“I’ll get my stuff.”
By the time he reached the hall, Scarlett had already dumped it all outside her door.
Thank you, Scarlett.
When he got to the front door, Clara was already there.
She stepped outside and closed the door behind them. “I really am sorry about her.”
He waited until they reached his truck and he’d put his supplies in the back before responding. “It’s overcast.”
“What?”
“She was wearing a cap when it’s overcast outside. Does she do that often?”
“Um…I don’t think so. But maybe I just haven’t seen her do it. A lot of women do. She usually doesn’t get home in the middle of the day, though.”
His gaze shifted to the house, then up and down the street before looking back at her. “It was her with the fake ID, wasn’t it?”
“No. Well…yes, but don’t tell my brothers.”
“Why not?”
“Because they overreact—exactly like you’re doing right now in your head.”
“You’re not concerned that the woman you live with has an illegal fake ID?”
“It’s not my business.”
The fuck it wasn’t. “It sure as hell is. She’s living in your house. If she’s in trouble,you’rein trouble.”
“She’s not in trouble.”
He could have laughed. “You don’t know that.”
“She’s an investigative reporter. I bet she uses it for that.”
“Doesn’t matter. She shouldn’t be putting herself in situations where she needs to use it ever.” He stepped closer, his hand twitching to touch her. “Just…be careful.”
“I’m always careful.”
She was also trusting…too trusting.
Then, because he couldn’t stop himself, he reached up and cupped her cheek, his voice lowering. “I don’t want anything happening to you.”
Her gasp was soft and airy, and did she lean into his touch? “It won’t.”
It had better not. “Call if you need anything.”
She nodded, and he forced himself to lower his hand. To step back and walk away even though each step felt as unnatural as the last.
CHAPTER 6
Holden pulled his truck into the Amber Ridge sheriff’s station. The parking lot was half empty. Good. Hopefully that meant Jesse wasn’t too busy.
The chill of the air hit him in the face as he stepped out of his truck. He moved to the back and lifted out the carved wooden sign for the sheriff’s office. Jesse had requested an emblem of an eagle with the wordsFreedom and Protectionunderneath. Apparently, it would go above the reception desk.
He carried it across the parking lot, the scent of redwood drifting from the sign. He’d used a Danish oil to finish it. He liked Danish oil because it penetrated the wood, made it look great and kept the item durable.
