Chapter 7
Willow rose early, anxious about the security person who would be arriving before lunch.
She quickly dressed in jeans, a sweatshirt over a cotton T-shirt, and thick socks.
After breakfast, like most mornings when the weather allowed, she took her coffee cup to her back deck.
She had pulled on a heavy, furry-lined jacket, knowing that the early morning temperatures were dropping.
She craved the brisk autumn air but wanted to be wrapped up for warmth.
The Nebraska sky stretched endlessly above her, painted in soft shades of pink and gold as the sun climbed higher.
Her phone rang, and she smiled seeing Aaliyah's name on the caller ID. "Good morning."
"Good morning to you, too," Aaliyah replied, her voice carrying its usual professional warmth. "How are you feeling today? Any better after talking to that security company?"
Willow settled deeper into her chair, cradling the warm mug between her palms. "A little. They took my fears and didn’t act as though I was losing my mind or being overly dramatic.
He even said that what I described was escalating behavior.
Plus, I can breathe easier knowing help is actually coming, and I will have a security system.
" She paused, watching a hawk circle lazily in the distance.
"The security specialist should be arriving this morning. "
"That's good. What did his boss tell you about him?"
"His name is Mr. Caspani. Leo told me that he was former military.
He should be very experienced, and his boss said he would be good at staying in the background.
" Willow took a sip of her coffee, trying to imagine what this man would be like.
"Mr. Bishop seemed confident he was sending the right person for the situation. "
"I wish we could figure out who's doing this to you," Aaliyah said, her voice tight with concern. "But with so many possible people wanting to grab onto a little bit of fame by association, the best we can hope for is just to keep you safe."
"That's exactly what I want," Willow admitted, her fingers unconsciously tightening around her mug. "When I bought this house, I knew it didn’t have a security system. The windows and doors don’t have alarms, but I didn’t think about that when I moved in."
"Well, when you moved there, you also didn’t think anyone would bother following you to the middle of Nebraska."
"That's right. I just hoped that getting out of LA and finding somewhere with wide open spaces would let me stay creative while keeping me out of the spotlight." Willow's gaze swept across the prairie that stretched to the horizon, the place that had felt like a sanctuary until recently.
"What about those hang-up calls? Do you want to consider getting a new phone number?"
"Maybe, but I think I should see what the security specialist recommends first. If he thinks it's necessary, I'll certainly follow his advice.
" She groaned softly, her head falling back against the chair.
"What a pain in the ass, though. I hate the idea of having to change my phone number.
It would have to be shared with so many people for business reasons, and then how secure would that really be? "
"I wonder what this security person will look like?" Aaliyah mused, her tone shifting to a more playful one.
Willow laughed despite her anxiety. "Looks like? I'm more concerned with how competent he is and whether he'll completely disrupt my writing routine."
"Well, you know how those romance novels always feature the former military bodyguard who's devastatingly handsome..."
"Aaliyah! It sounds like you've been reading too many romance novels and thinking the heroes actually exist in real life. I'm afraid that's pure fiction. I should know… I create them!"
"Hey, I've seen some bodyguards in LA who were definitely easy on the eyes," Aaliyah protested with mock indignation.
"I honestly don't care what he looks like as long as he's good at his job and doesn't try to take over my entire house while he's figuring out what needs to be upgraded." Willow stood and walked to the deck railing, her free hand gripping the weathered wood. "I just want my peace back."
"Will he be going with you to LA next week?"
"I think so. Mr. Bishop asked specifically about any upcoming travel plans, so I assume that's part of the package."
After spending a few more minutes reviewing her agenda for the Los Angeles trip and confirming some meeting times, they ended the call.
Willow remained on the deck for another moment, breathing deeply of the crisp air and trying to calm the butterflies that had taken up residence in her stomach.
She felt nervous about someone coming to stay in her house, invading the sanctuary she'd worked so hard to create.
But underneath the anxiety was a thread of excitement.
The possibility of feeling completely secure in her home again would make any temporary inconvenience worthwhile.
Later in the morning, the distant sound of tires crunching over gravel made her heart skip.
She hurried to peer through the front window, watching as a dark SUV approached down her long driveway.
For a moment, her chest tightened with the old fear.
What if this wasn't the person from the security company?
What if this was the person who had been watching her?
The vehicle came to a stop in front of her house, and she watched as a man climbed from the driver's seat. Even from a distance, she could tell he was much larger than she’d imagined and felt her pulse quicken as she hurried to the front door.
The doorbell chimed, and she pressed the intercom button with a slightly trembling finger. "Yes?"
"Ms. Thorton? I'm Aldo Caspani from Lighthouse Security Investigations."
His deep, calm voice had a quiet authority that immediately relaxed her shoulders slightly. "Could I see some identification, please?"
