Garrick would be furious when he discovered she disappeared.
She forced herself to meet Caleb’s eyes as she remembered he was waiting for her response. “Okay.”
She wasn’t ready to have a conversation with him about why he’d broken her heart.
But she was here.
For now, that would have to be enough.
She took another spoonful of soup, grounding herself in the warmth.
Then the sound of dogs barking in the distance cut through the air.
Not one or two. Several. And they were loud enough to carry through the walls.
Millie froze.
Caleb stood, and Millie watched his expression change. He didn’t appear alarmed but alert.
Biscuit was on his feet immediately, and Hamilton lifted his head as he lay beside the couch, ears forward.
The dogs outside kept barking, sharper now.
The sound tightened her chest.
She drew in a breath and forced it out steadily, waiting for whatever had triggered them to show itself.
Caleb turned to her, eyes steady but cautious. “It’s probably nothing, but you should stay here while I check it out.”
Her pulse roared in her ears.
Had Garrick followed her here? What if that was why the dogs were barking? What if they knew something she didn’t?
The thought took hold before she could stop it.
She’d driven for four hours from DC, taking back roads and doubling back at times. She’d changed routes. Kept her head down. She’d done everything she was supposed to.
But her ex was smart and resourceful. He had a way of getting what he wanted.
And he’d made it clear that what he wanted washer.
Millie wrapped her arms around herself as the barking echoed outside, fear curling tight in her chest.
She’d barely made it to safety.
And now she wondered if safety had been an illusion all along.
chapter
three
Caleb listenedas the sound of barking carried in from outside—sustained and impossible to ignore.
Just as he stepped toward the door, Max appeared from the room above the garage. He grabbed a jacket from a hook, and his eyes met Caleb’s.
He offered a brief nod before stepping out, silently assuring him he’d check things out.
Then Max was gone again, pulling the door shut behind him.
