My circling thoughts were interrupted when I heard the security guard arrive. I thought about going out there, but Cooper was speaking with him and sounded like he had it all under control. Was I breaking up with Cooper for no reason at all?
We had been a couple for a long time, sharing the work, looking out for each other.
He was doing it for me, still.
A little whilelater he entered the room. “A security guard is stationed. Twenty-four hours a day for a couple weeks, then we talk.”
“What did you tell him he was guarding for?”
He chuckled, “I told him that if he spots a medieval-looking guy in the yard, to shoot on sight.”
“You did not, what if it was…” I didn’t finish because I realized he was joking.
He raised his brow. “Torin? Well first of all, yes, I think he’s the number one suspect for all the danger and upset, but I am joking, I did not tell them to shoot on sight, I don’t have that much power. The guard’s name is Marcus, his job is to circle the yard, watch for trouble, batten down the house if a storm comes — that part is just for the weather, he thinks. I told him that you were recovering from an illness so he should close all the doors and windows if a storm came. I told him we’ve been having weird weather. He bought it.”
“So you didn’t tell him to shoot Torin?”
“No, of course not, I wouldn’t do that, Lexi. I’m grateful that he saved your life.”
He added, “Not too happy that he kept you in the past until you were at death’s door.”
“He didn’t keep me, the device didn’t work.”
“Sure, right? So what made it work?”
“I don’t know, I think there was a metallic band around the middle of it, that controlled it, as if it overrode its abilities. I don’t know… I noticed it and was messing with it. Dude messed with it, and then the vessel worked.”
He smiled at the cat and scratched him between the ears. “Dude’s a good boy.”
I smiled.
He said, “I’m moving out my things, mind if I take some kitchen stuff?”
“No, not at all.” I felt a little like crying. “I’m really sorry.”
He said, “Yeah me too.”
He turned and left the room.
Around three,Jen pulled into the driveway.
I heard her voice talking to Coop, though I couldn’t hear what they said.
Then she walked in, with a frown. “Ah honey.”
“I know!” I burst into tears.
She sat down on the couch, shoving me aside, and put her arms around me. She held me while I cried. Then she pulled away and wiped my tears. “Holy shit, sweetie, you’re falling apart.”
“I know! I just got kidnapped, had an intestinal infection in the middle ages, broke up with my long-time boyfriend, and… and…” I sobbed. “Torin left me!”
“Oh honey, this is terrible. When you put it like that… I think you need a cookie. Have you had a cookie?” She reached into her purse and pulled out a ziplock bag, full of her favorite cookies, and shook them.
“You made your favorite cookies for me?”
“You betcha, used extra cranberries and white chocolate chips, you’re welcome. Double batch.” She unzipped the top and put it on my stomach. I looked inside.
“This is like twelve, where are the rest?”
