Chapter 20 #2
“Fine,” I said. “I will get in the truck. But I—” I broke off as Jeremiah shifted into park and climbed out.
God, he was tall. I hated that my pulse fluttered.
“Um. I don’t want to hear one word from you.
I realize that doing a little keyboard investigating isn’t really a big deal.
Everyone does that before a date so they don’t wind up getting murdered.
” It was really hard to stay on my high horse when he tucked me against his side and walked me around his truck to the passenger side, but I did my best. “I understand that I am probably overreacting but, just so you know, I intend to keep doing that for a while longer.”
His mouth quirked. He opened the door and guided me in. “All right.”
“Good.” I flounced into the seat and reached for the seatbelt, but he was already there, buckling me in like he was afraid I would change my mind.
He rounded the hood of the truck and settled back into the driver’s seat. A quick check in his mirrors, and then he steered us to the correct side of the road. Silently. He kept his word, not speaking until we parked at the lodge.
Before he even turned off the engine, I hopped out, making a beeline for the stables.
“Lennon! Where are you going?”
“To pet a fucking horse!” I hollered back. “For my fucking mental health!”
I heard him mutter a stream of curses, followed by the truck door slamming shut.
I broke into a jog. The stable was quiet as I entered.
My heart sank as I passed empty stall after empty stall.
Dammit. I really wanted to pet a horse. There was something about the velvety nose of an animal that made bad things more bearable.
Footsteps sounded behind me, but I didn’t turn.
“The horses aren’t here. The ranch hands use them for working cattle and other chores, and the rest are on the trail ride Mateo is leading. I’m sorry, honey.”
I whirled, hands on hips. “Then bring me a goat!” I bellowed.
He eyed me warily, then dragged his hand through his hair and tugged. “Wait here.”
I waited. A moment later he returned with a hen under his arm. She was white and plump, with a speckled black head and tail, and bright red comb.
“A goat isn’t any fun to cuddle, honey, trust me. They’ll eat your dress. Or your hair. How about a chicken?”
I held out my arms. “Give her to me.”
He transferred her over. She was soft and surprisingly light.
I wanted to squeeze her, but I had the feeling her fragile bird bones could not withstand my affection, so instead I gently cuddled her against my chest. She clucked softly.
I stroked a finger down her back, marveling at how fluffy she was.
“What’s her name?” I asked.
“Henrietta.”
“I have had a terrible day, Henrietta,” I told her. “My stalker is back and the man who gives me belly butterflies is a goddamn liar.”
“I give you belly butterflies?”
The vulnerable ache in his tone made me want to cuddle him like Henrietta.
“Shut up,” I said.
Henrietta made a cute little bock-bock sound. Chickens were delightful. No wonder Holly carried Mother Clucker everywhere.
“I get it now.” I rubbed my cheek against her silky feathers. “Don’t tell Holly.”
Jeremiah chuckled softly. “Your secret is safe with me.”
I peered up at him from the safety of chicken feathers. “Is it? Because I don’t feel very safe with you right now.”
Shocked pain crossed his expression. “You are safe with me, Lennon. I promise.”
I sighed. “You know, ever since I came here, something felt off to me. The whole ranch was…weird. It was nothing like the website, which makes sense now. I expected there to be other women around, but the only other guests are men. They’ve been nice, but they have this bond with each other, even though they all came here as strangers, that I just don’t have.
Now I get it. I’m not supposed to be here.
The thing is, though…” I rolled my lips, trying to make sense of the emotions roiling inside me.
“You knew that all along. I didn’t tell you I wore a mask.
You knew. You knew I was a cam girl, not a first responder.
You knew I shouldn’t be here. And you said nothing.
You kissed me, and you still said nothing. Why?”
“Because you kissed me, and I wanted it to be real.” He cupped my cheek, his thumb tracing my bottom lip.
His blue-gray eyes bored into mine. “Fuck, Lennon. I didn’t tell you because I wanted you to tell me.
It never occurred to me you were tricked into coming here, and I didn’t look into you until after that night at Sundown. ”
Some of the ache in my chest eased at his words.
He went on, “I didn’t trust you from the moment you arrived, that’s true, and I thought Miguel’s accident—”
I jerked back. “What does Miguel’s accident have to do with anything? I’ve never even met him before.”
“Lennon.” His brows pinched as he stared down at me.
“I don’t know how or why yet, but there is not a doubt in my mind that Miguel’s accident has everything to do with you.
Sherwood thinks he was run off the road.
It’s too much of a coincidence for me to believe your stalker lured you here the same week someone tried to kill him. ”
“Oh my god.” I clutched Henrietta closer as the enormity of my situation finally sank in. “Oh my god.”
My stalker had created an elaborate setup to lure me here. No one would go to all that trouble without a reason. I didn’t know who he was or what he had planned for me, but I sure as fuck wasn’t sticking around to find out.
“I have to leave. Right now. I have to…” Fuck, fuck, fuck. I didn’t have anywhere to go. Nowhere safe, anyway. “I have to go join a nunnery or something.”
He snorted a laugh. “You are not joining a fucking nunnery, Lennon. Give me the chicken.”
“No.” I dodged his hands. “She’s coming with me. For emotional support. And eggs.”
“Lennon.”
“Fine,” I huffed, handing her over. “She’d probably shit all over my car, anyway.”
Car. My eyes squeezed shut. The car wasn’t mine. It belonged to Benny’s friend’s ninety-year-old mother.
“I think you’re on the verge of another panic attack. Breathe, baby.”
I opened my eyes to glare at him. “You’re goddamn right I’m having a panic attack. I’m trapped at this ranch with my stalker, and I don’t even know what he looks like, by the way, so he could sneak up on me at any moment. I’m scared. I’m—”
Whatever I was going to say next was silenced by the firm, gentle press of his mouth on mine. When my lips relaxed, he pulled back. “Safe, honey. You’re safe. I fucked up. It won’t happen again.”
I searched his face. He meant it.
He touched his forehead to mine. “From now until we find this asshole, you don’t leave my sight.”