Page 315 of Rangers Unexpected Return

Organized by year.

We split up.

Collins and Sheriff Tate searched the account ledgers.

Wolf and Trigger checked the box inventory.

The Magnolia Ladies examined old signature cards.

Mace stayed beside me.

“You don’t have to follow me everywhere.”

“I know.”

“Then why are you?”

He met my eyes.

“Fresh department-issued prints were found in the evidence room.”

His voice softened.

“And someone was outside the library.”

“I can handle myself.”

“I know that too.”

I waited.

He stepped closer.

“But I already lost you once.”

His words struck harder than I expected.

“Mace…”

“I don’t plan on doing it again.”

Every teasing answer disappeared.

I reached up and smoothed a wrinkle from the front of his shirt.

“You didn’t lose me.”

“No?”

“We lost each other.”

His gaze held mine.

“Then maybe we stop doing that.”

I swallowed around the ache in my throat.

“Maybe we do.”