“Yeah, about her. What’s your impression?”
“Are you working? Is this detective business? Because you look like you’re on a date.”
“I wear this when I ride my motorcycle.”
“Ooh, a motorcycle date.”
He wasn’t escaping this. Cressida had suggested dinner. He’d brought it up again. Then Cressida had been the one to suggest the motorcycle. One thing had led to another. As for her other question ... “I’m always working. So ... Madeline Chase?”
“I’m not sure what I think of her yet. I haven’t had that much interaction with her. She’s definitely a gatekeeper. Very formal and unemotional and distant.”
“So you don’t like her,” Braden said.
“I didn’t say that.”
“Didn’t you?”
Braden didn’t hear anything else Remi said as he focused on the woman coming down the open stairwell—all bouncing red curls and intense bright-green eyes dancing around the room. Then they landed on him, and the air rushed out of his lungs. And she hadn’t even smiled yet.
He kept his expression flat. Hardest thing he’d done in a while. Though he felt like he’d known her for well over a year now, he’d only just met this woman, and he had toshake off the effect she had on him. He didn’t know her. She was a stranger. So what if he’d seen that photograph in Octavia’s office?
Cressida approached and stood next to Remi as she smiled at Braden. She looked nothing like a woman who’d been attacked four days ago.
You look beautiful.That’s what a guy would say on a date. But not here and not now, in front of Remi.
And this wasn’t a date. Was he lying to himself?
“Have you heard anything from Mrs. Monroe?” Cressida asked Remi. “The sooner I get the interview, the sooner I can get answers and get out of your hair.”
“You’re not in my hair. We love our guests. But no, not yet. She’s traveling.”
“Do you know when she’ll be back?” Cressida asked.
“I’ll let you know when I find out.” Remi smiled, then excused herself.
A confused frown emerging, Cressida watched her walk away, then glanced at Braden. “I take it she isn’t fond of the gatekeeper either. Well, there are always other ways to get through.” She smiled again. “Are you ready?”
Couldn’t be more ready.
“Let’s go.” He walked with her, opened the door for her, then at his motorcycle, he handed off the extra helmet.
Cressida put it on like a pro. “Are we going to eat first? Or are you taking me for a joyride?”
He grinned. “Which would you prefer?”
“A short joyride, and then we can eat. Our time is limited, I’m afraid.”
Well, she might have just taken all the joy out of it with that.
This isn’t a date,remember?
He got on the bike, and she climbed on behind him, and the space was tight. Then she wrapped her arms around him, and he tried to ignore his pounding heart.
What was he doing?
Protecting her. The only way he knew how. Getting close enough to do it was a huge issue. He was glad they’d planned this, considering she texted that someone had followed her and watched her in town. The Timberbrook County Sheriff’s Office was processing the image within the limits of privacy laws. If that got him nowhere, he might send it through DSS channels—this was Octavia Dane’s daughter, after all.
Braden took the twists and turns at reduced speeds. Enjoyed the blue sky, the thick evergreens lining the road, and ... the feel of her arms around him. Yes, he enjoyed that too. Having her riding with him made him realize just how lonely he was.