"Of course. I have it here.”
Through the security hole, she watched him hold up his ID for her to see. But before she could even process what she was seeing, he spoke again.
"Take a screenshot and send it to Leo Parker or if you prefer, my boss, Logan Bishop. Take your time and don't open the door until you're completely comfortable that I am who I say I am."
She was already impressed by his professionalism and attention to her safety. Quickly, she captured the image and sent it to both Logan and Leo. Within moments, both men confirmed that Aldo Caspani was indeed Logan's employee and could be trusted.
Taking a deep breath, Willow unlocked the deadbolt and pulled the door open.
Her first impression hit her like a physical force.
The man standing on her doorstep was not just tall.
He was imposing in a way that seemed to fill the entire doorframe.
Clean but well-worn jeans stretched across powerful thighs, and heavy work boots suggested someone who was used to being on his feet in challenging conditions.
His fleece-lined jacket was practical rather than fashionable, the kind of gear chosen for function over form.
But his face truly captured her attention.
His hair was closely shaved on the sides with a strip of dark hair down the middle.
The style might have looked ridiculous or like someone was trying too hard for a tough look on another man, but on him, it seemed perfectly natural.
The sharp angles of his face, the intelligent glint in his dark eyes, and his sheer physical presence created an aura of quiet competence that didn't need any artificial enhancement.
Her writer's imagination immediately began spinning scenarios.
He could be the brooding hero of a motorcycle romance, all leather and danger and protective instincts.
Or perhaps the fierce warrior from one of her Celtic historical romances, the kind of man who would fight armies to defend what was his.
She realized she was staring and felt heat creep up her neck. "Welcome, Mr. Caspani. I'm Willow." She stepped back from the doorway, suddenly uncertain of the protocol for inviting a stranger into her home, even one she'd hired for protection.
"It's nice to meet you, Ms. Thorton." His voice carried the same calm authority she'd heard through the intercom, but now she could detect a gentleness that seemed at odds with his intimidating appearance.
"Please, call me Willow."
He dipped his chin in acknowledgment, a gesture that seemed characteristic of his minimal communication style. "I'm Aldo, but most people call me Casper."
Her eyes widened with curiosity, and she smiled for the first time that morning. "I want you to be comfortable in my home, so I'll call you whatever you prefer. If your friends call you Casper, then that's what I'll use, too."
Another slight nod indicated she'd given an answer he appreciated.
He didn’t appear to need much casual conversation, and she was grateful to note that he didn't seem starstruck or overly impressed by meeting her. Too many people in her past had either treated her like a museum piece or tried to become her best friend within the first five minutes of meeting her.
She watched as he bent to unlace his boots. When he straightened and stepped out of them, setting them neatly beside her door, she noticed he was wearing thick wool socks, similar to the ones she had on. It was another practical detail that somehow made him seem more human and less intimidating.
"I'll take your jacket and hang it in the closet," she offered, gesturing toward the coat closet near the entryway, "or you can hang it right there if you prefer." She indicated the wooden coat tree that stood beside the door.
"This will be fine," he said, unzipping his jacket and shrugging it from his broad shoulders before hanging it carefully on the coat tree.
With the jacket removed, Willow could see the fitted black T-shirt underneath, stretched across a chest and shoulders that spoke of serious physical conditioning.
When he pushed the sleeves up slightly, revealing muscled forearms marked with what looked like the edges of tattoos, she had to make a conscious effort to keep her gaze focused on his face rather than cataloging the impressive physical specimen standing in her entryway.
Having spent years being objectified and reduced to her physical appearance, she was determined not to do the same thing to him.
But she couldn't deny that Casper was striking in a way that had nothing to do with conventional Hollywood handsomeness.
He was rough around the edges and undeniably masculine, with a quiet intensity that made her feel safer just having him in the same room.
"Would you like some coffee?" she offered, gesturing toward the kitchen. "I just made a fresh pot."
"That would be appreciated," he replied, following her deeper into the house.
She glanced behind her and found his gaze moving over the surroundings, and realized he was more interested in her security needs than in looking at her. She let out a soft sigh of relief, glad to see he was the professional Leo had described.
Once in the kitchen, Willow stole glances at this man who would be sharing her space, protecting her life, and quite possibly changing everything about her carefully ordered world.
In the few minutes that she had been in his presence, he certainly gave off don’t-fuck-with-me vibes.
Or maybe don’t-fuck-with-me-or-mine vibes.
She pressed her lips together, knowing he just might become a muse for her writing. Wouldn’t Aaliyah love that?
As she poured his coffee and fixed another cup for herself, she smiled. The morning had started with anxiety and uncertainty. Now, with Casper's solid presence filling her home, she felt something she hadn't experienced in weeks… the possibility of being genuinely safe.