Page 30 of Tangled Up In You

"Ginseng, cardamon, chamomile, orange, lavender, and some other herbs. Maybe you'll become a tea guy," she teased.

His expression turned wry. "You're not going to let me forget that, are you?"

"Depends on how many more times I hear you say you're not a something kind of guy. Do you really want to restrict yourself from life experiences like that?"

"Fair point." He set down his mug. "I've been thinking about you staying here. In fact, I just got off the phone with Lizzie, and she has an open room at her inn that you can use for as long as you need."

"You called Lizzie?" she asked in surprise. "It's almost eleven."

He shrugged. "She's a night owl."

"You shouldn't have bothered her, Adam. I'm going to stay here."

"Why? You told me earlier that you didn't feel comfortable sleeping here, and I would bet that feeling hasn't gone away now."

"I have felt uncomfortable, because when I'm here, I feel like Phoebe should also be here. I appreciate the offer, Adam, but I need to stay. Phoebe left me her business, her life, and I should do what she would do. I don't think she'd leave her home because of what happened."

"Probably not. From what I knew of her, she was very stubborn."

"I can be stubborn, too." She infused the words with as much passion as she could, needing to convince herself as much as him. "I'll be all right. I'll lock the door, and there's no glass to break through. It will be okay, won't it? He's not going to come back tonight."

"Well, so far, he doesn't seem interested in breaking in when someone is on the premises," he said slowly.

"So, that's good."

"I can't make any guarantees. You'd be safer somewhere else. But if you're going to stay, I want you to know you can call me—day or night. If you hear something, see something, whatever, pick up the phone. You don't have to worry about waking me up."

Adam had gone into full-protector mode. She sensed it was a comfortable place for him to be. He seemed less uncertain now than he had earlier. This kind of relationship worked for him. She appreciated his concern, and it felt nice to have someone want to take care of her.

"Thanks," she said. "You should go. It's late."

He nodded and set down his tea.

She got to her feet and walked him to the door. "Do you think you'll be able to catch the guy?"

"Honestly, I doubt it. He was wearing a hoodie and gloves, so no prints to match. Neither of us got a look at his face. We already know there isn't a working camera on this building. You need to get one installed." He paused, frowning. "What about the alarm system? Why wasn't that on?"

"I guess I didn't set it," she said, feeling like a fool.

"You need to be vigilant, Molly."

"I know. I've been putting it on at night, but I was in a hurry to meet Chloe. I realize that's a poor excuse. I'll be better."

"I can help you look into security cameras as well."

"That sounds expensive."

"But probably necessary. I will check with the other merchants tomorrow to see if any of their security cameras caught your intruder."

"Maybe one did," she said hopefully.

"We'll find out." He opened the door, then paused, his gaze meeting hers.

The memory of their make-out session on the mountain came flooding back into her brain. She wanted to kiss him again. But it wouldn't stop there. And she had enough danger in her life.

"I hate to leave you here alone," he murmured.

"I'll be fine. And right now, I'm looking to calm down. If you stay, that won't happen."

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