Chapter 41
Shelby didn’t want Gray to leave. It was after midnight and they were saying good night on her stoop. He’d insisted on following
her home and refused to stay, fearing his presence would endanger her.
The paramedics had treated his wound at his house. The bullet took a nice chunk from his shoulder, but his arm was working
okay. She couldn’t believe how close she’d come to losing him.
While the paramedics cleaned his wound, her dad and brother boarded up his windows with some plywood from his garage. She’d
convinced him his home wasn’t safe so he was headed for the Lakeside Inn, which had clean, cozy rooms and interior entryways.
But the nightmare they’d been through tonight made it hard to part ways with him.
Especially since Mason Remington was on the case. He’d feigned concern and acted determined to find the perpetrator. But she
and Gray knew better. Surely the cop hadn’t been behind this crime. But then, he was just smug enough to believe he could
get away with it.
Who would believe them though?
“Hey.” Gray smoothed a hand over her hair. “Stop worrying. Everyone’s fine.”
“For now. Someone’s going to great lengths to chase you out of town, Gray. Someone could’ve been killed tonight.”
“I don’t think that was the intention though. They were just trying to scare me off.”
“They shot at your house! You could’ve died.”
He took her chin in his hands. “It’s just a scratch. I’m fine.”
For now. But things were escalating, and whoever had done this wouldn’t give up. Gray wasn’t safe here. “What are we going
to do?”
“I’ll start by going to the police station first thing in the morning just as I’d planned. I’ll have a word with the chief.
If I don’t, I’m afraid tonight will be the beginning and the end of the investigation.”
The idea buoyed her spirit. “What time? I’ll meet you there.”
“ No. Not after someone shot at my house. You’re already too involved in this. I can handle it myself.”
“But Chief Jameson knows my family. My presence might make a difference.”
“I’ll be casting aspersions on one of his officers—serious ones. I’m more likely to make an enemy of him, and I don’t want
you getting caught in the cross fire.”
Maybe he was right, but she still wanted to go. However, he had that stubborn look on his face that told her she wouldn’t
get her way on this one. She felt so helpless. Tears threatened. “I don’t like this at all.”
His expression softened as he took her in. “It’s late, honey. We’re both exhausted and need some sleep. Things’ll seem better
in the morning.”
But would they? Nothing would change overnight. The Remingtons would still want Gray gone. The town would still be boycotting
her store. How could a relationship between Gray and her ever work? And how would she give him up when she loved him so much?
The thoughts stole her breath away.
As if sensing her despair, he pulled her into his arms and held her tight. “I love you, Shel.”
Her heart squeezed tight. Her throat constricted. “I love you too.” But would that be enough?
“Lock up behind me.”
“I will. Be careful.”
She tightened her arms around him, buried her face in the cradle of his neck. She never wanted to let him go. But in her heart
of hearts, she feared she might have to do just that.