“Told me?” Aspen asked.
Her low voice probably should have been a warning. It was a warning he didn’t take.
He inched closer. “Someone stood in a storm and watched you through your bedroom window last night. Probably the same asshole Pete saw watching the house. Fuck, he could have been watching you when you left the house today, while you were alone and unarmed.”
Becket cleared his throat. “I’m going to put these groceries in the house.” His brother leaned in as he passed him. “Ease up, buddy.”
Jesse fisted his hands. Heknewhe needed to ease up. And by the glare Aspen was throwing his way, he wasn’t doing himself any favors getting back into her good graces.
Aspen stepped forward. “Iknowsomeone was looking through my window last night. I also know there was a car parked across the street. I was there both times. It’s why I had to get out of the house. I was here all day, alone, and I was going insane. It was my decision, which, shocker, I am actually allowed to make. You don’t tell me what I can and can’t do.”
He lowered his head and his voice. “I’m the town sheriff, and I’m trying to keep you safe.”
Her eyes narrowed.
Shit. Wrong thing to say.
“Well,Sheriff, if we’re done here, I’m going inside.”
She went to move past him, but he snagged her wrist. “Aspen. Look, I’m sorry. I was worried.” He looked at his watch. “I’ve got two hours left of my shift, and I want you to come to the station with me.”
“Why?”
“Because I want to have eyes on you.” Heneededto have eyes on her. He wouldn’t be able to think straight with her here and him at the station.
Her brows flickered. “Because of last night?”
“Yes.”
By the look in her eyes, she knew he wasn’t telling her the whole truth, but on the lawn of his house, with his brother and Luke within listening distance, wasn’t the time or place.
“I’ll lock the doors,” she pushed. “I’ll be fine.”
“It’s not enough.” Her mouth opened like she was going to argue with him more, but he closed the last bit of distance and touched her hip. “Please? You can bring your laptop. I’ll set you up in a quiet room, and there’s tea and coffee.”
She was going to say no. He could see it in her eyes. In the way she was inching back and putting distance between them.
But then her gaze shifted to the street, and something flickered in her eyes. Maybe a small bit of fear? Apprehension?
“Okay,” she finally said. “I’ll work at the station.”
Thank God.
She went inside and grabbed her laptop, and Jesse thanked his brother before they climbed into the car. Aspen didn’t speak much on the way. In fact, Luke seemed like the only one filling the silence. He didn’t need much in the way of response. It was like the man could maintain an entire conversation all on his own.
When they reached the station, he placed a hand on the small of Aspen’s back as the three of them headed inside.
Bea looked up and smiled. “Hey.”
“Hi, Bea. This is Aspen. She’ll be working in one of the empty offices until the end of my shift.”
“Oh, sure. Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s fine,” Luke said, straightening when Margot appeared down the hall.
Jesse shook his head, never sure what to make of those two.
“Come on,” he said, as he led Aspen around the desk to an unoccupied room off a hall. He flicked on the light.
