Page 8 of The Fixer

CHAPTER FOUR

JAKE

Two days later Jake leaned against the kitchen counter, his arms crossed as he watched Lyndsey pace the length of the cottage’s small living room. Her auburn hair caught the morning sun streaming through the window, making it appear almost fiery as she moved.

“I’m going stir-crazy,” she announced, spinning on her heel to face him. “I need to get outside. Fresh air. A change of scenery. Something.”

Jake raised an eyebrow, his expression calm despite the edge of her voice. “Staying inside is the safest option.”

Lyndsey huffed, crossing her arms. “Jake, I haven’t been outside since we got here. I’m not asking to go skydiving, just a walk along the shore. You can hover as much as you want.”

He let out a low sigh, knowing she wouldn’t let it go. “Fine. But I call the shots. We walk where I say we walk, and I bring my gun.”

Her eyes widened in mock exasperation. “Seriously? Your gun? Do you think the forest creatures are gunning for us? Are you planning to shoot a squirrel or something?”

Jake’s lips twitched, but he didn’t smile. “I don’t take chances. Not with you.”

Lyndsey hesitated, her gaze softening before she rolled her eyes. “Fine. Bring your gun. But if anyone asks, I’m going to say you’re paranoid.”

“No one’s asking,” Jake replied dryly, already heading for the small shed attached to the cottage. He returned moments later, the Glock tucked discreetly at his side. “Ready?”

“Lead the way, Rambo,” she teased, flashing him a grin as she slipped past him out the door.

The walk was peaceful at first, the sound of waves lapping against the shore blending with the rustle of leaves in the breeze. Lyndsey seemed to relax as they followed the narrow path along the water’s edge, her unease lessening with each step. Jake, however, remained vigilant, his sharp eyes scanning their surroundings.

“This place really is beautiful,” she said, pausing to skip a stone across the water. It bounced twice before sinking. “I used to come here as a kid. Back then, it felt like nothing bad could ever touch this place.”

Jake nodded, his gaze flicking between her and the tree line. “It’s quiet. Remote. But it’s not impenetrable.”

“Thanks for the reminder,” she muttered, the moment of nostalgia fading. “You sure know how to ruin a mood.”

“I’m here to keep you alive, not set the mood,” Jake countered, his tone clipped. “This isn’t a vacation.”

She turned to face him, her eyes flashing with irritation. “You think I don’t know that? You think I don’t feel the gravity of what’s happening every second of every day?”

Jake didn’t flinch under her glare. “I think you’re trying to pretend it’s not as bad as it is. That’s dangerous.”

Lyndsey opened her mouth to argue, then closed it again, her shoulders slumping. “Maybe you’re right. But I can’t just sit inside and wait for something to happen. I’ll go insane.”

Jake’s expression softened slightly. “That’s why I agreed to this walk. But it’s over. We’re heading back.”

She sighed but didn’t argue and turned to walk the other way. Jake spun on his heel, grasped her elbow and began to march her back toward the cottage.

When they reached the shed where Jake had parked his SUV out of sight, Jake walked her just inside and then checked the interior of both the shed and the SUV. Satisfied that all was as it should be, he stopped and turned to Lyndsey. “Wait here.”

“What? Why?” she asked, frowning.

“Because I need to check the cottage,” he said, his voice firm. “Something might’ve changed while we were gone.”

Lyndsey’s frown deepened, but she leaned against the SUV without further protest. “You really know how to show a girl a good time,” she muttered.

Jake didn’t respond. His focus was already on the cottage, his instincts sharpening as he approached the front door. Everything looked normal at first glance, but as he reached for the door, he froze.

Jake’s instincts flared the moment he saw the matchstick he had placed on the cottage door was missing. He froze, scanning the perimeter, his body tense and ready. The small, seemingly insignificant detail was confirmation enough: someone had been here. Someone was likelystillhere.

He moved quickly but silently back to the shed where Lyndsey waited. Pushing open the door, he found her leaning against the SUV, arms crossed, impatience radiating from her.

“Everything okay?” she asked, her brow furrowing as she caught the look on his face.

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