It was official, she was never moving back to Bozeman, because people here were too nice. What would have happened if she’d actually been hurt? Food for a week? A month?
Addie stepped back. “Come in.”
“Thanks.” Indie crossed over to the kitchen, where she set the casserole down. “Man, I love Noah’s house. Isn’t this butcher-block countertop just amazing?”
After locking and alarming the door, she joined Indie in the kitchen. “The house is really beautiful. He mentioned he did some of the work himself.”
His sister chuckled. “Yeah, because completely tearing the old park apart and putting it back together wasn’t enough for him. That man doesn’t know how to stay still.”
“I think staying busy helps with everything.”
Indie frowned. “Everything?”
Shit. She’d just assumed Indie knew. They were siblings. And they were close. Indie visited the park all the time, plus she was married to Colt.
“Um…”Shit. Say something, Addie. “I’m just referring to transitioning back into civilian life after being in the Marines for so long.”
Indie’s frown deepened before she stepped closer. “Addie, did something happen to Noah?”
Oh, gosh, she’d really put her foot into it. “You should really talk to him about it.”
Indie seemed to consider her words for a moment before nodding. “I’ve kind of had a feeling something was going on with him, and I kept waiting for him to open up to me. But so far, he hasn’t.”
“Sometimes it’s hardest to share things with those we’re closest to.”
“Maybe. Or maybe he thinks he’s protecting me after what I’ve been through.” She shook her head. “Sorry, I shouldn’t be dropping this on you.”
“It’s absolutely fine. It’s nice to have someone to talk to. And it’s good to have a distraction from work, which I’ve discovered I am not good at doing from home. Why don’t you stay for a coffee?”
“I thought you didn’t drink coffee?”
“Idon’t. Butyoudo. Plus, I don’t have a lot of work to do while the park’s closed anyway. You’ll be doing me a favor.” She moved to the coffeemaker, and over the next hour, she sat and talked and laughed with Noah’s sister. She hadn’t spent a lot of time with Indie, but the other woman was easy to talk to.
When it was finally time for Indie to go, Addie stepped outside with her and waved goodbye. She was about to close the door when a sound came from the side of the house. Almost like a foot against ground. It could be an animal.
It could alsonot.
Quickly, she closed the door and flicked the lock.
Then she got angry. Angry that she was living in fear. Angry that something as small as a quiet sound beside the house could make her heart rate shoot up.
This person needed to be found, and they needed to be arrestednow.
“How didyou feel when you saw the rope almost snap?”
Noah’s hands balled into fists at Toby’s question. “Scared. Really fucking scared. Then I was relieved after I helped her down. Then angry again that it happened.” Hell, angry barely touched the surface of what he’d felt.
“Angry at who?”
“The person who did it.”
“But you don’t know who that was?”
“I have a pretty good idea. But the asshole not being behind bars doesn’t help the anger.”
Toby nodded, his face neutral like always. “Is this person the only one you’re angry at?”
Did Toby see it that easily? “I’m angry at myself too.”
