“Wow! But if my feet get better, can you do shoes for me then too?” Sophie asks shyly.
Margot nods and smiles.
“Of course, honey. Anytime. But let’s not keep your dad waiting, okay?”
“We’re gonna miss you,” Dan says firmly, pushing Sophie out of the way so he can steal a hug. “You staying here with Dad?”
We share another look.
That’s something else to figure out, but I let the kids get their goodbyes out first.
“Keep him from doing anything stupid,” Dan warns, and Margot laughs.
“Do you think he will?”
“You never know. He’s a tough dad but sometimes they’re too brave to know better. They bite off more than they can chew,” Dan says, so seriously I haul him back gently.
“Okay, buddy. This Neanderthal says it’s time to get in the car.”
Their faces harden as they look around the house one more time, like they’re still saying some dramatic goodbye in their heads.
I take the opportunity to pull Margot aside.
“Hey.” I take her hand, squeezing gently. “Come with us. There are extra seats on the plane. I could buy us tickets right now to go with them.”
Her brows knit together as she stares at me. “This is my house, Kane. I’m not done here. With Gramps, I’m so close.”
“I know,” I say gruffly.
“This person, they’re after you, right? The note said it.”
And I’m not sure why the fuck I should trust a monster.
I want to drag her to the vehicle and back to New York, but I have no right. This is her inheritance, her house, her life.
It isn’t my place. Especially when my presence here has gotten in her way.
“If you won’t come with us, head to Portland,” I say, almost pleading with her now. “Just for a few days. Enough time to let the clown who left that note know we’re gone. You read it,” I whisper. “He wants you out of the way so he can face me alone. I’ll stay here and watch the house, and wait for—”
She reaches up, grazing my jaw and silencing me.
“You, Kane,” she says, “are an adorably dumb Saint.”
“Margot—”
“I’m not leaving yet. This is my house, and I’ll stick it out until I find whatever Gramps hid behind that glass door. Maybe I’m not Army trained or whatever like you, but we have the security system, and I know this town. I’d be crazy to bow out now.”
“Just a few days. Less than a week,” I mutter.
It’s a losing battle, but I have to try.
“That’s a no from me. If you’re so determined to come back here and help before some unhinged weirdo follows you home, then so am I.”
Damn, I hate her logic.
If there’s one thing you learn in the Army, it’s knowing when to make a tactical retreat, and that time is now.
“Fine, duchess,” I growl, kissing the tip of her nose. “Stay here and check in with me. I’m coming right back.”
