Movement. She heard movement.
In the garage.
That was when she realized someone was in the room with her.
CHAPTER 35
Wes pushed awayfrom the wall. “You were really going to leave without telling anybody?”
The lights flipped on, and Rowan blinked at him. “Wes?”
“The one and only.”
Her grip tightened on the strap of the bag as she pushed out a heavy breath. Then she shook her head. “You scared me half to death.”
“That wasn’t an answer.” He stepped closer. “You heard Caleb and me talking earlier, didn’t you?”
Rowan looked away—but not before guilt flooded her gaze. “This property isn’t as safe with me here.”
“No place is completely safe.”
She gave him a look. “You know what I mean. People are watching from the woods. Reporters have found me. Someone followed us up the mountain road and shot at us.”
“You think leaving fixes that?” he asked.
Her cheek twitched. “If this is about me, yes.”
“And if it’s not?”
“I . . . I don’t know.”
He took another step toward her. “You don’t have anywhere to go.”
“I’ll figure something out.”
“That’s not a plan.”
“It’s better than staying here waiting for someone else to get hurt.”
The words echoed in the garage.
Wes studied her a long moment. She looked exhausted. Her hair was pulled back carelessly. An oversized sweatshirt swallowed her frame. Fear and determination fought for space behind her eyes.
And underneath it all was guilt. So much guilt radiating off her.
Wes exhaled and rubbed a hand across the back of his neck. “Rowan . . .”
She raised her gaze and held his in challenge. “I can’t stay here and destroy this place.”
“You didn’t destroy anything.”
“You don’t know that.”
“No.” He held her gaze. “But I do know that running when you’re scared usually feels smarter than it actually is.”
Something softened in her expression.
“Come back inside. Let’s go to the screened porch and talk.” He nodded at the duffel bag. “If you still want to leave after we talk, I won’t stop you.”
