Page 88 of Eldritch

“They didn’t do a background check on him?” Doug asked as he moved about the kitchen.

“Maybe they did, maybe they didn’t. Clinton sipped his drink. “Or they didn’t care. The long arm of the good ole boy network works well for Taggert back in his hometown.”

“But then he comes all the way up to Colorado again. I wish he would’ve stayed in Texas,” she said.

Clinton sat up straighter, as if his Marine instincts had kicked into gear. “You got any plans on how to handle him?”

She considered her options, uncertain. “I was always a cautious person, but my life with my father…and after my short time with Taggert…”

Doug leaned on the kitchen counter. “He made you more cautious. Because you knew what could happen to a woman who isn’t.”

She nodded, a lump growing in her thought. “Yes. At home in Denver, I keep the doors and windows completely locked and take every reasonable precaution. I’ve always been that way. Now is no different. I’ll file a restraining order tomorrow at the sheriff’s department if the weather lets up and I make it there.”

Doug nodded. “Sounds like an excellent plan.”

“Damn straight,” Clinton said. “You put up that security system on the house, Doug. That should be a deterrent.”

“That’s the plan,” Doug said.

Sitting in the nook looking out the window at the coldness outside made winter seep into her bones. Despite her warm attire, she couldn’t seem to stay warm. She took another sip of wine and welcomed the alcoholic warmth.

“You okay, Sybil?” Doug asked.

She took him in, appreciating the concern in his eyes and appreciating how vastly different he was from Taggert.

She forced a smile. “Yeah. I’m fine. I’ll be even better when I try your world-famous spaghetti.”

Clinton grinned. “You won’t regret it. I tried to buy the recipe from him for the diner, but he said no way.”

When dinner was on the table and talk of Taggert had faded, she couldn’t deny the relief. Clinton told them about business. His two other business partners were keeping watch over the diner.

Clinton pushed back his empty bowl and sighed. “That was the best spaghetti I’ve eaten in a long time. I hate to eat and run, but I better get home and catch some sleep. Tomorrow waits for no man.”

After Clinton left fifteen minutes later, Doug said, “I didn’t even think about desert.”

She groaned and put her hand on her stomach. “I’m stuffed. Let me help with the dishes, and then I’d better head back to the house.”

He filled the dishwasher, but that left some pots and pans needing hand washing. She dried while he washed.

“I should’ve invited your whole crew over. Oversight on my part,” he said. “But I’ll admit I had something of an ulterior motive.”

Warmth flooded her as she threw a glance at him. “Oh, yeah?”

“Yeah. I like you and want to know you better.”

She smiled. “The other night at the diner wasn’t enough to scare you off?”

Their gazes tangled, and attraction bolted through her. His answering smile and the interest in his eyes made her think he might feel the same pull toward her.

“Nope,” he said. “I’m not scared off. I also wanted to say if you need to leave the mansion and one of your crew isn’t available, call me and I’ll go if I can. Just so you’re not alone.”

“That’s too much of an imposition.”

“Not for me. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Her mouth popped open. She’d never had a man say that to her before. Not even possessive Taggert. A twinge of panic went through her. Was Doug hiding Taggert-like tendencies?

No. I’d feel it in my gut if he was.

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