“I’ll bet the boys could coax them out of you.” He popped one in his mouth and crunched down on the nut.
“Okay, guilty as charged. They both just left.” She studied him for a long moment. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be starting dinner rounds?”
He perched on the edge of her desk and told her what her cousin had said. Her smile faltered as he talked, and he hated the fear that crept into her amber eyes. “Rod isn’t necessarily worried yet, but he didn’t like it. I’m not sure about you moving into your new apartment now. It would be safer to stay here.”
She took her attention from her computer. “I’ll be fine, Blake. I know how to take care of myself, and you installed that security system. The sheriff substation isn’t far, and with people around in town, the danger might be less than in an isolated place like The Sanctuary.” Her smile finally returned. “Besides, I was thinking the other night about how nice it will be to have some alone time with you. I don’t think I’m willing to give up the thought of snuggling on the sofa and watching a good chick flick.”
He faked a groan. “And here I thought you agreed we’d only watch all the spy shows. I’d even settle for animal documentaries.”
The truth was, he’d watch every chick flick ever filmed if he got to have her tucked up against his side with the plumeria scent from her hair curling around him. The light in her eyes and the teasing smile on her lips were almost enough to make him forget the danger of her living alone. Almost.
An outside iron staircase accessed Paradise’s apartment above her veterinary office from a little-used alley. She hid a smile at the distaste on Blake’s face when he saw the narrow strip of gravel with weeds poking through. He’d already voiced his opinion about it being too easy for an intruder to come up those stairs without being noticed.
She opened the passenger door of his truck and climbed out. “I know what you’re thinking, but I’m not worried. That new dead bolt would keep Dozer out. I’ll be fine.”
He smiled at the mention of their only rhino. “Dozer would make short work of that lock.” He checked the camera above the door. “Everything looks in order.”
She unlocked the door and stepped into the living room with Blake on her heels. The space held the odor of fresh paint and the new vinyl plank flooring. Light bounced off the light gray walls and pooled on the pale wood-toned floors. “I love it! All this sunlight streaming in makes me happy.”
She’d found nice used furniture at a store in Foley, and the light gray leather complemented the space and color scheme. An inexpensive rug she’d bought online anchored the space under the furniture. She wandered through the kitchen and two bedrooms. “It’s all ready. After I move in, I want the boys to have a sleepover tonight.”
“They’ll be happy to christen the new bunk beds.”
“Well, they aren’t new, just new to me.”
“I’m impressed. You managed to get everything you need on a shoestring budget, and it all looks great. I’ll start hauling your things up now. If you’resurethis is what you want to do.”
“I’m sure.”
While he clanged down the staircase, she checked out the refrigerator. Empty. She’d have to grab food before the boys came. They’d want yogurt and string cheese. Pepperoni too. The kitchen supplies she’d found at a thrift store occupied the upper cabinets. The new creamy paint she’d rolled on the cabinets hid the dented and chipped wood. They looked almost new. She could see herself cooking in here.
Blake came through the door with a tub of belongings in his arms. Everything she owned was in three tubs, including the items belonging to her mother that Evan had found in his attic. “You can put everything in my bedroom. I can come help grab the last two.”
“They’re smaller than this one. I can make one trip.” He dropped a kiss on her head as he maneuvered around her and went to the bedroom.
A call came through on her phone, and she glanced at the screen. Unknown. She almost didn’t answer it, but it could be someone calling with an animal emergency, so she didn’t want to ignore it. “Dr. Alden.”
Music played into her ear, and she recognized it as “The Music of the Night” fromThe Phantom of the Opera. A chill shuddered down her back, and she licked her lips. “Hello? Is anyone there?” There was a strange discordant sound before the call ended.
“Who was it?” Blake asked behind her. “You went pale. Is everything all right?”
“I—I think it was a prank call.” She told him about the music playing.
He reached for her phone and called up the number, thenpunched it into his phone. “Nothing comes up about the number.” His frown deepened. “I don’t like it, Paradise. I don’t think you should stay here tonight. We wouldn’t want the boys in the line of sight of some nut either.”
Trepidation replaced her earlier euphoria, but she strove to hide her fear from Blake. “I’m sure it was kids playing a prank. I’ll put my things away while you bring up the rest. I’m going to run to the grocery store while you go get my boys. I’ll get the beds made, and we’ll have a pizza party tonight. I’m not going to let something so silly derail the fun I have planned for tonight.”
“I’ll sleep on the sofa then.” His firm tone allowed for no dissent.
She managed not to show her relief despite her earlier projection of confidence.Bravado, mere bravado.The call had already drained her anticipation and left dread in its wake. Those sweet boys would restore her equilibrium.
She lifted her chin and marched to the bedroom where she unpacked her clothing and put her things in the dresser and the closet. The bottom drawer held sheets, and she yanked it open to pull out a set for her king-size bed. A paper rustled inside the folded material of the top sheet, and she dug around until she could pull it out.
You must know that I am made of death, from head to foot, and it is a corpse who loves you and adores you and will never, never leave you!
The ominous line fromThe Phantom of the Operamade her shudder. Her pulse kicked, and the paper dropped from her nerveless fingers. This could not be a coincidence. Who would do this—and why?
She forced herself to pick up the paper, but she kept her gaze from the highlighted words and placed the paper face down on her dresser.
