Page 125 of The Rogue

“You try staying home with nothin’ to do,” I call after him.

When they back out of the driveway, I turn a warm smile to my guard, Kenny. “Morning.”

“Good morning, Mrs. Reeves.” Kenny greets me stonily. He’s not the one from Hideaway Springs P.D. And he didn’t like being relocated one bit. He's been staying in one of our spare roomsupstairs.

“Can I get you a coffee or anything?”

He lifts his cup. “Already got one. Thank you.”

I nod. “Maybe a chair?”

He stares ahead. “Thank you. No.”

“Mmmkay.” I salute him and step back into the house.

I pull myCowboys Do It Bettermug from the cupboard and pour myself some coffee.

Levi bursts through the basement door, drenched in sweat. He glances toward the front door. “Who was it this morning?”

“Charlie. She’s actually doing a reading at the school, so it worked out.”

“Thank goodness for book lovers.”

“Agreed.” I hold up my mug.

He glances at it, then moves to the cupboard, grabbing one for himself. “Hey, did you hear anything from Lonnie about her and my dad? Sounds like they’re talking—a lot.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “Do you think of your ex every time you see this mug?”

He coughs a laugh. “What? Of course not. Just… when you’re holding it.”

I roll my eyes and dump the rest into the sink. Then open the trash and drop it inside.

With a wide grin, he pulls me against him. “Okay,thatwas adorable. But I thought jealousy wasn’t your thing?”

“It’s not.” I step back stubbornly. “It was cracked.”

“No, it wasn’t.”

I open the trash bin again and toss the near-empty jam jar into. It lands with a crash. “Is now.”

He breaks into laughter. “What is going on with you?”

“I don’t know. I don’t feel like myself. Maybe I’m just on edge. Eddie is still out there. He could be halfway across the country or in our bushes. What if all this security is for nothing? I’ve upended everyone’s lives. Especially yours.” My voice cracks and my eyes burn.

His expression smooths and his arms wrap around me again. “I know. Let’s catch up with Frank and the Sheriff tomorrow. See how much longer we need to keep up precautions before we move on with our lives.”

I nod and rest my head against his chest.

“You ready for breakfast?”

I consider it for a moment. My usual morning nausea hasn’t improved the way my nightmares have over the last few weeks.

In fact, it’s stronger and surprisingly leaves me craving food rather than averting it.

“I think so. Are you staying for a bit?”

“For the morning. Then I have a catch up with Maggie about the Barley wedding next week.”

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