It wasn’t until she got out of the shower that something occurred to her. The sound of running water hadn’t quit. She freed her hair from the towel and tipped her head toward the window.
Rain.
The fresh rain would wash away the ground snow, meaning Sloane would finally be free to head out to the cottage, undetected, and snap pictures of any guests inside. Only the fact didn’t excite her like it should have. The idea that Sloane might be a short drive away from solving the case that had brought her here was devastating. And not just because she would have to leave after it was through.
A mean ache sank deep into her gut as Sloane lowered herself to the floor, too weak to stand. She stared at the closed bathroom door, wondering if she dared open the metaphorical door before her. She had a job to do, whether she liked it or not.
Her shoulder drooped as a question, heavy and hot, pressed down on her.
What was it that she feared most? Hurting a family that was so good?
Or finding out that that family—including the man she was falling in love with—was not so good after all?
That one.Definitely. In a way, Sloane had just found out that heaven was real. The one up in the sky, where she could speak and connect to her dad—something that had become a nightly ritual thanks to Emmitt—and the one that existed all around her. The Homestead was her heaven on earth, and she could not chance losing it.
A light rap sounded from someplace beyond the bathroom door. Sloane hurried to a stand and blinked at her reflection. Someone was there.
“Crap,” she hissed, sounding a lot like Emmitt. “I look like crap.” She felt even worse.
Sloane tightened the towel she’d wrapped about her form and opened the bathroom door. She was halfway down the hall when the knocks came again.
She moved quickly, hurrying to peek through the peephole to see who was there. She and Emmitt had said goodnight just two hours prior; surely he was not showing up at her door now, especially this late at night.
But as Sloane peered through the small glass hole, she realized she was wrong. There, hands methodically tucked beneath his chin, looking like a begging kitten in the night, was Emmitt. Sweet, wonderful, honest, adorable Emmitt Duran who Sloane was falling madly in love with.
The racked state of her body shifted in a blink—the tight and rigid ache already giving way.
“Bonjour,” she hollered through the closed door.
“I miss you already,” he said. “Is that pathetic?”
Sloane sighed as a wave ofwonderfulwashed over her. “No,” she said. “I was missing you already too.” She watched as he dropped his gaze to the doorknob expectantly. “Thank you for coming,” she said playfully. “See you again tomorrow.”
Emmitt did a double take at the door. “What?” But then a smile came over his face. “Hey,” he said smoothly. “This time I really did catch you in the shower, didn’t I?”
She laughed quietly but didn’t reply.
“Come on,” he said. “I’ll wait for you to get dressed. Just unlock the door and run. I’ll count to ten before I open it.”
“Do you actually think I am standing here naked?”
“Or with a towel on,” he said. “Either way, I won’t look. Scouts honor.” He made the scouts sign, and Sloane’s heart melted at the sight.
“Okay,” she said, unlocking the door. “Count to ten, then come on in. Make yourself at home, and I will be out in two seconds.” With that, Sloane bolted back to the bathroom. Once she was safely inside, she listened for Emmitt, who must have given her a few extra seconds just to be safe.Aw, such a gentleman.
She set her mind to the task of getting presentable. She didn’t need to look perfect. A quick detangling of her hair, and she was halfway there. Sloane smoothed lotion over her arms and chest before tugging a camisole over her head. Since her hair was still damp and she’d likely be cold, she shrugged into her soft, oversized sweater as well. Once she’d stepped into her night shorts and done a quick check in the mirror, Sloane was ready to join him.
She paused before opening the door and worked to get her thoughts in order. Yes, she was putting off her job. And yes, she owed Wren Brandler and the agency better than this, but Sloane vowed to set that right soon enough. She needed to find out, for better or worse, if these guys knew Anna Fielding. Depending on how things went, Emmitt and his family could be ripped from her life forever.
A crashing ache ripped through her at the thought.
Sloane had not taken so much as one kiss for granted. But tonight, knowing it might be their last, she would sweetly, painstakingly, savor each and every exchange.
In the beginning, Emmitt had taken the first step by saying that he liked spending time with her. Sloane had initiated the second step by saying she liked him.
And though he hadn’t said so yet, Sloane was certain Emmitt loved her. And the truth was, she loved him back. Loved him more than she’d ever loved before. Now, in case their world was about to collapse around them, Sloane needed to make sure that he knew it.
Chapter 15
