“Then I sign a contract. It will probably take me another month or two to get the store interior the way I want it—I’ve seen in it my dreams a million times—and then it will take me some time to gather my inventory. I…” She broke off, aware that she was rambling. “Sorry…needless to say I’m getting excited about it all.”
“As you should be. Please, don’t apologize. I love your passion,” he replied, his gaze warm on her.
“I know it sounds rather silly, but I feel like this is a way to keep my mother’s legacy alive. No matter what people thought about her, she was a healer first, and that’s what I want people to remember about her.”
“I’m sure the shop is going to be very successful,” he replied. “However, there’s one thing I need you to remember whenever you’re out running around.”
His eyes appeared to darken and simmer with concern. “You don’t have to tell me, Daniel,” she said. “I never forget that somebody is after me, and I’m on guard for another attack every time I leave the shanty.”
“Dammit,” he said. “I hate this for you, and I hate the fact that we can’t get this person identified and behind bars.”
“Eventually whoever it is will be caught,” she said with a confidence she didn’t quite feel. “Besides, nothing has happened since the note was left on my door. Maybe the person has moved on and is no longer after me.”
“That’s dangerous thinking,” he warned her. “You can’t think that way because it might make you careless with your safety.”
“I know.” She released a deep sigh.
For the next hour or so they talked about more pleasant things. She told him more about her vision for the shop, and he shared with her funny stories of his police work. She then shared funny stories about growing up with her sisters.
It was a pleasant time and she thoroughly enjoyed their conversation. She gazed out the window, where twilight shadows had moved in.
“I think it’s probably time for me to head home.”
“Before you go, there’s one more thing I want to talk to you about,” he said.
“What’s that?” He suddenly looked so serious, and a wave of apprehension shot off inside her.
“Since the cases have stalled, there’s really no reason for me to continue with the nightly check-ins. I think it’s time I change them to once a week or so.”
She wanted to protest, but she knew he was probably right. He’d been very accommodating to do the nightly check-ins withher for as long as he had. It would be selfish of her to demand he continue them.
“I understand,” she replied. “Daniel, I appreciate everything you’ve done for me so far.”
“So, how about we set it up that I’ll check in with you every Saturday night,” he suggested.
“Okay, that works for me,” she agreed, even though she would miss seeing him every night. “And now, if that’s it, I’m going to get out of your hair and head home.” She got up from the sofa and he rose as well.
“Thank you again, Daniel, for the lovely dinner.” She walked to the front door and then turned to face him.
His gaze on her was so warm. There had been a simmer going on between them all evening. If he asked her to stay the night, she would. There was really nothing more she’d rather do than finish the night being held in his arms.
But he didn’t ask and so she didn’t stay. Fifteen minutes later she was in her car and headed home. It was probably a good thing they were only going to see each other once a week from here on out.
Her feelings for him had become more complicated. She enjoyed spending her evenings with him. She liked everything about him. In fact, if she allowed it, she might be falling in love with him. And that scared her.
It was definitely time to put the brakes on. She didn’t want a relationship with him, so there was no point in spending any more extra time with Daniel. She wanted updates on the investigations from him and nothing more.
She just wasn’t sure why these thoughts caused a shaft of pain to sear through her.
THENEXT WEEKthe days flew by. She found the storefront she wanted and signed a year-long contract. Thankfully the interior was already set up with display shelves and counters.
She arranged for Matt Green, the local contractor and handyman, to paint the interior a light seafoam green. Then she talked to Larry Carlson, who owned a sign company, about what she wanted as a sign outside the store.
When she wasn’t working at her regular job, she surfed the internet, looking for items she could sell that would make good companions to her homemade remedies.
As fun and exciting as the days were, in contrast the evenings dragged on long and lonely. She missed Daniel. She missed their long conversations and their shared laughter. She missed the scent of him and his very presence.
She hadn’t realized just how much she’d enjoyed having his company each night until it was gone. It irritated her that she’d allowed him to get so close, that she’d allowed him to creep so deeply into her heart.
