She’s gone before I even get to breathe her in.
“I’m starting to wonder the same thing,” Carter replies wryly. “Leave your bags in there.” He nods toward the next door. “I’ve got to finish up with the sheriff.”
By the time I make it downstairs, Eliza and Jackie are already gone. Carter is in the middle of a tense conversation with Sheriff Walker when he spots me and stops mid-sentence. He introduces me to the man who looks more like he runs a biker gang than someone who’s in charge of keeping people safe.
“At this rate, I’ll have to talk to the mayor about changing the population sign at the border,” he says, hands planted firmly on his duty belt.
“It’s not permanent.” I hold his stare. “Just making sure everybody’s safe and sound.”
“Mhm.” The sheriff crosses his bulky arms. “Do me one favor. Don’t go around punching people,” he drawls, looking pointedly at Carter.
My jaw hits the floor. Slowly, I turn to my best friend. The collected, ice-cold Carter Rawlings punched someone? “No way…”
“In a crowded supermarket, no less,” the sheriff adds.
Carter shrugs, unbothered. “Let’s call it self-defense against stupidity. He was an ass to Eliza.”
That tracks. Given the lengths he went to last fall for her.
What I’m less willing to admit? I’d probably do the same for a certain blonde who currently hates my guts. The thought of her being home when the break-in happened… it makes my stomach turn. I promised myself I was done with this. With her. But every time, the instinct kicks in before I have time to fight it.
“Mind if we get back to business?” the sheriff says to Carter, who glances at me apologetically.
“I have to make a call,” I say, waving him off. “I’ll let you ladies finish the chat.”
My assistant answers before the first ring dies.
“Yes, Gilda. I’ll be taking meetings by video call for the next…” I don’t even know what the plan is. “Until I get back. If anything’s urgent, I’ll fly back.”
The pause on the other side of the phone is telling. “Anything else?” she asks, with an edge of caution.
I’d already set everything up last night. “Mark knows which hearings to look out for and what reports need to be sent out to clients.”
When evening rolls around, I’ve already filled Carter in on my talk with Congressman Turner and all the unpleasant details of the night I booked myself an overnight stay in the ER.
“We should get started on dinner.” Eliza snaps a large binder closed, sliding it away with the tips of her fingers and a grimace.
I grab the offending binder and flip through it. “Need some help with the wedding stuff? I’ve been to tons. I can definitely tell you whatnotto do. You’re not planning a live snake act, right?” I say with a shudder.
“Can I make it eat the guests who are rude?” Eliza crinkles her nose.
Carter freezes mid-step, on his way out of the pantry, arms full of ingredients. “No eating people at the wedding, Eliza.” He sets everything on the counter and pulls on an apron. “On that note, I’ll take care of dinner.”
“Fine.” She rolls her eyes playfully. “Jackie will help me. She’s more fun than you.”
The woman in question has been hiding in her room since they got back. I should be happy about it. Not having her scowl at me when we’re in the same room. But it only makes me crave her attention more, in any form I can get it.
The stupid urge to ask if she’ll be joining us for dinner has me looking for something to do. Anything really. I rap my knuckles on the window as a distraction. “Are these impact-resistant?”
Carter quirks a brow. “Replaced them when I bought the house.”
“And…”
“Yes, they have sensors,” he adds, casually chopping carrots.
“Ahem.” I circle the island, scrambling to remember my mental list. “Cameras?”
He turns on the burner, setting down the pan. “Hidden all over the property.”
