It was Atkins I was worried about. Without a first name and just a vague idea of what he looked like, finding him might prove to be impossible. I was good—very good—but even I had my limits.
Abe rapped his knuckles on the door as he stepped into the room. "How are you doing,liefling?"
"I'm okay." The pillow I had in a strangle hold said differently, but if Abe didn't mention it, I wouldn't either. "Are they gone yet?"
It had gotten quiet downstairs.
"They're just wrapping up now."
"Oh, thank god." I tossed my pillow away and leaned my head back against the headboard and closed my eyes. "I am so ready to have my house back."
"I wanted to talk to you about that."
My eyes popped open when I heard the floorboards creak. I nearly swallowed my tongue when Abe sauntered across the room then sat down on the bed facing me. "What did you want to talk to me about?"
"I know I fed that officer some story about you having a form of agoraphobia, but you do, don't you?"
"Maybe." I shrugged as I glanced down. I started picking at my thumbnail. It had never been officially diagnosed, but I'd read the reports. I knew what the symptoms were, and I had a lot of them. "I just don't like leaving my house. There's too many people out there."
It was people I had the problem with, not leaving my house.
"How are you going to feel about having someone here?" Abe asked. "I know your invitation to stay here was offered in good faith, but honestly, will it be too much for you?"
My brow flickered as I tried to figure out how to say what I needed to say without sounding like a complete loon. "My home is my safe place. I think that's why I don't like going places. I know I'm safe here. I know recent events show otherwise, but I've made this place a fortress. Usually, I'm safe here."
"Is my being here going to be an issue for you? Will it make your safe place feel unsafe?"
I smiled as I glanced down. He had no idea how much I wanted him here. "No. Having people here who I trust doesn't bother me. It's going out into the world where other people are that makes me anxious."
"You trust me?" There was a hint of wonder in Abe's voice that made me look up.
"Yes." I really had no basis for that trust. I just knew it was there.
Abe grew very serious. It was an interesting change to watch. His eyebrows lowered low over his eyes and his lips thinned into a line. I was almost afraid of what he was going to say.
"I will never abuse that trust, Danny. I hope you know that."
I smiled. "I do know that."
I doubted my trust was misplaced.
I hoped my trust wasn't misplaced.
"I'm going to go downstairs and make sure everyone has left and the house is locked up. Do I need to do anything else to make it secure besides fix the backdoor? I'm going to nail something over it until we can get it replaced."
I shook my head then pointed to my cell phone. "I can activate the security system from my phone. Once the house is all locked up, I'll make sure it's turned on."
"Okay." Abe stood. "Do you need anything from downstairs?"
I shook my head again. I just needed my house back, but it felt stupid mentioning that again. I was positive Abe knew what I wanted.
I quickly raised my hand to my mouth when I let out a big yawn.
Abe smiled down at me. I liked how it made his eyes sparkle. "Why don't you try and get a little rest while I lock up?"
"Yeah, that's probably a good idea." It wasn't like I'd been to sleep yet or anything. My eyelids felt as if they were hoarding sand for the winter.
I grabbed my pillow, scooted down on the mattress, then hugged it to my chest and closed my eyes. I smiled when I felt the blanket pulled up over me then tucked around me, but didn't open my eyes.
