He saw her blush and cocked a brow. "What's the blush for?"
"I'm just not used to being complimented on my cooking."
"That ex of yours never complimented your cooking?"
"No, he always found something to complain about," she confessed.
"What an asshole. I swear, the more I learn about him, the more I want to hurt him if he ever shows his face in Thorne Bay," Yaeger growled.
"He won't."
"But if he does, I'll be hard pressed not to hurt the bastard. I'm glad you got away from him, darlin'. Not just because I found you, that's a bonus, but because you deserve better."
"Thank you, Yaeger. That means a lot."
They fell into a companionable silence as they finished the meal. "That was delicious. Let me take care of the dishes since you cooked," Yaeger said. He held up a hand before she could argue. "It's just putting them in the dishwasher, nothing strenuous," he pointed out.
"Fine. I'll queue up the next episode of Supernatural," she replied with a grin.
He laughed. "You do that." He carried their plates to the kitchen, rinsed them off, and put them in the dishwasher. Then he put another log on the fire in the fireplace and joined her on the sofa.
They spent the remainder of the evening watching episodes of Supernatural while the snow fell outside. When she fell asleep on him, he turned the T.V. off, grabbed the blanket off the back of the sofa, covered them both, and soon drifted off after her, his arms holding her close.
Chapter Twenty-One
Bryce
He sat at his regular spot in the Tasty Skull, in the shadows, and waited for his precious gem to arrive at work. It was her day to work, and she was meticulous. She never missed. She would be here. As the time for her to arrive came and went without her arrival, he frowned. Maybe she was just running late. She would be there. She had to be there.
An hour passed, and then two. Still, he waited. Finally, he approached one of the waitresses. "Excuse me, do you know where Frankie is tonight?"
"Yeah, she took a few vacation days. She's off the next couple of days. Why, did you need her?"
"No, I just noticed she wasn't here, and she usually is on Thursdays. Thank you."
No no no. If she was taking vacation days, that could only mean one thing—the lion survived and she was taking care of him. Damn him. Well, he still got his point across, he was sure.
By the time he finished his drink and left, it was snowing in earnest. As much as he wanted to go to the cabin to spy on the lion and his precious gem, the weather wouldn't permit him to do so. Instead, he headed home to plot out his next move.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Frankie
By morning there was five feet of snow on the ground and she was effectively snowed in. She knew it would take a few days for the plows to get up to the cabins so she would have to miss a day of work. It couldn't be helped.
By the time the roads were clear again, the team from Black Hat Security would be there and her life would change. She wasn't looking forward to having a bodyguard with her at all times but given the situation, she knew it was necessary.
"What are you thinking about so hard over there, darlin'?" Yaeger asked from where he sat on the sofa. She was looking out the window at the snow.
"How much it's going to suck having a bodyguard," she admitted.
"I know you don't like the idea, but—"
"But it's necessary. I know. I just hate that this is what my life has come to."
He got up, went to her, and wrapped his arms around her. "I know, darlin', I know. I'm sorry I failed you. He got me when my guard was down, and I failed."
"What? No, you didn't fail me!"
