She wrapped her arms tighter around her body. “If he gets out, I’ll be careful.”
“If he gets out, I’ll come up here,” Thario said.
“I have a lot of vacation, and I turned in my retirement paperwork. I should be able to come up a few more times before I retire.”
She squeezed Griz’s hand. “Thank you. I appreciate what both of you have done for me. You saved me.”
Griz pulled her onto his lap and into his arms. She leaned her head against his shoulder. He would protect her. She would be safe with him in her life. If he couldn’t be near, she knew she would have someone watching after her.
Meeting Griz had been more than just a lucky coincidence. This man was supposed to be in her life. Before Griz, she’d been satisfied, but now, she couldn’t imagine a life without him. He was her rock, and she would lean on him when she needed. She hoped to become his rock, too. It would take time, but she would be there for her man, making his life better.
Chapter 38
The first nightwithout Griz was nerve-wracking. Before he and Thario left, they’d gone down and bought four cameras to put up around her property. It wouldn’t stop anyone from coming to her place, but they would all get notifications and be able to see the video.
Close to three in the morning, she finally rolled out of bed and went to the kitchen to get coffee. She checked the cameras, seeing that only animals had come close to her house. She went online and navigated to the county’s site that held prisoner information. Jenkins was still in jail. She breathed a sigh of relief.
If she had the woodworking shop, she would be out there now. Of course, after being attacked in her own home, she worried that she wouldn’t be safe if she was out at the shop. She closed her eyes and rested her head on her hands. She hated that she felt so afraid just to exist in her own space. But she wasn’t going to let the jerk win. He’d meant to cage her, but she wouldn’t be deterred from living how she wanted.
She poured more coffee into her mug and opened thedoor to her porch. She stepped out, worry sliding through her.
“He’s in jail,” she whispered before stepping over to the chairs where she usually sat. Once seated, her leg bounced as she glanced around at the trees. Darkness made it impossible to see deep into the trees.
She drew in a deep breath and closed her eyes, then popped them open. This man had tried to ruin everything, but she wouldn’t let him. She would sit out here when she wanted to and live where she wanted.
Her phone buzzed, and she checked the text. It was Griz. Instead of texting, she called him. “Hey, how are you doing?”
“I’m good. Trouble sleeping?”
“Yeah. I’m okay, though.”
“I know you are. I’m watching you on the camera.”
She chuckled. “That’s too funny.” She turned and waved at the camera. “So you can see me out here?”
“I can. He’s still in jail.”
“I know. I hate that I’m afraid to live my life. It took a lot to come out here.”
He sighed heavily. “You have nothing to prove.”
“No, I may not, but I can’t hide forever.”
“I just want you to be safe. Thario is keeping up with the detective, and they will inform you if he gets out.”
She nodded. “I know. I think I have to start working on the new woodworking building.”
“That would be good for you. I could help you when I make it up there.”
“That would be perfect.”
“When do these guests leave?”
“Tomorrow at eleven.”
“Good. Will you come here?”
“I will. I can drive up on Thursday”
