Page 25 of Two Favors Repaid

“Rob, hi, I just got home. The door is fixed but the locksmith’s going to be charging us a pretty penny for that. It was after hours, plus this neighbor lady was screaming at us the whole time. Special Agent Ramsay tells me you’ll be taking care of that bill?”

Rob could hear the smile in the officer’s voice.

“I guess it’s the least I can do,” Rob replied. His muscles shook as he recalled the absolute panic of that moment.

“I’m glad Emma’s okay. She’s with you, right?”

“Yeah, she’s staying with me for the next few days at least.” Rob lowered his voice even further. He didn’t want Emma overhearing this part of the conversation. “This Robin character … we need to get to the bottom of this, Susan. There are too many tourists in Sharp’s Cove during the summer. We can’t start suspecting any and all new faces.”

“James—I mean Special Agent Ramsay—promised he’d call tomorrow, after they visit Ford’s attorney. It’s pretty clear that Ford has been abusing his legal mail privilege but proving it may not be so easy.”

“Let’s hope they get a name from him.”

“What are you going to do in the meantime, Rob?”

“She’s safe on the boat, if I can just convince her to stay here while I’m gone.”

Susan made a strange gurgling sound. “What makes you think she’ll do as you say?”

“I’ll find a way to convince her. I have to keep her safe, Susan.”

“I understand. You know you can count on me.” The younger officer’s voice was uncharacteristically serious.

“Thank you, Susan. And thanks for the lock. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

“Sleep well, Chief Deputy,” Susan said.

Rob ignored the sarcasm.

She’s right. How the hell am I going to get any sleep with Emma in the room right next to mine?

He took a quick shower, making sure not to use all the hot water in case Emma wanted to take a shower herself—though he’d caught her coming out of the bath just earlier that evening so she most likely wouldn’t shower again until the next morning.

He walked out of the shower, a towel wrapped low around his hips, and bumped right into Emma, who was standing on tiptoes in the kitchen reaching for a glass from the cabinet. He saw her before she saw him and froze. She was wearing a turquoise nightgown. It was a fairly modest piece of clothing, reaching almost to her knees, but the way it clung to her shapely behind had him gasping. His hands itched to reach out and touch her.

She turned around, saw him, and almost dropped the glass.

He reached for the towel, worried it had slipped, but it was still held to his hips.

“Sorry,” he said. “I should have taken clothes into the bathroom. I’m just not used to—”

“Sharing your space?” she asked softly. “Don’t worry, I know what you mean. I’m also used to living alone.”

“Do you need anything?” he asked.

Her big blue eyes were still on his towel, a small smile playing on her lips. Rob couldn’t tell whether she was afraid it would fall or hoping it would. For a moment he considered letting go of the towel. Then common sense won.

“Let me know if you need anything, Emma,” he said, beating a hasty retreat.

Smooth, man, very smooth.

In his room he put on a pair of boxer shorts and T-shirt and lay in bed. He listened as Emma’s soft steps took her into her bedroom. Feeling like a lecherous fool, he picked up a book and re-read the same sentence five times before giving up.

Who am I kidding?

The thought of having Emma sleeping right next to him was not conducive to sleep. He went back outside and did another check of his alarm system. Everything seemed to be working fine. She was safe. He went back into his room, closing the door as gently as he could. The boat rocked gently but sleep was a long time coming for Rob.

Chapter 7