Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
Inside the police garage, Emma climbed into the back seat of a vehicle with dark-tinted windows.
Cap had told her this was the vehicle he used for undercover drug deal operations when he worked for the police department as a drug investigator.
Even knowing that, the heavy door closing beside her sent a ripple of unease through her chest.
Cap pulled out of the garage and rounded the block until he reached Michigan Street, where he turned right and headed toward the highway.
He crossed over the highway and took a left on the road just past a large buck statue.
That road T-eed into another county road where he hung a right.
They passed farmland before the scenery narrowed into woods on both sides.
The road curved as it approached the water.
She glimpsed a road sign that said Glidden Drive.
The constant sway of the SUV on the overly curvy road churned her stomach.
Or, maybe it was the anxiety from all that had gone on in the past twenty-four hours.
Either way, she needed to get off this road.
Cap was quiet. In the rearview mirror, she studied his face. He was all business, jaw tight, eyes scanning, hands steady on the wheel.
“We’re almost there.”
“Good.”
Large, luxurious homes lined the water side of the road, with a few small cottages sprinkled between them. Probably ‘old’ family cottages. On the opposite side of the road, cabins and modest homes sat tucked among the trees.
Cap navigated a sharp curve. The contents of her stomach sloshed. If she didn’t get out of this car soon, she’d throw up.
Cap turned onto a driveway cut through cedar trees that led to a small log cabin.
A county squad sat parked next to the porch. A female deputy exited the car, walked over to the detached garage, and manually opened the garage door. Cap pulled into it and cut the engine.
“Hi, Cap.”
“Hey, Donna.”
So they knew each other. Donna looked to be in her late forties. She was tall and slim, and looked competent, especially with the duty belt.
“Everything’s set for you. I’ll be here until shift change, and then Deputy Schneider will be on watch.”
“Thanks. Donna, this is Emma. Emma, this is Deputy Vanderwood.”
“Hi.”
“Hello. You’ll be safe here,” Deputy Vanderwood assured.
The deputy turned to Cap. “The clothes I picked up from Cici are in the bedroom.”
“Appreciate it.”
Deputy Vanderwood looked at her. “If what Cici sent for you doesn’t work, let me know, and we’ll figure something out.”
It was a nice thing that Cici and Donna had done for her. Part of the Door County small town charm that didn’t disappoint.
“Okay.”
“Go on in and make yourselves comfortable. I’ll be right out here.”
Cap didn’t stop scanning the woods. Slow, deliberate sweeps. He was on high-alert. After one more sweep, he motioned for her to walk toward the small cabin. She climbed the three steps that led to the front door, and he moved ahead of her and opened it.
The cabin was small but charming. Perfect for a weekend getaway if only this were that.
The kitchen and living room shared a single space.
White appliances, pine cabinets, and a small peninsula with two stools.
A leather loveseat faced a stone fireplace, subtly dividing the room.
A single recliner sat near a large bay window.
Cap went straight to the windows, closing blinds and curtains one by one. The view disappeared, and with it, the illusion of safety. She understood why, even if it made her chest ache.
Cap gestured to the hallway. “Through here is a bathroom and two small bedrooms. You can take the one on the right,” he said as he opened the door for her to enter.
A duffel bag sat at the foot of the bed. She presumed that it was full of the clothing Cici picked up for her. She’d been wearing the same outfit she’d worn for the charter yesterday. Lucky for her, the material was light and dried quickly when she’d been soaked through by the rain.
“Great. I need a shower and to change.”
Cap nodded and shut the door.
He was a man of few words, especially since the decision had been made for him to stay with her.
Even though she wanted—needed him to talk, she stayed somewhat quiet herself to not interrupt his thought process.
She’d become fully aware that her life depended on him staying sharp and that she needed him to do what he did best.
She opened the duffel bag to find a couple pairs of leggings and shorts, a pair of jeans, a few shirts, a light hoodie, tennis shoes, a pack of underwear and two bras.
All in the sizes she’d told Cici. A cosmetic bag filled with necessities was tucked off to the side.
She grabbed the cosmetic bag, black leggings, a long pale pink t-shirt, underclothes, and slipped across the hall into the bathroom.
The tiny bathroom was about as small as possible to fit a sink, toilet, and a bathtub with a showerhead. Not only was it clean, but it smelled clean, too.
She almost didn’t recognize herself in the mirror.
Not one ounce of makeup remained on her face.
Dark circles wrapped around her eyes, and her hair was clumped in sections.
A thin scratch about an inch long ran over her cheek, resembling one a person would get from a cat with razor claws.
She had no memory of how that had happened.
In this condition, she couldn’t believe that Cap hadn’t run away from her as fast as possible. Yet, he stayed and agreed to watch over her.
After shedding her clothes, she climbed in the shower.
The piping-hot water was comforting to her dreary skin and loosened aching muscles.
The events of the past twenty-four hours had carved tension into her neck, shoulders, and back.
She tilted her head to her left shoulder, and then her right and stretched her arms up, back, and to the sides, the best she could in the small shower.
