Page 11 of Peril in Piney Woods

Griff placed the mugs of coffee on the table and filled two glasses with orange juice, then they sat.

“You feeling okay this morning?” he asked as he unwrapped his burrito.

His first question was simple enough. She relaxed a little. “I’m good. Not as sore as I expected after that dive to the floor.” Realizing her missed opportunity, she added, “I’m working on not thinking about the other part.”

“I’m sure that part will just take time.”

“Hope so.”

They ate for a time. Whatever question he had next waited. Suited Meg. The burrito was so good she devoured it in record time. Felt a little guilty about wolfing it down. She toyed with her napkin a bit, finished off her orange juice and considered whether she wanted another cup of coffee. The man brewed good coffee. Or maybe she’d go for another burrito.

“You ready to talk about it?”

No. Absolutely not. But she had promised to talk to him this morning, so refusing was not an option. Not to mention how worried he looked. Her goal was to alleviate his concerns without prompting his curiosity. Always a fine line.

“Sure.” She took a deep breath and launched into her practiced story. “You know how I love watching my little part of town. I could just sit at my front window and watch all day—or night—long.”

“You spotted the trouble,” he suggested as he reached for a second burrito.

“I usually take a look before I go to bed.” She made a face, a bit embarrassed. “It’s just a silly routine of mine. I swear I’m not nosy or some sort of peeping perv.”

“I always take a walk around outside before going to bed. Check on the animals.” He laughed. “Say good night. So I understand.”

He really was such a nice guy. She would never want him to know how she’d had to lie her way into this life. “I do that too—say good night, I mean. Some folks might think that’s a little strange, but it feels like the right thing to do.”

His smile faded, and he held her gaze for a long moment. Her pulse reacted. “I think that’s part of why I like you so much, Megan Lewis. You’re my kind of people.”

The want in his eyes, the sound of desire in his voice—every ounce of strength she possessed was required not to give in. How many times had she thought about taking him to her bed? Or joining him in his? God, she didn’t even remember how long it had been since she’d had sex. Forever...it seemed.

But she would not—could not drag this man more deeply into her life. The potential for a bad outcome was far too great a risk.

Friends. They could be friends.

“Anyway,” she went on, “I spotted the guy with the gun and immediately called Deputy Battles. He was ten minutes out and there was no one else, so I did what I had to do.” She stared into her empty coffee mug for a long moment. “By the time I got across the street, the guy was dragging Jennifer into the storeroom. I knew what would happen. I had to do something. She didn’t have ten minutes.”

The unfinished second burrito went back onto his plate. He reached for a napkin and wiped his hands as if needing time before speaking. “Ernie said you saved her life.”

Meg shrugged. “I’m just glad I spotted what was happening.”

“I take it,” he ventured, “you’ve had self-defense or survival instruction of some sort.” He glanced away. “Ernie mentioned you’d been attacked before.”

She’d known the two would have this discussion. Not only had they been best friends since their school days, they’d been on the basketball team together. Theirs was a tight bond.

“Mugged,” she said, going for the less complicated scenario. “He roughed me up a little. Bruises, broken wrist. I decided that was never going to happen again, so... I made myself smarter, more prepared for the unexpected.”

The relief on his face was palpable. “I think that’s smart. I’ve urged my sister to do the same. Everyone should know how to protect him-or herself.”

“It’s important.” Meg had met Louise. And his mother. He’d taken her to Thanksgiving dinner last year. He’d wanted to take her to the family’s Christmas gathering as well, but she’d pretended to be sick. Family Christmases were far too intimate.

Her decision hadn’t been about not wanting to spend time with his family. Like him, they were all very nice. It was about protecting herself and him from the mistake he so badly wanted to make.

She could not be what he wanted, and to pretend otherwise would only do harm.

“I need you to promise me something, Meg.”

She held her breath. Hoped this was not going to be one of those things that would make remaining friends even more difficult.

“I’ll try,” she offered.

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