Chapter 32 Maybe the End - Maybe Not
Chief Theodore Landry lifted his head from where he sat in his dark kitchen, his body thrumming with life, the heat coursing through his veins in that heady way when he was interrupted by the sound of his doorbell.
He frowned, looking at his watch, and wondered who it would be.
No one knew where he lived. He'd bought the small victorian-style house on the edge of town, sitting on three acres and most of it heavily wooded.
When he moved here he had been careful about giving out personal details. It was easy in his position, coming off as professional, maybe a little cold.
Which he was.
More than any of his officers, or this strange town, knew.
He wiped his mouth with a paper towel and ran his hand over his jaw and face carefully before he made his way through the dark house to the front door.
The front door opened, but he kept his hand on it and when he saw his visitor standing on the porch holding a basket he felt shock roll through him.
"Miss Nguyen," he said, his voice coming out gruff.
"Chief," she responded.
He looked around. She was alone. When he looked back at her, her dark eyes behind her green glasses were watching him like she was trying to figure something out.
There was something about her. She was pretty, sure, but he felt drawn to her from the first moment he saw her, something he hadn't and wouldn't dwell on. That's not why he was here.
"Can I help you?"
She held up the basket. "I brought you honey wine and Kelsea's magical chocolate cake."
He looked at the basket. Then to her. "You brought me wine and cake," he said.
"Mhmm," she smiled brightly.
"Why?"
"Because you saved Bess's life. And you believed us about Cassidy." She shrugged her petite shoulders. "And you're new in town and I wasn't sure if anyone had properly welcomed you yet."
A gust of almost-summer wind wound around her and brushed up against his senses, which was dangerous. She smelled sweet and honest. He clenched his jaw.
"Well, it's my job. Happy that Bess is alright," he drawled.
"You're from Texas, right?"
What was this? He thought southern charm and nosiness would be left behind in Texas when he moved to the northeast. He just stared at her. Usually people got the message because he was a big, intimidating guy. The less he said, the more they understood.
But this little thing smiled. "Well, I won't take up more of your time. Hope to see you around, Chief." She stepped forward, handed him the basket, her soft hand brushed his and he stiffened. A jolt shot through him. He had to stop his breathing for a moment.
But then she stepped back and waved shyly as she walked down the steps and to her car.
He watched her drive away. Then he let himself pull in a large breath.
He made his way back into the dark house, through the foyer and living room to the kitchen where he sat the basket down next to the paper towel he'd left there.
The dark red that he'd wiped from his mouth stained the white puckered cloth and he sighed.
He ran the tip of his tongue over his teeth, the familiar sharpness a comfort as he thought about that night and saving the girl.
He'd been careful. Had he been careful enough?
The way that Miss Nguyen had looked at him.
..no. Surely she would not have come here alone if she had any inkling.
He looked down at the basket that still faintly smelled of her.
Guess he was having chocolate cake and wine after his dinner.