Page 41 of Guarded Hearts

Her respect for the Malone brothers swelled.

Carson went on. “And I asked Willow to work for me today rather than doing horse-girl things.”

She’d taken a sip of coffee that quickly sputtered into a cough. “Excuse me—horse-girl things?”

“You know exactly what I’m talking about.” He reached out and pinched a lock of her hair, giving it a light tug just like he used to when she spent so much time in her barn with her own horses. Ones she’d always missed desperately when she was in New York.

She batted his hand away.

“Um…forgive my interruption. Carson?”

At the sound of Faye’s voice, they turned their heads.

Carson dropped his arm, but she felt Faye’s eyes tracking the movement. Her housekeeper had seen him touching Layne’s hair.

“What is it, Faye?”

She gave Carson her attention. “A delivery arrived. You made it clear that you’re supposed to check everything—”

“I’m coming.” He strode to the door.

Layne started to stand. He waved for her to stay. Any playfulness fled from his expression. In its place was the stern, hard look of a man who had seen things. Things she couldn’t evenimagine.

She picked up another letter, eager to submerge herself in the Carson she once knew and loved.

With it came the realization that the man who’d walked out that door, his mind on keeping her safe, was someone she was starting to love just as much.

* * * * *

Carson’s fingers still tingled from the silky feel of Layne’s hair. In the future, he needed to refrain from touching her. Sharing a roof with her was proving to be more of a challenge than he ever expected.

It didn’t help that she was reading his letters. Cracking open old wounds. Tearing down the walls he’d spent decades erecting around his heart.

Faye bustled through the house ahead of him, leading the way to the foyer. A box lay on the floor in front of the door.

Going on alert, he stepped in front of her and swept out an arm, directing her to stay behind him.

“In the future, please ask the delivery person to stay until I accept the package.”

“Of course, Carson. I’m sorry I didn’t think of that.”

“I should have said something before.” He didn’t like making mistakes. Least of all in a case that involved Layne. They might not be in a romantic relationship anymore, but that didn’t mean he wanted to see her in a coffin.

The thought made his stomach twist.

As he approached the long, narrow box, he assessed the packaging. Cardboard. No markings on the outside.

Over his shoulder, he cast Faye a glance. “Did you see who delivered this?”

“Yes. A flower vendor from Willowbrook.”

He went still.

Then he reached for the box.

“Leave the room please, Faye. For security reasons.”

“Of course.”

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