Eve frowned. “I’m sorry. That sounds super frustrating. Especially with someone you care about so much.”
The weight of a million burdens crushed down on his shoulders. “I want what’s best for Tara, and Tara wants what’s best for our dad. Unfortunately, there can only be one winner in that situation. If she stays and continues on the same path she’s been on for years, he’ll keep dragging her down with him.”
His throat suddenly went dry, and he reached for his beer. He’d just take one drink and set it aside. Gripping the cool glass in his hand, he breathed in and out, hating the instant desire to battle his emotions with alcohol.
Like his dad.
Leaning forward, he set the drink on the coffee table and rested his elbows on his knees. Something on the floor caught his attention. He scooped a little wooden carving off the ground and rolled it around his fingers. “I never realized how much you like flowers. First the painting, now a little knickknack. This is pretty cool, though. Did someone make it, or did you buy it?”
Straightening, he settled it in his palm and lifted it for her to see.
All the color drained from her face, and she shot to her feet. “No. No way. I know I didn’t drop that in the living room. How did it get in here?” Shaking her head back and forth, she pattedthe pockets of her jeans from front to back. “Where did I put the other one? Damn it, I was so upset by everything that happened I completely forgot about the stupid flowers.”
Rising to his feet, he placed the wooden carving on the coffee table and held up his hands as if trying to calm a spooked horse. “Hold on a second. What are you talking about?”
“That.” The word came out on a screech as she jabbed a finger toward the trinket. “He’s leaving them for me. I know it. There was one at the bar last night, on that guy’s plate. Then I saw one in my driveway and Suzy was holding one after I got her out of the car. I tried to tell myself it was all in my head. I must have accidently pocketed the one from the bar, which fell when I got home then somehow showed up in my car. But now this? In my house?” She continued shaking her head side to side, her motions quick and jerky.
He absorbed the truth of her statement like a physical blow and forced himself to stay calm. “Are you saying the man who attacked you is leaving you these little carvings?”
“I think so, yes.”
“And where are the other ones?”
Closing her eyes, she pinched the bridge of her nose. “I put one in my jacket pocket earlier. If it’s not the same one, one might be in my car. But my car’s not here to check.”
“Okay, then let’s check your jacket.”
She rushed across the living room to the entryway closet. Yanking open the door, she found the light coat and rummaged through the pocket. She pulled out a little wooden flower and a small groan leaked from her mouth. She turned wide eyes on Reid. “He’s been here. He’s been inside my house.”
Chapter 10
Nervous energy combined with the pizza and beer, souring Eve’s stomach. She’dknownsomeone was watching her earlier, had felt eyes on her skin. She shouldn’t have brushed away her intuition, because not only had her attacker stalked her, he’d forced his way into her private space—violated her yet again.
The wooden carving no longer sat on the coffee table, but she still visualized it where Reid had placed it thirty minutes before.
He’d insisted they call the sheriff’s department to fill them in on the newest development. Deputy Silver had come by to take her statement as well as the creepy flower for evidence. Madden had arrived—Lily by his side—shorty after to discuss how to move forward.
Lily sat to her right on the overstuffed, cream-colored chair while Madden settled on the attached ottoman. Concern rippled across Lily’s smooth brow. “How do you feel?”
Eve sank deeper into the sofa cushion and wrapped the bright red throw blanket around her shoulders. How could she possibly answer such a loaded question? Her mind was stuffed to the brim with possibilities of what could have happened as well as horrible memories of what already had. Her body shook, and the desire to drive right out of town and hide until the man terrorizing her was caught coiled every muscle tight, ready to spring into action.
“Eve?” Reid asked, his voice so close even though she wished his big, strong body was closer.
She glanced to her left. His presence steadied her, but she’d give anything for him to wrap her in his arms and tell her everything would be all right. That she was safe and he wouldn’t let anyone near her.
“Are you okay?” he asked, dipping his chin so their eyes locked.
Clearing her throat, she forced herself back to the moment. “Sorry. I got lost in my thoughts, which isn’t the best place for me to be right now. How do I feel?” She repeated Lily’s question and struggled to pull forward the right response. “Scared, unsettled, creeped out that someone was in my house, in my personal space, and I didn’t even realize it. I’m agonizing over every detail of the past twenty-four hours, searching for anything that stands out to give me some answers on how to move forward, but I’m coming up blank. I’m…overwhelmed.”
“I know what you’re going through is different than what I experienced after my father was attacked and someone came after me, but I understand those emotions plus about a hundred more,” Lily said. “Nothing anyone says will make you feel better, so all I’ll say is that I’m really sorry this is happening.”
Eve tried to offer a smile but was afraid it came out more of a grimace.
“Are you all right to stay here?” Madden asked. “Reid has this place locked up tight and the security system is top-of-the-line, but that still doesn’t mean you’ll feel comfortable. You can always stay with me and Lily.”
Reid stiffened beside her. “She’s safe with me.”
“I have no doubt,” Madden said. “I just want Eve to have zero doubts as well.”
