Page 49 of No Bed Of Roses

The deputy studied Isla for a moment, then nodded. “Okay. Your cousin isn’t here in Vermont. He’s currently in Dallas. He’s been making his way around Texas, visiting agricultural centers and labs, where he’s been asking questions about you, trying to find if you work there.”

Levi moved to wrap an arm around Isla. Her face paled, and her eyes darted around the space. “It’s not Glen?”

Marcus shrugged. “He was in Texas when your car was sabotaged.”

Hell. Levi had been sure it was him.

Isla leaned into him. “But Ed Pringle doesn’t make any sense. It would cost a lot of money to cross the country to find me, and he’s unemployed. He was the one who stole my data. Why would he bother trying to hurt me when it was his fault he got fired?”

Marcus nodded. “I agree. It doesn’t make any sense. Through my contacts, we know Pringle was in Texas until last week. He has since given up his apartment, and we’re unsure of his current location.”

Levi felt Isla shudder under his arm, and he knew why his buddy had wanted to talk when they were inside. “If he was there until last week, does that mean he couldn’t have been here to cut the ladder?”

Marcus nodded.

“So it wasn’t either of them? There’s another person who hates me?” Isla’s voice was shrill as she shoved out of his arms and headed back into the thin strip of woods.

Marcus’ face was grim. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything yet.”

Levi shrugged. Would it have mattered when he told them? Bad news was bad news.

Troy kept his voice quiet. “These two can finish the search. Go. I’ll watch your six.”

Levi nodded and moved through the woods. There was no telling if the guy with the gun was gone or if he was waiting for Isla to be alone. Which wasn’t going to happen.

He caught up to her as she exited the woods, looking around for anyone before she proceeded. Knowing she would have to burn off the fear, he simply walked beside her as she strode between the rows of hops.

Hopper caught up to them and walked on her other side. Isla patted his head. “I’m sorry you got hurt, Hopper. It’s all my fault, but I’m going to fix it.”

Her muttered words probably weren’t for his ears, but they broke his heart. The middle of a field wasn’t the place for this conversation, though. He kept his gun at his side and his eyes moving. Knowing Troy had their backs meant he didn’t have to worry about a threat from that direction.

When they neared the fence between their properties, Isla ignored his hand and clambered over without breaking her stride. At the cottage, her tear-soaked gaze turned to him. “I don’t think you should come in. And I think you should take Hopper with you. I’m sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused.”

She didn’t give him a chance to answer before she unlocked the door and tried to close it in his face. Fat chance.

He and Hopper slipped into the mudroom behind her, then he locked the door and set the alarm. He undid his boots and toed them off.

Isla had her own boots off, and she turned to him again. “Please, Levi. I can’t be responsible for someone hurting you or Hopper. He can’t hurt anyone I love. It’s too dangerous to be around me.”

The dog wound between her legs, trying to ease her tension. She patted him and then did the same to Levi’s chest. “Please take him. Take care of him. I’ve got three people who hate me, and I can’t have them putting either of you in danger.”

Again, she didn’t wait for an answer before she turned and headed for her bedroom. She yanked a bag out of her closet and set it on the bed. “Levi, you have to go. It’s too dangerous. He’s almost killed you twice. I have to leave. He won’t be able to find me, and then he’ll go away. If I stay, he’s going to hurt you, and that would break me.”

She kept talking, pleading. Instead of arguing when she was so worked up, he moved to her and wrapped his arms around her.

For a moment, she squirmed against his hold, but almost immediately, she leaned into him.

“I have to go.” Her whisper barely reached him. “What is so horrible about me that so many people want to hurt me?”

And then she broke.

He scooped her into his arms and settled against the headboard and cuddled her. Like a late summer storm, the sobs were fierce but short-lived. Hopper jumped onto the bed and arranged himself so his face was on her legs.

Levi passed her the tissue box from the nightstand and continued to hold her. Hopper licked her hand, and she patted his head.

When her breathing settled, she didn’t push off his chest, just continued to lean into him. He kept his hands moving, offering her any comfort he could. “Did you mean it?”

She nodded into his chest. “I did. If I leave, you and Hopper will be safe.”

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