With that, she turned back to the stove, stirring something in a pot before opening the oven. The smell of fresh rolls filled the air, and I looked away before my stomach growled loud enough for them to hear.
When I found Graham again, he was still watching me. His stare was guarded but searching, as if his mind never stopped turning. Those blue eyes were constantly assessing, dissecting everything they touched.
It was as if I could feel him reaching out, trying to decipher me. The hairs on the back of my neck rose at the thought.
How was it possible that I’d only been in this town twelve hours, and Graham Ramsey had already been a constant presence in my day?
The anger that stirred inside me was irrational. He’d done nothing wrong—if anything, he’d been kind. This morning at the library, he’d only offered to help.
But maybe that was the problem.
I didn’t need his help, and I didn’t need his evaluation.
I’d almost faltered in court because of him. There had been a moment, a split second, when my hands had shaken; not because I thought I couldn’t win the argument, but because I’d doubted myself. Because I’d seen him, and it distracted me.
“I’m sorry,” I said suddenly, the words spilling out before I could think.
Raleigh turned from the stove, brows lifting in surprise.
“I’m—uh—tired,” I stammered. “I’d rather go to my room, if that’s okay.”
Raleigh’s face softened, though I sensed a hint of disappointment. “Oh, of course, dear. Warner can bring you right up and give you your key.” She wiped her hands on a towel. “Can I bring you a plate of dinner to your room?”
I hesitated. Part of me wanted to say no out of sheer stubbornness, but even I recognized that would be ridiculous.
After a pause, I nodded. “Yes. That would be nice. Thank you.”
Warner pushed his chair back and stood. He was taller than I’d expected, with broad shoulders and a calm, kind presence. When he looked at me, I saw a faint reflection of Graham there.
“Come on,” he said with a small grin. “I’ll show you where to go.”
I followed him out of the kitchen, trying—and failing—not to feel the weight of Graham’s stare on me as I left.
4
Graham
Myhandsclenchedsohard around the tray that my knuckles whitened. I stood outside her room, annoyed with my mother for refusing to let her stubborn guest go hungry. She had gone above and beyond tonight with dinner so the new arrival would feel welcome and at home.
And Quinn couldn’t even sit at the table to enjoy it for her.
I huffed. My arms started to ache from holding the over-stuffed tray for far too long. Her door loomed before me, but the last thing I wanted to do was knock on it.
After eating my portion of the homemade meal, Mom had asked me to bring up dinner to our guest. It wasn’t an unusual request. The tray was heavy, and in any other circumstance, I would’ve offered to bring it myself before even being asked.
But Quinn Carpenter had been the last person I’d expected to see in my parents’ house.
Mom had mentioned that she was here for an extended stay, and based on the timeline, it seemed like she would be here until Amos Anderson’s trial. Which was interesting. I didn’t know that such an expensive defense lawyer went out of her way like that. It seemed…quite inconvenient for her. I wondered where the other two lead attorneys were, or whether she was the only one staying in Ember Hollow.
I finally forced myself to knock.
There was a short pause before the lock clicked and Quinn peeked out into the hall. She paled when she saw me.
That was interesting, too.
I stared at her, trying to be cordial. I had a hard time placing the emotions that flickered across her face, which was always frustrating. She had changed out of her professional skirt and blazer, replacing them with a pair of sweatpants and a long-sleeved cotton shirt. Her hair was pulled up into a messy knot at the top of her head.
It surprised me, the sweats, though I wasn’t sure why. She had seemed so impervious in court today. The casual attire threw me off, like glimpsing a soldier without their armor.
