The words swirled through Theo’s head and stunned him. Why would anyone cut his brake line?
“Is there anyone who has a grudge against Chelsea who might have done this?”
“Chelsea? She hasn’t even been back two months. Besides, it was my car. We only switched that morning so she could fit stuff from the hardware store in the back.”
The line of Aiden’s mouth grew tight. “So have you ticked anyone off recently?”
Brett Sheehan. But that was an old feud. Why would the man suddenly decide to hurt him? The other recent incidents came to mind.
“There have been a few other things that have happened lately.” He told Aiden about the car almost running him off the road, the rocks falling on the trail, and the suspicious roots that had been cut when he’d been trapped by the tree.
Scribbling down notes and dates, Aiden frowned. “By themselves, they do all seem random, but this brake line thing? I don’t know, Theo. Looks like someone doesn’t like you. All since Chelsea has come back.”
“Well, it’s not her if that’s what you’re thinking. She’d hardly cut the brake line on my car and then go drive it.”
“I wasn’t thinking it was her. Could be something to do with her return. Is there someone who’s upset that she’s here with you?”
Dina didn’t like Chelsea, but she’d hardly hurt him. More likely, she’d want to hurt Chelsea, and barracuda that she was, he didn’t think she was capable of killing someone. The image of her crawling under a car to cut a brake line was laughable. These accidents definitely weren’t.
“Not that I know of. The rockslide and running thing were me all the way, but the brake line and even the tree falling could have gone either way. I don’t know what to think.”
“I’ll do some digging into what she’s been doing the past few years and see if anything pops up.”
Theo wanted to argue. The idea of someone searching through his wife’s private life ticked him off. Then again, something was happening, and he hadn’t the first clue how to find out what. Aiden was his best bet. Maybe he’d have a chat with Chelsea about her life in Westchester.
“Hey, Theo,” Benji called out. He strode from the garage, holding up a purse. “I found this in the car. I assume it’s your wife’s.”
After taking it, he thanked the man and stalked back to the car, Aiden next to him.
“Let me know if anything else strange happens, Theo. And watch your back.”
“I will.” Not only his own back but that of Jordan and Chelsea. Jordan could easily have been in the vehicle when the brakes finally went. He never wanted to feel what Chelsea had felt when she’d thought her child was dead.
Throwing the purse on the passenger seat, Theo started up the car and stared out the windshield. Who in the world wanted to hurt him? Or Chelsea? Or was someone only interested in scaring them? Any or all of the accidents, except the most recent, could simply have been just that—accidents.
Some of the contents of Chelsea’s purse had spilled out, and he picked up a comb, pen, and pill bottle to toss them back in. There was something about the overly large pill bottle that seemed strange, so he took a moment to study it. Turning it around, he noticed it had the name of the pharmaceutical company Chelsea’s father owned and her name printed on it but no doctor name or pharmacy. There wasn’t even a date or any of the little warning stickers you usually get, saying not to operate heavy equipment or go in direct sunlight. Weird.
As soon as he got home, kicked off his sneakers at the door, he trotted up the stairs to his bedroom where Chelsea still rested in bed. Her eyes opened when he came in, and a tiny smile danced on her lips. She looked good there.
“How’re you feeling?”
“Okay. My stomach’s not as queasy. Head’s a bit better. I got up and used the bathroom, then I decided to be decadent and stay in bed a little longer. I wasn’t sure when you’d get back.”
Sitting next to her on the mattress, he dropped her purse on the bedside table. “You can stay in bed all day if you want.”
Her eyes twinkled. “Are you going to join me? You called out of work, and Jordan will be gone until dinnertime.”
The words and adorable expression hit him right in the ol’ thumper, so he leaned in closer and kissed her. Nothing too strong or passionate—she had been up close and personal with a tree recently—but enough to show her his feelings. Her arms curled around his neck, and she pulled him down until he was flush against her. It felt too good.
“Whatever would we do in bed all day?” He knew what he’d like to do but didn’t think she was quite up for it.
“You used to be able to fill a whole day in bed with me. Getting rusty?”
Laughing, he rolled over her and stretched out on the mattress beside her. “Unfortunately, yes. Maybe you need to remind me.” Put her in the driver’s seat. Her pace.
Pink rushed across her cheeks, and she dipped her head. But after a deep breath, she rested against him, her head on his chest. The blanket had slipped and one of her slim legs peeked out and slid over his. The desire to touch it and glide his hand up until he cupped her sweet bottom was strong. He settled for running his fingers down her back in comfort. Perhaps this was all she needed or wanted. For now, he was fine giving it to her. It was more than he’d had for so long.
After a few minutes, Chelsea stirred and eased her head up.
