Page 8 of Bridge to Safety

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Her lips had tasted as sweet as they had fifteen years ago. Duke parked on the road far enough away not to draw suspicion.

He had a reason to be there but wanted to watch her for a while as she unloaded her car. The sun highlighted her amazing auburn hair with red. Those gorgeous eyes had widened when he’d squeezed her face between his fingers. The heat of her silky skin—skin he’d felt against him before—seemed to burn his fingers. The thirst for Shiloh had never been quenched. Now, it increased with seeing the pretty girl, now a beautiful woman. He wanted her more than ever.

With the last of her purchases in her hand, she reached up to close the hatchback and glanced toward the road. He didn’t bother to slide down in the seat. There was no way she could tell who sat in the white van; nor could she see the logo.

He had a right to be here. Something she’d find out soon enough. As soon as her front door closed behind her, he turned the key in the ignition and drove forward.

Chapter Four

The doorbell ranga sad, slow tune as Shiloh set her purchases on the kitchen table. She either needed a new bell or new batteries. But the doorbell wasn’t a high priority. Making the house more comfortable and not such an eyesore to the community was.

She opened the door. Her throat clogged up at the sight of Duke standing there with a toolbox.

“You called for a plumber and an electrician?” He grinned. “I’m the best.” Duke pushed past her. “Where do you want me?”

Shiloh tried to swallow, tried to speak, but nothing. She simply pointed to the back room. When he headed that way, she sagged against the wall. Her nightmare had come true. Everywhere she went, there Duke would be. She’d made a mistake coming back to Misty Hollow.

“Do you already have the washer and dryer?” He called out from the back room. “Good idea turning your old bedroom into a laundry room. You there?”

With slow steps, she followed his voice. “They’re coming today.”

“Need help with anything else when I’m finished here? I’m a jack-of-all-trades,” he said, not glancing her way.

How could he have gone from threats to genial conversation? “No, thanks.” She forced the words not to betray her fear. Never again would she show him fear.

This time he did glance over his shoulder. “Are you sure? There’s a lot of work to be done around this old place. It’s barely fit for anyone to live here. Needs a new roof. Some of the siding has dry rot, those stairs are a hazard. You need me, Shiloh.” His tone hardened.

“I already have someone helping me.” She whipped around and retrieved her phone from the table and sent Rowan a quick text to come quick and play along. He responded immediately that he’d be there right away.

“Who?”

Shiloh hadn’t heard Duke come up behind her. “Rowan Reynolds.” She turned to face him, not trusting him past a minute.

His features hardened; his eyes flashed. “The deputy? Why him?”

“He’s my friend.” She fought the urge to take a step back.

“The deputy won’t have time, Shiloh.” He shook his head, his harsh look replaced with one of pity as if she were simple-minded. “I’ll be here tomorrow to fix the roof. It’s supposed to rain in a few days.”

“No.”

“What do you mean, no?”

“You’re a busy man. I’ll handle it.” She backed up until the table stopped her retreat.

“Look. You and me need an understanding…” He glanced past her, a smile spreading across his face. “Good morning, Deputy.”

“Duke.” His gaze landed on Shiloh.

“Oh, you’re still in uniform. I’m sorry.” She quickly squeezed past Duke. “I wondered if you’d had time yet to order the new roof?”

“I planned on doing that when my shift ended.” The corner of his mouth quirked. “Since I’m here, I might as well take a walk around the house, see what else I can add to my to-do list. I’m sure Duke can work on what he came for while you show me around.”

“Sure, Deputy.” Duke spun on his heel and marched to the soon-to-be laundry room.

Shiloh clutched Rowan’s arm and dragged him outside. “I didn’t know this town only had one plumber and electrician.”

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