And safe from him.
Ledger nods. “Right… Thanks.”
He heads for the backdoor that Rhett walked out of just moments ago and leaves without another word.
Turning my attention to the dishes, I make quick work of cleaning them and putting them away. Just as I move to grab the sponge to wipe down the counters, the softest creak of the floorboard catches my attention. Tamping down the instinct to tense in surprise, I plaster a smile on my face and turn around.
There, standing in the doorway between the kitchen and hallway, is Blair Shelmore.
Last night, she’d been but a shadowy silhouette. This morning is a different story.
Her dark brown skin has pretty, subtle yellow undertones, and her eyes are a medium shade of brown. Her relaxed hair is cut short, the tips hanging an inch or so past her chin, and partedslightly off center to frame a delicate, round face. As our eyes meet, her full, pouty lips pull up into a small but friendly smile.
She’s shorter than I thought. It must be the way she carries herself. There’s an air of poise and confidence hanging around her that makes Blair’s five, two—maybefive, three—height seem inconsequential.
She’s dressed in a black tank top and black pants, her outfit completed with a pair of black boots. Her exposed arms are toned, her stomach flat, and her thighs, though on the thicker side and give her a natural curve to her body, are muscular. Well, shit. Cold stone killer?ThatI expected, and I was right in that assessment. But a petite bombshell? Nope, didn’t see that coming.
“Hi,” she greets before I can. “It’s Wesley, right?”
“To most, yeah but you can call me Wes,” I reply. “That’s what I make my friends call me.”
Blair’s smile widens some. She takes a step into the kitchen, swiping up a black tactical bag from the floor behind her, and moves to place it on the island. I eye it curiously. She’d had nothing with her when we picked her up last night. Where’d she get the bag, let alone the stuff inside of it?
“Whatcha got there?” I ask.
“A bug out bag,” she explains with a simple shrug. “Ledger left one in the closet for me.”
I raise a brow. “And you brought it down because…?”
“I’m headed out. I got a few hours of sleep and now I feel much better. Thanks for helping out last night. Maybe one day I can return the favor.”
I lean back against the edge of the counter and cross my arms over my chest as I study her.
“Ledger didn’t mention you were leaving.”
Blair shrugs. “He doesn’t know, but I can’t wait around for him. I left a note on my dresser. Maybe you can tell him I said good-bye? I need to go.”
I frown. “I thought this is where you were supposed to be lying low?”
“Apparently, there’s been some miscommunication.” Her quick response is sharp, full of sass, and comes with a challenging hand-on-the-hip gesture. “My dad can’t face trouble alone. I’m going to go find and help him.”
My frown flips as my lips quirk upward. I know she’s supposed to look intimidating, but there’s nothing I find more attractive than a woman with a bit of an attitude.
“Well, Ledger’s not usually wrong but I suppose there’s always a first for everything.” I shrug. “In any case, since he’s expecting you to be here when he gets back, I think it’s best you stay put. Otherwise, you’ll put me in a tough position.”
Her pretty, large brown eyes narrow. “Tough position?”
“I promised I’d help look after you. Can’t do that when you’re not here.”
I chuckle at her exasperated eye roll as she replies, “I don’t need a babysitter.”
“No, ma’am, you probably don’t,” I agree. “But what about a friend?”
Blair’s lips purse as she considers the offer. I take advantage of her momentary hesitation and step aside so she can see the food behind me.
“While you ponder on that, how about some breakfast?”
I don’t give her time to respond. Quickly, I turn and make her a plate. When it’s full, I carry it over to the island and place the plate right beside her backpack. Giving her a warm smile, I even pull out the barstool for her.
