Page 32 of Island Whispers

That was complete nonsense. He’d been observing for a few days now. The woman packed more into her workday than most people would in a week. And he could see it taking a toll on her. The Spratt mess only made it worse. “Why are you lying to me?” he snapped.

She’d been bent over, putting on her shoes, and lost her balance, startled by his demanding tone. He reached out, steadying her, but she shook off his attempt to assist.

“What exactly do you think I’m lying about?”

He was done. Just couldn’t take it anymore. For days, she’d been like this. Pale and tired, not eating. And perpetually distracted. She needed a break, space to relax and recuperate. Could he convince her to go to a safe house? “You don’t feel good,” he began. “It’s more than the stress. You look miserable.”

He saw the spark in her eye too late. He was pissing her off, but he couldn’t stop himself.

“Thank you for that glowing assessment.”

“I mean it, Nina. If you need sleep, go back to bed. Molly can handle the shop. Or call your friend to help out. I’m concerned,” he pleaded now. “I want you to take care of yourself.”

“I’ve been taking care of myself long before you came around. I built a business apart from my parents and their connections. You might not know it, but being a florist of our size is rarely profitable. Island Bloomers is turning a solid, consistent profit.”

“Good!” And he meant it. He wanted her to succeed. To be happy. But wasn’t it also important to feel happy and strong and content? “Is that success worth sacrificing your health?”

She opened her mouth and snapped it shut again. “I was fine until Spratt decided to target me,” she said after a moment. “With you here, I’m supposedly safe.”

“You are safe,” he vowed. “I won’t let him anywhere near you.”

Her breath caught and he saw a sheen of tears in her eyes before she blinked them away. “Thanks for that.” She lifted her chin. “I know I look like crap and I’m trying to let things go.”

He hadn’t meant to be a jerk. “Nina.”

“Forget it.” Her smile wobbled. “We need to get downstairs and open the shop.”

“Sure. Because it begins and ends with business for you,” he groused.

She planted her hands on her hips. “Why are you picking a fight?”

He didn’t have any idea. He just knew he couldn’t keep wandering around, pretending he didn’t want to hold her or kiss her or comfort her. He wanted to give her more than protection. He wanted to be more to her. And in a perfect world, he’d receive some small sign that she felt something more for him.

“Nina, that day—”

“No.” She shook her head. “Don’t go there. Not now. It may not be fair to you, but I’ve decided not to talk about that. Ever. I’m trying to be the mature person in an awkward situation.”

Did she really believe he was being childish? Well, he wasn’t giving her much maturity at the moment.

“Let me get to the shop,” she said, her voice flat. “Thank you for watching over me. I can’t explain how much peace of mind it gives me knowing you’re around. I appreciate your concern for my well-being.”

None of those words rang with sincerity. More like a litany she was reciting to soothe his pride.

“Nina.”

“This,” she wagged a finger between them, “is temporary, right?”

He nodded. It was supposed to be temporary.

Ideally, they’d catch Spratt, lock him up, and Nina would be out of danger. Boone would go on to the next assignment and they’d never see each other again. That’s how his job was supposed to work. But he’d never protected a former lover. And that’s what she was to him, no matter that it was one incomparable, anonymous night.

“So that makes this awkward situation just something to get through. That’s my focus.”

Great. Her focus was getting through a stressful, short-term crisis. When it ended, she expected him to be out of her life. Message received. Loud and clear.

“Fair enough.” Better all-around if he stopped making her journey harder. Resigned, he said, “Let’s get you to work.”

He opened the door, checking the landing and stairs while she locked the apartment door. Then he led the way down to the ground floor. He would stand between her and any risk until he was transferred to another assignment.

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