“What did they say?”Gage asked as I stood there, continuing to stare at the bed.
“They can’t send anyone out because of the storm.We’ll have to wait until it passes and they can get someone out here.”
“So what are you supposed to do with all of that?”Gage pointed to the items on the bed.
“They said to try to collect what I can and put it in a Ziplock bag.I’m supposed to wear gloves to avoid getting any new fingerprints on them, but my guess is whoever did this was smart enough not to leave any behind in the first place.”
“I’ll go grab some bags,” Gage said before turning and leaving us alone.
“It’s going to be okay,” Patrick said, letting out a frustrated sigh as he gently rubbed a hand down my back.
“I should have left,” I replied, refusing to look at him as I stared at the images that would haunt me forever.
“What do you mean?”
“When I first got here.I should have left after I came to see Gage.I should have gone back to Coyote Creek, where I belong.”
Patrick moved, stepping in front of me as he blocked my view.Very slowly, he raised his hand and brushed his fingers gently against my cheek.
“This is where you belong,” he said softly.“Here with me.”
I shook my head, wanting to pull away from his touch because I didn’t deserve his love or affection right now.Because of me, someone had broken into his cabin and hurt his dog.I couldn’t live with myself if anything happened to those I was quickly starting to love because of me.
Gage returned a few seconds later, wearing a pair of nitrile gloves he found with the cleaning supplies.He picked up each photo by the corner, tossed it into the Ziplock bag, and then added the piece of paper with the note on it.
I grabbed my purse, pulled out the tissue that had the note from the restaurant, and slipped it inside with the other stuff.
“I’ll take this to the inn and keep it safe until the police can collect it,” Gage said.“You guys can come stay with us tonight.The upstairs is still being remodeled, but you can stay in one of the rooms downstairs.”
“Thank you, but no,” I said, pulling my shoulders back and standing straight as I faced my cousin.
“Why not?”
“Because I have already brought enough trouble with me as it is.I’m not going to let something happen to you guys because I got myself into a bad situation.I appreciate the offer, but no.Patrick is more than welcome to go—”
“Like fuck I am,” he growled, his anger matching the frustration etched on his face.“I’m not leaving your side, Poppy.Better get those thoughts out of your head now, because I’m not going anywhere.”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea for you guys to stay here,” Gage said, his tone even for once instead of angry.“Someone has already been inside your cabin.What makes you think they won’t come back?”
“I know.Trust me, I don’t like it either.But the roads are only going to get worse with that storm, so it’s not like we can head into town and get a hotel,” Patrick replied with a heavy exhale.“I agree with Poppy, I’m not comfortable staying at the inn and putting Julie and Daisy at risk either.”
“Then I guess that means we either stay here, or we sleep in your truck,” I offered, my attention on Patrick and not on my cousin as he clenched his jaw and shook his head.
“I’ll secure the cabin,” he said, turning to face Gage.“I have some scraps of wood I can use for the door, and I’ll move the furniture in the living room to block the back door and windows.If anyone tries to get in, I’ll hear them.”
“Do you have protection?”Gage asked, his hand moving toward the back of his jeans.
“I’m good.I have two that are fully loaded and plenty of ammunition.”
“Poppy has a good aim, don’t be afraid to let her help,” Gage said, nodding at me.
My heart fluttered with warmth at what my cousin had said.We’d spent a lot of time growing up outside shooting soda cans and making up targets, but I was surprised he remembered that I had been good at it.While I hadn’t shot anything in a long time, it had always been like second nature to me, and guns never made me uneasy.It was like I was born to know how to handle one.
“Absolutely.I’ll make sure we both have what we need,” Patrick agreed.
“Call if you need anything.I can be here in four minutes, tops.I’ll bring Duke over.He’ll alert you if anyone comes near the cabin.”
“Thanks, Gage,” I said softly, offering him the best smile I could manage.“I think we’ll be just fine.Keep Duke there so we know that Daisy is protected.I know how much he means to her.”
