more than twelve hours the day before, and he’d be back at it today.
And I knew he’d feel every dead end like a weight on his shoulders.
God, I hoped they found whoever had done this.
Prayed they located Adrienne Johnson safe and unharmed.
It was a na?ve hope, but I’d hold to it anyway.
“We need to go, guys, or you’re all going to be late,” I warned, turning to Lawson. “Don’t worry about those. I’ll get them once I’m home.”
He stilled, his blue eyes finding mine. “Be careful. I want you parking in the garage up here and not getting out of the car until the door is closed.”
My mouth went dry, but I nodded. “I’ll be careful.”
“Call me if anything tweaks you,” Lawson ordered.
I nodded, studying him. “Are you okay?”
His jaw clenched, somehow illuminating the dark circles under his eyes. “I’ll be okay once we find Adrienne.”
That meant he was far from all right.
“Ready!” Charlie called.
I forced myself to walk away from Lawson, even though it was the last thing I wanted to do.
The bell over the door of Gifts ‘n’ Things jingled as I ducked inside.
I hadn’t been in here before, and my jaw dropped as I took in the space.
It was crammed full of all sorts of gifts and party supplies.
There were pinatas, a wall full of every kind of balloon, an entire shelf of streamers, and another display with items for goody bags.
Picking up a basket, I started selecting items in colors I thought Drew would like as more of my idea came into focus. I pulled out my phone and typed out a text.
Me
Sorry to bother you at work, but would it be okay if I cleared out the barn for Drew’s birthday?
The structure set back on Lawson’s property housed a snowplow, some ATVs, and other larger equipment and sports paraphernalia.
But it would also be the perfect place to create a Nerf gun obstacle course.
I could move in bales of hay and create targets.
And it wouldn’t be hard to order two dozen Nerf guns for Drew and his friends.
My phone dinged, and I looked down.
Lawson
My brothers and I can do it next weekend.
I bit the corner of my lip.
Me
I don’t want to make extra work for you.
Lawson
You’re strong as hell, but I don’t think you can get a snowplow out of there on your own.
He made a good argument.
Me
Point taken. Thank you.
Lawson
No problem. Remember, stick close to the house today. No exploring the barn.
I frowned at my phone. That was exactly what I’d planned to do after I got home.
Lawson
Promise me. I’ll check it out with you tonight, and you can tell me what you’re thinking.
Damn him, knowing exactly what I was planning.
Me
I promise.
“Hallie, right?” a sugary-sweet voice asked.
I looked up to see the woman I’d met the first day of drop-off. “Katelyn?”
She smiled, swinging the bag in her hands, but it was all sorts of fake. “That’s right. How are you settling in?”
“Well. Thank you.”
Katelyn’s gaze dipped to my basket. “Having a party?”
“Drew’s birthday,” I explained. “Just getting some decorations.”
Her mouth thinned. “Law plans his boys’ birthday parties. He always has.”
Oh, hell. I did not want this to turn into some weird sort of pissing contest. “He’s got a few cases on his plate right now, so I’m just helping out.”
Katelyn forced a smile to her lips. “That poor man. I was just going to head over to The Brew to get him something. He never eats properly when he’s working so hard.”
My stomach twisted in a vicious squeeze. The urge to pop her one in her perfect nose was almost too much to take. That wasn’t me. I didn’t get jealous or possessive. I was the one who couldn’t care less about any man unless it was to make sure he kept his distance.
But I did care about Lawson. Wanted to claim him as mine for the entire world to see. Only I wasn’t sure he felt the same. Attraction? Sure. But being willing to reach for more? He might have too much past hurt.
As if she smelled blood in the water, Katelyn’s grin widened. “Don’t get too used to playing house up there. You’re not their mother, and you’re not Law’s wife. The truth is, he won’t need your help for long.”
She tossed her honey-blond hair over her shoulder and sashayed out the door.
I stared after her, my insides wringing themselves out like a wet towel. It wasn’t that I thought Law would jump at her offer; his waters ran deeper than that. But the playing house remark landed. Hit harder than I wanted to admit.
Because daydreams were all I’d allowed myself to have for so long, maybe I’d let them go too far. Maybe I was seeing the glimmer of more with Lawson because I wanted it so badly.
I forced those thoughts out of my head, quickly filling my basket and paying at the counter. I dropped the bags in the SUV and rounded the corner to the Cedar Ridge Veterinary Clinic. A bell jingled as I walked inside, and a full-faced woman grinned warmly at me.
“Hello, how can I help you today?”
I answered her smile the best I could. “I wanted to see if I could talk to someone about the litter of puppies.”
The woman clasped her hands together. “Wonderful! They’re snoozing right back here.”
I couldn’t help but peek over the reception wall. The second I did, my heart completely melted. The little balls of fur were a mix of grayish tan and black and were currently snoozing in a puppy pile.
“Want to come back and take a peek?” The woman held a swinging gate for me.
“Thank you.” I crossed behind the desk and crouched low. The second one of the puppies scented me, he lifted his head and sniffed the air. Letting out a little yip, he hurled himself at me.
I caught the little guy and gently cradled him to my chest. He rewarded me with a bite to the chin. I couldn’t help it, I laughed.
“Looks like you’ve been claimed,” a deeper voice said.
I looked up to see Damien standing nearby in a lab coat. “He’s a love.”
“That he is. Of the group, that one is full of the most mischief. You considering a puppy?”
I shook my head. “Well, kind of. Lawson wants to get one for Drew for his birthday in a couple weeks.”
Damien smiled, the action lighting his green eyes. “This fella would be perfect. But let me guess. You’ll be taking on puppy daycare?”
I laughed. “That I will. But I’m also in charge of picking one out, and I think this guy has sold me.”
The puppy batted at a strand of my hair and bit it.
The woman to my side laughed. “He’s going to make a great pet with a little training. Want me to mark you down for Red?”
I saw then that the puppy had a red string as a collar. “Sure.” I kissed the puppy’s head and set him back with his brothers and sisters. “When will they be ready?” I asked Damien.
“Right around Drew’s birthday. They just need another week and change with their mom.”
“That’s perfect. Thank you so much.” I relayed my phone number to Susan, the receptionist.
Damien guided me toward the door. “Put any more thought into that coffee?”
I couldn’t help the wince that surfaced.
I expected him to be annoyed, but he surprised me by laughing. “I’m taking that as a no.”
“I don’t want to waste your time. And right now, my heart’s somewhere else.”
Damien’s eyes flared in surprise. “Left someone behind?”
“Not exactly. It’s complicated.”
He waved me off. “You don’t owe me an explanation. I’ll have Susan call when Red’s ready to go. Give us a ring if you have any questions when getting all the puppy gear.”
“Thanks, Damien.”
He held the door for me, and I stepped out into the crisp sunlight. A smile played on my lips, thinking about the sweet puppy and how happy Drew would be. Distracted, I almost ran into someone.
I skittered back on my heels. “Sorry. I didn’t see you there.”
The familiar man with the beard stared down at me, his dark eyes blazing. “It’s you.”
“Sure,” I mumbled, trying to skirt around him.
His hand snaked out and grabbed my arm. Hard. “It’s you. Lost you. Need you back.”
My heart hammered in my chest, and black dots danced in front of my vision. I tried to jerk my arm free, but his grip was too strong. “Let go!”
“Lost you, but now I found you. Not letting you go now.”