Page 88 of Sworn to Protect

“Thanks for lettingme extend my time,” I say to the owner of The Cabins in appreciation.

Mrs. Overly’s wide eyes blink up at me, not holding back her surprise. This is probably the most I’ve ever spoken to her.

“It’s no problem,” she finally says. Then she shakes her head as if she can’t believe she’s talking to me. “You’re a quiet one. I admit I had reservations about you in the beginning.”

“Why, Mrs. Overly, I didn’t know you cared.” I wink and back away from the counter.

She blushes as I jingle my keyring. I don’t confirm or deny her real question, though. I know her ties to the town gossip chain.

“Just leave the key on the table when you’re done.”

“Will do.”

As I trek across the lawn to my rental, my mind races. Buying a house in Naperville. Maybe it’s a mistake. Maybe it’s the only move that makes sense. Maybe it’s the only way to show Mackenzie how serious I am.

I once told her I never found that one special place to call home. But I was looking at it all wrong.

Home isn’t a location. Home is people. And I want to surround myself with Mackenzie, Liam, and Nick.

Opening the door to the rental cabin, I scan the room. The few boxes I took the time to unpack have already been repacked, taped, and stacked. My work basically consists of moving them to my new house.

My new house.

Christ.

It still hasn’t quite sunk in.

I’m carrying the last box out when two men wearing suits walk up. I recognize one immediately.

“Nate Dixon, right?”

“That would be me.”

“We met the other night at Halfway Inn’s. Detective Stubbs.”

I shut the truck bed, keeping my expression neutral. “Yeah, I remember.”

His partner, a stone-faced guy with a permanent scowl, glances at my packed boxes. “You leaving town?”

I narrow my eyes. “Is there a problem?”

Detective Stubbs gives his partner a look that saysback off.

“Can you answer some questions?” he asks, his voice calm.

I fold my arms. “Mind telling me what this is all about? Is Mackenzie okay? Are the boys?”

“It’s nothing serious.” A pause. “Just some concerns about financial discrepancies.”

My stomach tightens. So that’s what this is about.

The taillightsof the detective’s car disappear down the road, but I don’t move. My chest tightens as I replay the last twenty minutes.

I, Colonel Nathanial Dixon-Anders, was interrogated over theft.

Mackenzie thought I stole from her.

Me. A special ops doctor. A man who’s spent his life saving others.

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