TWENTY-EIGHT
S
he packed an overnight bag then loaded Rufus into the backseat of Tripp’s truck.He was excited to get another ride.
At the end of her street, she glanced back at her sweet little house.Her new haven until some asshole had taken away her sense of safety tonight.“This sucks.”
“Yeah.I’ll feel better once you’ve got a good security system installed.No offense, Rufus.You’re a great security system too.”
Rufus ignored him, too busy sniffing at whatever was on the air with his head stuck out the back passenger window as they drove along.
“The important thing is, you’re okay.Now we’ll make sure you stay safe.”
Yes.Whoever it was hadn’t broken into her house.Nothing had been stolen or damaged.And most importantly, no one had been hurt.That’s what mattered, she told herself, but she was also aware of the immense relief of having Tripp with her, and that she was going to his house for now.Without a vehicle of her own, she?—
“Oh, damn, with everything going on, I just remembered I need to get back down to the library for a shift starting at nine.”
“You sure you still want to go?”
“Yes.They’re short-staffed, and I promised.Plus it’ll help take my mind off everything for a few hours.I should be done by lunchtime.Unless you don’t think it’s safe?”
“No, it’ll be fine.”He sounded so certain, she breathed easier.“You’ll have lots of people around you there, and it’s not a bad thing to have something else to focus on right now.”
She nodded.“I need it.”
“What about starting that new painting tomorrow after you’re done at the library?”
“We’ll see.Depends on my headspace.”
“Understandable.I can always get your supplies and bring them to my place.There’s plenty of light in the kitchen.You could set up there.I’d be out of your way, and you’re far enough from the workshop that you won’t risk getting any sawdust or shavings in the paint.”
She smiled.“I might take you up on that.”She turned to look in the backseat and found Rufus’s ears flapping around in the breeze.“If I hadn’t already been totally smitten with him, this would have clinched it.”Without Rufus warning them tonight, the intruder might have been able to get into the house before they’d realized there was a threat.
“He’s definitely got your back.”
Dense dark forest surrounded the road on both sides.It was dark up here, no streetlamps and not much traffic.“When did you move up here?”
“Little over a year ago.”
That would have been close to when he’d finished his initial program at the recovery center.She wasn’t going to ask him about it though.If he wanted to share that with her, he would.
