Page 61 of Decoding Morse

“It’s not that bad.”

He frowned. “The offer stands.”

I thanked him again, even though there was no way in hell I’d take him up on it. Together, we approached my parents’ house. My teeth chattered, partially from the cold, partially from the usual trepidation of dealing with my folks. To my surprise, Morse caught my hand, lacing his fingers through mine.

“I don’t want you out of my sight while we’re here,” he said. “Okay?”

I should have told him I was a grown-ass woman who didn’t need a babysitter, but I was too busy clenching my thighs together, hoping he didn’t notice the raging lust that engulfed me every time he went all caveman on me. I was all for keeping his sexy ass in sight.

Squeezing his hand, I agreed. “Deal.”

The front door swung open, and a figure darkened the doorway, cordless phone clutched in her hand like a weapon she was proficient with. Motorcycles weren’t exactly common in the neighborhood, and the roar of Specks’ Harley likely scared the bejesus out of her.

“Can I help you?” she asked, squinting past the porch lights to see us.

Immediately recognizing our greeter, I pulled away from Morse and stepped into the light so she could see me. “Hey, Thelma.”

Surprise flickered across her features as her defensive posture relaxed. “Amelia? Is that you?”

I couldn’t blame her for not recognizing me in this getup. An answering grin tugged at the scratches on my face as I closed the distance, stepping into the embrace of the only person in this house who’d ever made me feel like I belonged. She smelled of homemade bread and spices, and I breathed her in, letting her comforting scent calm my nerves.

“The one and only. How are you?”

“Great. Wonderful. But more importantly, how are you? Two years is too long for you to stay away. And this….” Tugging at my biker vest, she released me to tsk at my road-worn appearance before scowling at my companion. “Who are you, and what have you done to my girl?”

Attempting to shield him from her undeserved wrath, I made introductions. “This is Morse, and he’s not responsible for my condition. He tried to talk me out of coming.” Repeatedly, in fact. “Morse, Thelma is my family’s housekeeper and the woman who essentially raised me.”

He stepped around me, offering his hand. “Pleasure to meet you, Thelma.”

Brave, considering the eye-daggers she tried to stab him with as she ignored his hand to gesture at my face.

“And you did not do this to her?”

“No, ma’am. I’ve never hurt a woman in my life.”

“He saved me from a dangerous situation.” I sidled back up to him, unwilling to let him face her animosity alone. “Put himself in the line of fire to protect me.”

She eyed him again, but her expression softened at the way he watched me like I was some prized possession he’d do anything to protect.

My stomach did a somersault even as my teeth clinked together from the cold.

“You’re freezing. Come in where it’s warm.” Thelma ushered us through the door and into the open marble entryway,stopping to close the door behind us. “Your parents won’t be home until late tonight. They weren’t expecting you until Thursday evening.”

I’d wanted to call ahead and warn them of our early arrival, but Morse had insisted I didn’t, just in case they’d sent the shooters we’d encountered south of Colfax. I still couldn’t believe they would ever stoop to murder, but turning our visit into a surprise had been a compromise I could live with. “Plans changed last minute.”

“They’re at a charity dinner for the new hospital wing.” She turned her attention to the phone in her hand. “I’ll call and see if they can come home early.”

“No.” I reached for the phone but stopped shy of ripping it out of her hand. “Thank you, but it’s been a long day on the road, and we need to bathe and sleep. There’s no need to interrupt their schedule until morning.” And I was in no condition to deal with them right now. If Mom saw me in this state, I’d never hear the end of it.

Thelma reluctantly agreed, lowering the phone to her side. I bent to remove my dusty boots so I wouldn’t track dirt all over the floors but stopped short when fire raced up my leg. A hiss of pain escaped from my lips, and Morse was at my side in a second, demanding to know what was wrong.

“I can’t take off my shoes.”

The admission hurt almost as much as my leg did, but instead of cringing at my weakness, he dropped to his knees and loosened the laces, easing off one boot and then the other before removing his own.

“I’ll get these cleaned for you,” Thelma said, now smiling fondly at Morse. He’d sure won her over quickly. “Your room is ready. As is Morgan’s. I was told she would be coming…?”

“She’ll be here in a few days,” I confirmed.

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