Page 90 of Love Me Fearless

“Hutch,” I protest, my throat like sandpaper. “Why didn’t you say something?”

His eyes turn pained. “I didn’t want to scare you.”

Is this really happening? I gasp as the image of the dead bunny flashes into my mind. “Oh no.”

Hutch’s eyes fill with alarm. “There’s something else, isn’t there?”

I share the story, my words tumbling end over end.

Hutch pulls me closer to him and presses a kiss to my temple. “Ava, my god.”

Zach’s face goes still. “Do you have a Ring doorbell?”

“No.” I cover my face with my hands because this can’t be real. “I’m sorry.”

“We’ll get to the bottom of this,” Zach says, “Okay?”

“But you have a murder to solve and the mystery of those bones.”

“Doesn’t mean we can’t keep you safe too,” Zach says. “I hate to say this but until we get a better understanding of what’s going on, you being alone isn’t the safest option.”

“I’ll stay with her,” Hutch says before I can protest. “Or she can stay at the farm with me.”

“Good,” Zach says, sounding relieved. “Can you leave your car here for a little while? I’m going to get to work on this.”

“Like…fingerprints?” I ask.

“Maybe,” Zach says.

“I can bring you back when Zach’s done,” Hutch says.

I slump into him. “Fine.”

“Thanks, Zach,” Hutch says.

“Everett’s heading to your house to have a look around, if that’s okay with you?”

“Of course.”

“If you think of anything else I need to know, just call.”

Hutch slides off the tailgate and helps me down while Zach trots to the trunk of his SUV.

I take one last glance at my car as Hutch helps me into the cab. When we cruise past it, I look away so I don’t have to see the rose again.

If all of these little incidents are indeed connected, what does it mean?

Does someone want to hurt me?

Chapter Twenty-Two

Ava releasesa shaky sigh as we pass through the cemetery gates. I slide my hand under hers and bring it to my lips. Her skin is cool and smooth and carries a hint of vanilla from her favorite lotion. She’s no longer shaking, but I can sense the fear still buzzing through her.

“Thank you for calling me.” I cradle her hand on my thigh. “For trusting me.”

Her lips tremble and she wipes the corner of her eye. “I wish I didn’t need it.”

“Doesn’t mean you’re not tough, Greely. It takes a lot of courage to ask for help.”

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