Page 63 of Sadie's Guarded Harbor

“What about an ice-cold beer?” Setting her phone on her nightstand, she reached for her computer and settled it on her lap.

He scratched the back of his neck. “I don’t think you should have alcohol with the pain medication they prescribed.”

She stared at him with hooked eyebrows. “First, I was kidding. Second, I’m only taking over-the-counter pills. I can’t afford to let anything affect my thinking.”

Tommy dropped onto the mattress. “You mean like a bullet to your head?” Turmoil churned in his gut. As long as he lived, he’d never erase the image of her blood-soaked head, closed eyes, and white face from his mind.

She softened the tight lines around her eyes. “I’m sorry. Today was tough for us both. But we can’t stop. Not now. Not when we’re so damn close.”

He flicked his gaze to the clock then back to her bandaged and battered face. “It’s dinner time. Shawn’s car’s being pored over for evidence. We’ve put in calls to all the local hospitals requesting records from the month in question. Now it’s time to give it a rest. At least for the night. We can hit it hard in the morning. If you’re feeling up to it.”

She scowled. “I’m fine. I don’t need to rest now. I want to search for articles for deaths or injuries caused by a car for the month the storage unit was first rented.”

Licking his lips, he gained a firm grasp on his slipping composure. “We’ll have more luck searching their archived newspapers they keep on hand. And even if you found something of interest right now, it won’t be much use without the aid of the records we need from the hospitals. Everyone we called was already home for the night. If we wake up early, we’ll have plenty of time to read through the newspapers before most of the administrative staff at the hospitals are even at their desks.”

Snapping her computer closed, she drooped her shoulders and offered a weary smile. “You’re right. And I am gettinghungry. But I’ll only eat if you let me get out of this ridiculous bed.”

“Isn’t it supposed to be romantic when a man brings his woman food in bed? On a fancy tray with a flower beside it.”

She folder her arms over her chest. “Your woman?”

Suppressing a laugh, he shrugged. They hadn’t discussed the status of their relationship, and he didn’t have the first clue the right way to bring it up. But one thing was for sure—after today, he had no doubts about the part he wanted her to play in his life. The only uncertainty lay with how Sadie felt.

“And where in the world would you find a random flower in the middle of winter? Not in my house, that’s for sure.”

Leaning forward, he pressed his lips to hers. If he didn’t stop her, she’d go on and on about the flower and the tray and everything else besides the one thing he really wanted to discuss. “Forget the bed. We can eat in the kitchen. I’ll order pizza.” Not like he was hungry. His unasked questions and the trauma of the day sat heavy in his stomach, but he needed to make sure she ate.

“Sounds perfect.”

Helping her to her feet, he kept his gait slow as he guided her into the living room and onto the sofa. Mittens leapt off the windowsill and nestled into a ball on her lap. A loud purr vibrated from his throat.

Sadie ran her fingers over his head. “He always seems to know when I need a little extra love.”

“I can help you with that.” Tommy settled his arm over her shoulder and pulled her close. “And not just tonight. I want you to know, I?—”

Ring, Ring

Sadie shot forward. Pain rippled across her face. She stilled, pressing the tips of her fingers to her temple.

“I’ll gab your phone. You stay put.”

“Go ahead and answer it. The call could be important.”

Cursing the bad timing, Tommy jogged into her room and grabbed the phone from the nightstand. He could have told her to wait, finished what he wanted to say, but her mind would be on who was calling. And if the person on the other end was Amelia, she’d take priority over anything he could say. Better to take the call then talk.

An unknown number flashed across the screen. He answered the call and pressed the speaker button. “Deputy Pennel’s phone.”

“Umm, hello. This is Jess Sproles. Deputy Pennel asked me to call. Said it was important.”

“Give me one second. I’ll grab her.” The name quickened his pace back to his spot on the couch beside Sadie. He held the phone so they could both hear the conversation. He mouthed, “It’s Jess Sproles.”

Sadie widened her eyes. “Hello. This is Deputy Pennel.”

“Hi. You said you had some questions for me.” Jess’s voice was soft and uncertain.

“Yes, thank you so much for calling. I have some questions regarding Shawn Downs.” She bit into her bottom lip.

Tommy tightened his grip on the phone. Hopefully Jess didn’t spook easy and hang up before Sadie secured the information they needed.

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