Page 29 of No Bed Of Roses

Troy shook his head. “I think we’re clear. She might not be comfortable in crowds.”

Levi nodded. “She says she’s not great with people and was nervous about coming today. But it felt like more. Something is off.”

This time, when he moved, Troy stayed where he was, although Levi could feel the man watching. Probably continuing to scan the crowd. Having Levi’s back.

It was good to be with friends he knew and trusted. He wanted Isla to feel the same. From everything she’d said, she hadn’t had enough people at her back.

When he was a dozen steps away, Isla placed another window in a pile and turned to see him. Her face lit up with a smile that had him grinning in return. When he was close enough, he dropped a kiss on her lips and took one of her hands. “Hey. Checking in to see how you’re doing.”

“I’m good. We’ve got almost all of it sorted now.” Her smile was genuine.

“Maybe I’m wrong, but you seem to be checking over your shoulder a lot. Is something wrong?”

Her lips twisted, and a flush rose to cover her cheeks. “No. I don’t think so. I just had a weird feeling a while ago, and can’t shake it.”

“Gut feelings shouldn’t be ignored.”

She blew out a breath. “I thought you’d think I was flaky.”

He frowned. “Flaky? You’re about as far from flaky as a person can get. If you feel something weird, you need to trust your instincts. When did it happen? Who was around?”

Isla rose on her toes to kiss him lightly. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

She smiled. “For believing me.”

Holy hell, he wanted to kick a few asses. She was relieved and grateful because he believed in her. He gripped her shoulders lightly and leaned down so she wouldn’t doubt him. “I will always believe you and believe in you.”

Her eyes flooded with instant tears and made him a little panicky. He wasn’t equipped to deal with tears. But she blinked hard and pulled in a few breaths, making them disappear.

“Thank you.” Her whisper barely reached his ears.

He nodded and repeated his questions. “So, who was around? What was happening?”

She pointed at the piles. “I was working with the people here and stacking some windows. But the feeling didn’t come from any of them. It was like an icy chill. Not quite a premonition-type feeling, but close. Like someone was watching me. And not someone nice.”

Levi nodded and let his hands drift down to squeeze hers. “Let’s go grab a drink.”

Ginny Phail, Troy’s cousin, had set up a table holding a couple of huge glass jars filled with water and lemonade. She continually topped them up and added ice to keep them both cool.

They walked that way and filled up their mugs. When they turned back to where the buildings had been, he could see Piper’s vision for the place. Studs and flooring still had to be taken down, but they could see through the walls.

Isla gestured. “This is going to be a great space for the park. Piper said they’re going to build a gazebo over there, a big screen for movies, a couple of play areas for the kids, and a walking track.”

He could see it as she showed him. “Looks like Epic is getting his wish and improving his town.”

She bumped her shoulder into his. “And then he’s getting his way with you, too. Growing hops and building a brewery. It’s fun to be in on the first level. We’re going to be here to watch it grow.”

Levi nodded. She was right. “And we’re going to be a part of it. This is a damn good place, Isla.”

When she leaned into his side, he wrapped his arm around her and squeezed.

She sighed. “I don’t know if I imagined the feeling. I like this place so much, but I’ve been pushed out of places I’ve liked in the past. What if I’m doing that thing where you imagine something’s real so often that you make it happen?”

Levi ran his hand up and down her arm. “I suppose it’s possible, but I doubt it. There’s no one here who wants to keep you away.”

She made a noncommittal noise, and he decided to say more. “There are two possibilities from what you’ve told me in your past. First, it could be your former coworker looking for revenge. Second, it could be that someone in your family is looking for you.”

---