Page 33 of Seized by the Lawman

“Is that necessary?”

“Yes. Someone could have snuck onto Shy Brooke at night and waited in the shed. Could have even been someone watching things around here. Maybe even someone you know.”

“I don’t believe that. Most of these hands have been here for years.”

“I ran a background check on each of them and nothing sticks out to me.”

“Nix, you’ve been a busy man. Don’t you think you should have mentioned this?”

“And have you argue?” He gave his head a shake. “I called the local Sheriff to see if any calls had been made regarding criminal acts by teenagers and he said no. So I’m speculating that you were the target and this wasn’t just some kid getting his rocks off with a petty crime. . The ex is always the first to be investigated in crimes like these.”

Although Nix laid out a pretty good theory, she wasn’t quite sold. No one knew her around here and as far as she saw it, she didn’t have any enemies. Brad certainly wouldn’t do this. “Stop right there.”

His brows scrunched. “Stop what?”

“Stop making me paranoid. And don’t blame Brad. He’s busy and he has no reason to come out here in the middle of nowhere and tamper with my tires or lock me in a shed.”

“Are you sure?”

“The man wants to get back with me. A reunion would be difficult if I was dead.”

“Maybe he’s the jealous kind. Does he know about me?”

“No, and you’re just paranoid.”

“Being paranoid is part of my job.”

She sighed. “Okay, but growing up, my father was always pointing out the faults of humankind to a point that I found myself thinking that shadows lurked around every corner. That’s not healthy for a child. He made me take self-defense classes every year, as if I didn’t contain the information. I knew how to shoot a gun before I was five. Sure, I can handle my way around a shotgun like any man, but you get what I’m saying, right? I get that there’s a rotten apple in every tree, but I refuse to live my life looking over my shoulder.”

His jaw worked, his face turned a shade redder, then he muttered, “Then you have a logical explanation for the lock on the shed? The slit in the tire?”

“No, I don’t.”

His gaze narrowed. “Because you know the only explanation leads to a criminal act.”

She shrugged. “What would you like me to say? Shall I buy bubble wrap and roll myself up? Should I carry a gun like Annie Oakley? Or sit in front of a monitor inside my house? Bad things happen, but I came here to live because this is where it’s peaceful.”

“I’m glad you’re taking this with a grain of salt. Remember, I know what happens out there and it’s not pretty.”

“And that’s why I’ll never marry a cop. Everything’s a disaster and he must have a dozen loaded guns in the house to even begin to lighten his paranoia. You and my dad are two peas in a pod.” Once the words were out she realized how harsh they were, and by the rigid set of his mouth and the narrowing of his angry gaze, he didn’t like what she said any more than she did.

He turned and stomped toward the barn.

“Shit,” she mumbled. She had to jog to catch up to him. “What’s wrong?”

“Not one damn thing,” he said grumpily.

Melly touched his bicep that flinched under her fingers. “Come on. I know when there’s something wrong.”

“I need a break. Is that okay?” He pulled his arm away.

Acid rose in her throat. “A break from me?” Why did this bother her? She should be glad that he was distant and cold. This would make staying away from him much easier. But in the scheme of things, was that what she really wanted? To be away from him? No, because when the accident happened, the first person she’d wanted to call had been him.

“Take it as you wish,” he griped and stormed away, rounding the barn toward his truck.

Several seconds flashed and she thought about just letting him walk, but something snapped inside her. She followed him and finally caught up to him just as he reached his truck. “We need to talk, clear the air,” she said through pants of breath. How had she gotten so out of shape?

He didn’t respond. He strolled to the driver’s door, threw it open and she swore she heard the springs pop. “Nothing to say.”

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