“Trust me, I know how you feel. Even when Seth and I were at each other’s throats, he was so friggin’ hot.” Ryan laughed.
“I haven’t seen Rawley angry yet. I mean, he was pissed about those men following us, but he was so calm about it.”
“That’s the law enforcement training.”
“Yes, I think so too.” Skylar stopped. “Oh, we have to go in here. You have got to see the dollhouses.” She pulled the door open and stepped inside the store, Timeless Treasures.
“Oh, my. Look at this place,” Ryan said as she glanced around.
“Hi, Skylar.”
“Maggie, hi. This is my best friend, Ryan Carroll. Ryan, this is Maggie Lancaster.”
The women shook hands. “Nice to meet you, Ms. Carroll.”
“Please, call me Ryan. It’s so nice to meet you too.”
“I was telling Ryan about the dollhouses.” Skylar grinned.
“I can’t wait to see them.” Ryan smiled.
The bell over the door jingled and a few women entered.
“If you two don’t mind, I’ll wait on them, and you can go into the back room.” Maggie smiled.
“Sure. Come on, Ryan.”
When they entered the room, Skylar laughed at Ryan’s reaction. She shook her head, then looked at her.
“It’s like looking at a house from a distance.”
“I know. I’d love to have one. I have a perfect place for it.”
“I have no idea where I’d put one, but I love this Victorian.” Ryan ran her hand on the roof tiles.
Skylar was happy she’d brought her in to see them, now she knew she’d picked the right one. She just hoped Ryan didn’t go home and tell Seth about it and he’d get it for her. She had to make sure that didn’t happen someway. She had to let Seth know somehow because she knew that once Ryan got home, she wouldrave about the dollhouses and knowing Seth, he’d get it for her because she wanted it.
“I’m going out to look at some lamps. I’ll be right back.”
“Okay. I want to spend some time in here.” Ryan smiled.
Skylar nodded then slipped through the curtain into the showroom. She found Maggie and talked to her about the dollhouse. She couldn’t wait to see Ryan’s reaction when she gave it to her.
As Skylar kept her eyes on the velvet curtain, she sent Seth a text, telling him about the dollhouse. He sent a text back saying no problem. He’d get her something else. She smiled as she put her phone into her pocket, then wandered around the lamp section. The lamp was still sitting in the same place. She would love to have it, but it was expensive, and she’d rather spend money on family and friends than herself.
She decided to wait until after the first of the year. She just hoped it didn’t sell before then.
****
Rawley worked at his desk the rest of the day and was ready to go home. It was getting darker earlier and he wasn’t a fan of driving in the dark, even though at times, he didn’t have a choice.
When he left the office, he ran down the stairs, then walked outside. The sudden chill made him shiver. He strode to his truck, unlocked it and climbed inside. After starting the vehicle, he pulled out, then drove toward home.
His phone vibrated and he hit the button on the steering wheel to answer.
“Hey, Declan.”
“Rawley, where are you?” Declan Cavanaugh was one of Sam Garrett’s deputies.
