Page 8 of Fire in My Heart

That’s when I went to Al and asked if I could move as soon as possible. He’d readily agreed when I explained my situation. I didn’t want Teddy to find out my reasons for living here because he’d accuse me of putting his father in danger and insist I leave. Teddy protected his family.

I didn’t think Rick was a threat to Al. He was my issue. But Teddy wouldn’t see it that way.

I just hoped Rick wouldn’t find me on the Calloway property. Staying here was my only option. If I rented in town, Rick would find me easily.

I was safe here.

I went inside, closing the door to the cottage. It was mine even if it was only temporary. I felt at peace.

If Rick showed up, hopefully he’d see Teddy’s cruiser and be deterred.

The only problem was that Teddy would move home when the renovations were completed.

I looked around at the quaint cottage. I wasn’t living in a hotel with dozens of other people. It was quiet, and I had my own kitchen.

As much as I loved being around people, I needed some time to myself, to grieve and regroup.

I’d foolishly hoped Rick had forgotten about me. That he’d moved on to someone else, as awful as that was. But this was so much worse because he hadn’t gotten over me. He was still in the delusion that we belonged together, that he’d only hit me once, and that he wouldn’t do it again. That I still could love him, even though he’d struck me.

I’d watched my mom stay with my alcoholic dad. He didn’t physically abuse us, but he abandoned us emotionally. He wasn’t there for us. I thought there was good in everyone, but I wouldn’t stay in a relationship with someone who’d hit me once and manhandled me a second time.

That situation wasn’t going to improve over time. But thinking about him gave me an uneasy feeling in my stomach.

I unpacked my sheets and wrapped them around the mattress in the bedroom. Then I unpacked my books, framed photos of my friends and family, and trinkets. Once I had all of my stuff around me, I felt a little better.

Moving here was a good idea. As long as Rick didn’t find me.

I cleaned the bathroom and kitchen next, feeling good to be cleaning my own space and not a room at the inn.

I wiped the sweat from my brow, wondering if I was working so hard because I liked things to be clean or to workoff the sexual frustration of having Teddy Calloway in my personal space. I could still smell his masculine scent in the kitchen.

I felt his disapproval like tightening in my chest. Yet it didn’t upset me. If anything, it amped me up. There was a reason why people watched the way we interacted. Sparks seemed to fly between us, but it wasn’t attraction. It was irritation.

My phone buzzed.

I smiled when I saw it was Fiona. “I miss you already.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to move back to the inn?” Fiona cried into the receiver.

I laughed. “My room is booked.”

“But I miss you.”

“Same, girl. It won’t be the same with me living here.” I couldn’t just go downstairs and talk to my friend.

“If you don’t like it, or Teddy’s a jerk to you, we’ll find you a room.”

“He was fine.”

“You’ve already seen him?”

“He followed me down the lane to see what I was doing. I guess your dad didn’t tell him I was moving in today.”

Fiona laughed. “That’s hysterical. I can imagine how that went.”

“I expected him to give me a citation for trespassing, but then your dad showed up to help me move in, and Teddy offered to help. He didn’t want your dad hurting himself.” I wouldn’t admit it to anyone, but that one move had endeared him to me. I hadn’t seen any sign that he was a human being with emotions. He was robotic about his routines and stubborn about not needing me here.

“What will you do while you’re staying there?” Fiona asked, bringing my attention back to the conversation.

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