She flipped on the switch, illuminating the homey little place.
“Yep. A thousand square feet of luxury.”
She grimaced. “Luxury? Maybe if I’d been born in the fifties.”
“Now, Solene. Not everyone has your touch when it comes to interior decorating.”
“You got that right.” She sighed. “What now?”
“Go explore. I’ll bring the bags in. Then we get a good night’s rest, see what Hammer and Noel turn up, and get started in the morning.”
“Started what?”
“Our investigation.” At the thought, his blood started pumping. “Lock up after me. I’ll be right back.”
Solene checkedout the small cabin, reevaluating its charm. Though a bit shabby, it had a comforting feel. Old hardwoods, outdated yet functional appliances, Shaker-style furniture and dark blue walls emphasized the woodwork in the place.
The house consisted of a living room with the dining table between it and the kitchen, a large bathroom complete with a clawfoot tub and shower, and one bedroom. One. Fit with a king-size bed.
She wondered where Deacon thought he might be sleeping. Then again, after what they’d just experienced, she’d feel better next to him than by herself—where anyone could come in and grab her.
She shivered, still unsettled that men had come into her home and tried to…what? Kidnap her? Kill her? Kill Deacon?
She had no doubt that the intruders had been tied to the Noel Jr. situation. But why drag her into it? She was already involved, yes, but only as a bystander. No one of importance. But better her than Addy or the baby, she thought. Solene could handle herself.
She had when she’d nearly been taken at her daycare.
Her daycare…
Crap.
“Deacon?” She called for him, anxious about work.
He reappeared and locked up behind him using a fancy keypad by the door. The cabin might be old-fashioned, but the locks were state-of-the-art. “What’s wrong?”
“The daycare. If they tried for me at home, I bet they’ll do something at my work. We have to—”
“We thought about that. Another reason to keep you away from work is to mitigate problems around the kids. They want you. Not your daycare. Not Little Dee,” he said, almost to himself, and frowned. “Why is that? First, they come after Noel. Not the baby. Then they go for Addy. Because she’s with Noel? Because they can see how much she means to him, maybe?”
“So why are they after me?” She infused a moment of humor, needing it badly. “Oh, right, because they’ve seen you panting after me.”
He nodded instead of correcting her. “Must be it. They know I want you. I’m terminally in lust.”
“Deacon.”
He grinned. “What? It’s true.” He regarded her with a contemplative look. “It seems as though they’ve moved their focus from Noel to me. And by extension onto you. I’m the one who’s been guarding you. I’m the one who’s protective when it comes to you.”
“So is Hammer.”
“Yeah, but I’m usually the one with you. I get the feeling it’s my turn to be tested.” He dropped the bags to the floor. “Man. This is giving me a weird feeling.”
“Weird good or weird bad?”
“Weird familiar. I swear it’s right there, at the edge of my mind. A pattern I’m missing. I just can’t think of it.” He swore, no doubt frustrated. “I’m sorry you got dragged into this, Solene.”
She blinked, not having expected that apology. “Not your fault.”
“Obviously it is. I’m just not sure how it is.” He sighed. “Let’s get some rest. And before you argue, I know there’s only one bed, but it’s safer if—”
