Page 53 of Two Steps Ahead

“Look, I know Weston wants to protect you, and that’s very noble of him, but that doesn’t mean you need to wait at home. You have to do what’s right for you because your needs matter too, Kayleigh. Even more so with your history with your father.”

At Kayleigh’s nod, Sheila continued. “You look like the type of person who needs a relationship to be equal to feel comfortable.”

“I do.”

“Good. You aren’t a doormat, you’re a partner. You’ll need to show Weston that. You’re welcome to stay here if you want, of course. But if you feel like this isn’t where you should be, then...” She walked over to her purse and pulled out some keys. “I’ve got a car you’re more than welcome to borrow.”

Sheila was right about everything she’d said. Kayleigh needed to show Weston that she trusted him, but she trusted herself too. That she wanted to be part of the team.

“I will take you up on that. Thank you.”

Sheila grinned. “Welcome to the family.”

Chapter Sixteen

Kayleigh spent the entire drive to her house rehearsing exactly what she’d say to Weston if he complained about her showing up. She’d tell him she wasn’t going to let him turn into her father, that she was going to make her own decisions about her life, that she wasn’t the type to stay home and wait for news.

By the time she pulled into the driveway, she’d worked herself nearly into a frenzy.

She got out of the car and headed to the front door, only to find Weston already waiting for her. In the yard, Chance and a woman she didn’t recognize—who must be the notorious Maci—were fighting, though they spoke too low for her to make out what they were saying.

Turning back to Weston, Kayleigh watched him look her over, making sure she was still in one piece. She opened her mouth to start her speech when he stepped back and opened the door for her.

It was all so anticlimactic.

“Did your mom call you? You don’t seem surprised.”

He shook his head. “No, but Dad mentioned you borrowed the car. We have GPS tracking on it, so I knew you were headed this way.”

“Are you mad?”

He shrugged one shoulder. “I don’t like that you came here unprotected but, honestly, I’m a little surprised you didn’t arrive earlier.”

“I don’t want to be coddled. Smothered.”

He cupped her arms. “I know. And I respect you too much to even try. You’re strong, smart and capable.”

Hearing those words from him eased the tension she’d been carrying since the moment she’d gotten into the vehicle. Herespectedher. That meant everything.

“But,” he continued, “we also don’t want to put you in more danger by leaving you unprotected. Until this is over, we’ve got to be sure we’re working together as a team.”

“You’re right. I won’t be reckless.”

He smiled. “And I won’t coddle.”

She turned back to the door. “In your text you said there’s no danger here?”

“No danger, but it’s not pretty, Kayleigh. I’m sorry.”

Woodenly, she stepped in and froze just inside the door. “Oh my gosh.”

She’d expected to see some things on the ground and maybe some broken dishes, but it was so much worse than that. The whole house had been trashed.

She stepped farther in. There were feathers and stuffing from pillows everywhere, flour on the kitchen floor that she could see even from the front door. Picture frames had been thrown across the room and books laid open against the hardwood, their spines cracked unpleasantly, pages creased.

The whole place felt wrong, tainted. This was so much more than a mere break-in.

She felt Weston’s warmth behind her before he spoke. “You can go wherever you want. We’ve already checked the house and no one else is here. You’re safe.”

---