Walk away, man. You’re supposed to be taking care of her on Liza’s request, not making out with her.Then Josh stiffened. Riley had a boyfriend.
She frowned. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s none of my business. I thought you had a boyfriend back home.”Please say no.
“Not anymore.”
All his muscles loosened because luck was on his side. Then his phone vibrated in his jeans pocket. He dug it out. “Drake, is everything okay?”
“Um. Kind of.” His tone said it wasn’t. “Your dad’s caretaker had to leave because of an emergency, so he’s at the inn with me. Are you on your way back?”
There wasn’t much they could do at Liza’s other than call the cops about the break-in, although Josh wasn’t sure it was a break-in. The mess could’ve happened the night before when Liza was arguing with that woman Grayson had mentioned.
“I’m leaving now.” Josh ended the call.
Dad would be fine at the inn. On many days, he spent time in the office, doing accounting and helping out where he could since he could still use his hands. But the inn was probably busy, and Dad had a knack for getting in the way, especially when he started telling everyone what to do.
“Everything okay? Is it Liza? Is she at the inn?” Riley held her breath.
Josh wrapped his arms around her. “My dad’s caregiver had to leave early.”
Her hands ended up under his T-shirt on his lower back.
Goose bumps fired up his arms. If they didn’t separate, he would probably go against his gentlemanly manners. “Let’s head back. We’ll regroup. I should take Salem with us.” Reluctantly, he let go of Riley and made quick work of getting Salem’s crate.
Riley gathered her hair and twisted it up on her head before securing it with a band she had around her wrist. “Should we call the police? This mess could be a result of a robbery.” She was learning to raise her voice around him.
He poked his head into Liza’s bedroom. Except for her nightstand drawer, everything else seemed to be in place, including the TV.
“I doubt anything was taken. Let’s give it twenty-four hours.” He couldn’t recall if he’d mentioned lip reading to Riley. “By the way, I can read lips too.”And I’ll be riveted to yours.
Her mouth formed a perfect O.
He checked the door. “If it was a break-in, then it was an expert.” The lock didn’t show any signs that it had been tampered with.
Riley rolled back her shoulders. “I’m staying here and waiting.”
She gave Josh the vibe that she was a strong woman and that she could handle herself. Regardless, he wasn’t leaving her alone. If in fact someone had broken in and hadn’t found what they were looking for, then they might be watching the place.
“I’d rather you not,” he said as he put Salem in her crate.
Charlie watched him intently.
“Then stay with me,” Riley said.
Josh’s body was saying yes, but the logic in him was saying no. He had a lot of willpower, but he was afraid being alone with Riley would lead them to the bedroom, and while that was something he would like to happen, it was too soon. Not only that, if he spent one night with Riley, he would be madly in love with her.
