I didn’t know what to say.
His reaction wasn’t standoffish or rude but rather solemn, catching me off guard. I’d made my feelings known from the start, and he had done nothing but respect my wishes by giving me the space I so desperately sought. The problem was there was something about him that I was drawn to, a feeling of safety I wasn’t accustomed to, and it had nothing to do with his job but more with his expressive, soulful eyes that reflected a mirrored sense of relatable pain. He had his own protective walls up, yet he was trying to help someone he barely knew.
Boden’s eyes softened with unspoken understanding as they held mine captive before he looked toward the kitchen and gave me a reprieve to gather my wits.
“I see you’re a fan of online ordering as well.” I followed the path of his gaze to where I had a growing pile of Amazon boxes that needed to be broken down.
“Guilty as charged.” I breathed a sigh of relief. “It’s easier than going out right now.”
“Are you taking up the hermit lifestyle?”
“Something like that.” I shrugged just as my stomach announced where its head was at.
“Ah . . . did you want to order food in?”
He again put himself out there, offering me another chance to not sit alone while my brain worked feverishly to prevent me from spiraling into darkness.
“It’s okay, message received. I’m going to head out.”
“Boden.” He turned, and his gaze was reserved. “I’m sorry. Please don’t leave here thinking I’m some cold-hearted person who isn’t grateful for your help and your kindness because I am . . . I’m very much appreciative. I just—” I swallowed hard. “I’m kind of a mess right now, and I need to find my footing here first, but I’d like a rain check on dinner if you think you could give me another chance?” I offered.
He had almost been at the front door by the time I’d unearthed my voice and spoken from my heart, giving him a glimpse into where my head was at.
“I’d like that.” His lips curved into a shy smile before he rubbed his hand over his stubbled jawline, pinching a dimple in the center. “And from where I stand, you’re not a mess. In fact, you’re far from it.” He winked before walking out of the house, effectively shutting down my chance for a rebuttal.
“If you only knew,” I whispered out loud.
Chapter6
Boden
“Please be advised of a single vehicle accident on Number One Side Road, near Arcadia. Fire and paramedics have been dispatched.”
“Officer nine-oh-five responding forthwith. Can you confirm north or south of Arcadia?”
Nightfall was upon us, and I knew that stretch of road at this time of night would be a darkened abyss.
“Northeast about a hundred yards.”
“Copy.”
While knowing the rough coordinates helped narrow the search area, as I rolled up on the scene, the visible evidence of tire tracks spinning out on the road helped me locate the vehicle in distress like a sharpshooter’s bull’s-eye. With my flashlight in hand, I quickly exited the cruiser only to eat a dust cloud from the gravel I’d just kicked up, but that didn’t hinder my ability to get down the grassy embankment at a marathon pace to the vehicle that was nose down in the ditch.
As I approached the scene, my eyes widened with instant recognition and alarm the second the beam from my flashlight caught the reflective sheen of the green car rental sticker on the back right bumper of the white Ford Explorer.
An SUV I pulled over on its first night in town.
A vehicle generally parked across the street from my home, belonging to my new tenant.
My heart dropped on the spot, fearful of the condition I would find her in.
Adrenaline forced me into action, knowing time was of the essence.
While my first instinct was to grab the door handle, I knew that wasn’t a viable option as the door was severely crumpled inward, as evidenced by the brunt of the impact hitting squarely on the firewall just behind the doorjamb. I was sure she wouldn’t be walking away unscathed if it weren’t for that firewall. I pivoted my stance while the broken glass from the driver’s window crunched beneath my boots and moved the overhead window airbag out of the way to get a better visual of who I prayed wasn’t inside.
“Lakelyn.” My voice cracked when I took in her unconscious state. “Lakelyn, it’s Boden.”
I carefully brushed her darkened wisps of hair off her face and ran my fingers down to the pulse point under her jaw. A heavily weighted sigh caused my shoulders to sag with relief the moment I felt the beat of her heart pumping against my fingers.
