Page 54 of An Unexpected Home

“And when you’re home, we don’t blame you for shit that assholes do,” Melanie put in, making them all laugh.

“I don’t know what I would do without you guys.”

“Your life would go to hell in a handbasket.” Carly squeezed her hand. “Now can you go get that cousin of mine who also happens to be your boyfriend. I want to know what the plan is here.”

Finding Brandon outside talking to another officer, she waited until he was finished.

“Hey,” he said when he saw her. “How’s Mel?”

“Ornery.”

“So basically the same.”

“Yeah,” she laughed. “The girls want to know what’s going on?”

“My guys are canvassing the area and going through the house to see if they can find any clues. They are going to need a list of any valuables to see if anything is missing. But I’m betting not.”

She agreed and was sure that for whatever reason Will did this, it wasn’t to take anything. “What should we do? Go back to the studio?” Until this very second she had forgotten all about the open house.

“Do you want to go back?”

“I don’t know. With all this,” she waved to the house, “I kinda forgot about it.”

“I really see no reason for you not to go back. I can send a couple of deputies with you.”

“Oh.” She frowned. “Can’t you come with us?”

“Do you want me to?”

“I’d feel safer if it was you watching out for me.” She leaned into him and laid her head on his chest. “I trust you.”

He stroked her hair. “I will tell my guys and put Tim in charge here. Give me five minutes.”

During those five minutes, Carly and she put together a list of items that had value, including any jewelry, passports and banking info and where it could be located.

“I wish I could go back with you,” Mel said from her spot on the couch.

“No.” Logan’s voice boomed from behind her. “You need to rest.”

“You are not my boss, Logan Graham.”

“I am if you think you are going back to work.” He relocated closer to the couch and now Leah could see him. And he did not look happy.

“Can someone help me out here?” Mel looked at her and Carly.

“As much as it pains me to say this,” Carly said. “I’m with Logan. You need to rest.”

“Leah,” she pleaded.

“Sorry, but they’re right.”

“So I’m just supposed to what, sit here and do nothing? I’m not allowed to sleep, watch TV or read.”

“I’ll be here,” Logan said. “You can talk to me.”

The look she gave him would have been comical if it wasn’t for the fact that Leah knew how she felt about him.

“I hate you,” she sneered.

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