She lathered her hair and scrubbed her scalp, then applied conditioner and let that soak in while she ran the soothing, soapy washcloth over her body. The water cooled, letting her know she’d better get the conditioner rinsed out of her hair before it got too cold to tolerate.
When she finished rinsing her hair, she patted it with a towel and then towel-dried her body.
She spread lotion on herself and then dressed.
After she combed out her hair, she eyed her reflection in the mirror.
She still needed a bit of work. The toiletry bag Cici had sent along to her had some face lotion, blush, mascara, and eyeliner.
Just the basics, but she was thrilled to have it.
It took but a minute to apply it. At least she didn’t look so ragged now.
The second she exited the bathroom, the wonderful aroma of food hit her. She hadn’t eaten all day, and she was absolutely famished, especially now that her stomach had settled down from the curvy ride.
Cap stood over the stove, tongs in hand. He glanced over his shoulder when he sensed her.
“I hope you like chicken breasts and rice.”
“Yes, very much.”
“Great. It seemed like the quickest thing I could prepare for dinner, and I’m starving.”
She bet he was. He probably hadn’t eaten anything all day either.
He spun back around, and she couldn’t help but eye him up. A black t-shirt stretched over broad shoulders and was snug at his slim waist. The sight of how well his black tactical pants fit his butt caused her mouth to water.
The heels of his black boots thudded on the wood floor when he turned to face her.
This man was drop-dead gorgeous and sin on a stick in his black attire.
Her gaze floated to the gun on his hip, reminding her of the danger they were in.
Is this how he dressed every day in his previous job?
How had some woman not snatched him up already?
Thank God no one had. She nearly giggled aloud at that thought.
Yesterday, when they’d first met, she thought him arrogant and unkind.
Today, she couldn’t feel more different.
He was selfless, kind and had no obligation to help her whatsoever, yet here he stood watching over her and cooking her dinner.
“Dinner is almost done.”
“What can I help with?”
“I guess you can find us some plates and utensils.”
She rummaged through the cabinets and drawers, found what they needed, and placed it on the countertop next to the stove.
“What else do we have here?” she asked as she moved over to the refrigerator and took a peek.
Inside were a dozen eggs, milk, soda, cheese, and lunch meat. The basics.
“Who stocked this?”
“Cici did, and she gave it to Donna.”
“Your sister is fabulous. I like the clothes she picked out for me.”
He smiled. “She’s almost as amazing as her brother.”
“Yeah, from what little I know, Hunter sounds fabulous.”
His grin stretched. “Very funny.”
“How about you? Any siblings?”
“Just me. My parents stopped at perfection.”
“You’re so witty.”
Cap grabbed a plate and placed a chicken breast on it, and then a scoop of rice. He handed her the plate and then filled his plate.
“I’ll get the drinks. What would you like? Soda, milk, water?” Emma asked,
“Milk and water.”
“Coming right up.”
They sat side by side at the small peninsula.
She tasted a bite of chicken. “This is good.”
“Kind of hard to screw up chicken,” Cap replied.
The room fell silent, giving her time to reflect. What a mess she found herself in, and she wondered how long she’d have to stay in this cabin. A couple of days? A week? She just wanted to go home and pretend this never happened. Better yet, rewind her life back to what it was before Jonathan.
Turning her head, she looked at Cap, who forked the last of his food and popped it into his mouth. He chewed, swallowed, and then washed it down with the last of his water.
He caught her stare.
“What?” he asked.
“Nothing,” she replied as she shifted her gaze back to her plate.
Cap rose and carried his plate to the sink, where he rinsed it and placed it on the countertop, then spun around and took her empty plate.
“What happens now?” she asked.
“We wait. Chief has posted on social media that you’re missing and included a description of Jonathan’s truck, hoping people will post tips so that the Colombians still think you are in the area. If they’re still here, it should draw them out.”
Renewed fear crept up her spine.
In an instant, Cap’s arm wrapped around her, and he pulled her tight to his hard-muscled body. Without hesitation, she leaned into him, soaking up his warmth and strength.
“You’ll be fine. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
His warm breath washed over her.
“I’m sorry. It’s just a little overwhelming. You must think I’m the biggest wuss ever.”
Cap’s hold loosened, and he slid his hands from around her back, over her shoulders, and didn’t stop until his palms rested on her cheeks. Her face heated in the comfort of his touch.
His warm chestnut gaze held hers. “Wuss, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
I can’t believe you’d even think that. What you are doing here is beyond brave.
Most people would have run for the hills, but you stayed to help lure out a drug dealer and get him off the streets.
That matters. You’re saving lives at the risk of your own. ”
His last words echoed in her head. Risk of your own. Her breath hitched.
Cap’s expression tightened. Regret flashed in his eyes.
“It won’t come to that. I won’t let it. You’ll be fine,” he added.
He lowered his head and pressed his lips lightly to hers, then lingered as if waiting for her to set the tone. The tingling sensation rippling through her entire body let her know what she wanted to do. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in for more.
Soft kisses ensued, but she needed more, so she parted her lips to invite his tongue into her mouth. His warm tongue soothed her nerves. Slowly, he kissed her senseless. Comforting her. Giving her exactly what she needed. Not too much, and not too little, teetering on the line. How did he know?