Page 8 of Decoding Morse

I pulled myself together and locked down my reaction to seeing her again before covering the few steps separating us. Keeping my tone professional but cordial, I said, “Hello, Mrs. Hansen. It’s a pleasure to see you again.”

“Hello, Mrs. Hansen? Like I’m a stranger? Get over here.”

She launched herself at me, enveloping me in the cocoon of her warmth. Amelia had always been a hugger, so I’d known it was coming and had braced for impact, but nothing could have prepared me for the onslaught of her scent or the way her soft, luscious curves pressed against me. The knot in my chest unraveled as fucking wildflowers bloomed and the sun broke through the springtime cloud cover.

I likely held onto her a little longer than I should have, but I couldn’t help myself. Amelia’s hugs were rainbows and unicorns level shit.

But she was in danger.

Besides, having her this close had started the launch sequence. So, I gently broke her hold, taking a step back to put space between us, and thought about baseball to abort thecountdown. I wasn’t overly interested in any sport, but baseball was so damn mind-numbing that it did the trick.

A body shuffled into the doorway beside Amelia, and a hand shot in my direction. “Hi. I’m Thia, Amelia’s roommate and best friend.”

Amelia took a step toward her friend. “Sorry. Yes. Thia, Levi is an old friend who lived with Ted and me for a time.”

According to the background check I’d run when she’d moved in with Amelia, Cynthia Renee Phillips was a military widow who owned a coffee shop by the base. Her credit was decent, and she had no tickets or arrests other than a shoplifting charge on her sealed juvenile record.

“Levi from the picture on the bookshelf?” Thia looked me up and down. “Damn. You grew up well.”

“Thia!” Amelia admonished, her cheeks turning bright red.

“What?” Thia’s eyes widened with innocence. “I mean, look at him.”

Amelia’s blush only deepened. “I’m so sorry. She has no filter.”

I didn’t know what to say to any of that, so I shook Thia’s hand. “Pleasure to meet you, ma’am.”

Her eyes narrowed at me. “Ma’am? How old do you think I am?”

I wouldn’t touch that question with a ten-foot pole, and thankfully, I didn’t have to because Amelia’s daughter saved me from responding when she squeezed between the two women, managing not to touch either, and offered neither a hug nor her hand.

“Hey, Levi.”

I smiled at Morgan. Ted had mentioned that the kid had issues with physical touch, so I didn’t move to shake her hand. She smiled gratefully at me, and I gave her a nod.

“Long time no see.” The lie rolled right off my tongue, and I pointedly did not look at the cameras I’d hidden on the exterior of the house.

“What are you doing here?” Morgan asked. Her gaze took me in like I was a science project she was about to dissect. She focused on my cut. “Are you a biker now?”

“Something like that.” Grateful for the conversation segue, I returned my attention to Amelia and added, “And I’m here because your life is in danger.”

4

Morse

AMELIA’S GAZE MET mine, and it felt like the time I’d tried to stand in a canoe. Any minute now, my legs were sure to fly out from under me, and I’d end up falling and fucking drowning in those wide hazel eyes.

Her eyebrows shot halfway up her forehead. “I’m… in danger?”

I swallowed and forced myself to focus, staring into her eyes. She’d always had a thing about eye contact and honesty, and there was no time to beat around the bush. “Yes. Someone has put a hit out on your life.”

“Come again?” Thia asked as Amelia said, “What does that mean?”

I looked back and forth between the two women, unsure where to start.

“You should probably come inside.” Amelia hooked her arm in mine, only to startle at the contact.

Had she felt the same zap of electricity I had?

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