Page 285 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

“Sure thing.”

Emily approached her house with Bob hovering by her side. It was the first time she could remember appreciating his presence.

When Emily pulledher screen door open, a teddy bear was wedged inside. It held a velvet box in its fuzzy hands. She recoiled and took two steps backward. “Bob, can I use your phone?”

He fished it out of his pocket and handed it to her.

It took three rings for Wade to pick up. “Brunner speaking.”

“Wade, it’s me.”

“I don’t recognize this number,” Wade said. “Everything okay?“

“I’m calling from my neighbor’s cell. Mine is inside.”

“Did something happen?”

“You didn’t send me a teddy bear, did you?”

“No. I didn’t.” He paused. “Whatever you do, don’t touch it. I’ll be there as fast as I can.” He disconnected the call.

“Thanks, Bob.” She handed him back his phone.

“Do you want to come inside to wait? I could get you a bottle of water.”

“I’ll wait here. He won’t be long. You can go home if you want.”

Bob didn’t leave, but instead paced nervously until Wade pulled up to her house six minutes later. She rushed over to his truck. “You arrived quickly.”

“Would you expect anything less?” He pulled her to him and kissed the top of her head. When he released her, she noticed the scowl on her neighbor’s face. Guilt ate at her insides, but it wasn’t her fault Bob wanted to be more than friends. Maybe she should’ve told him she wasn’t interested instead of letting him believe there was a chance.

“I wouldn’t have called if I hadn’t known you would come.” The honesty of her words surprised her, but she didn’t want to take them back.

A cruiser pulled up with lights flashing, and Wade strolled over to the window. “Let’s do a thorough check of the house to make sure it’s safe and take the bear into custody.”

The ridiculousness of his words hit her, and she collapsed into giggles. Bob scrutinized her and sneered in displeasure. “What’s wrong with you?”

“He said they were going to take the bear into custody.” She kept laughing until tears streamed down her face.

Bob rolled his eyes. “I think you’re hysterical. Maybe they should take you to the psych ward.” With those kind words, her neighbor stalked off leaving her standing alone.

When Wade finished chatting with the officer and ambled over to her, he took her face in his hands and swiped away her tears with his thumbs, losing all semblance of the professionalism he’d displayed moments before. “Are you all right, Em?”

She managed to calm the quaking laughter. “It struck me funny when you said you were taking the bear into custody.”

“You were laughing?” He shook his head. “I thought you were crying.”

She clung to his hands.

He pulled her close. “I will protect you. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe, you know that, right?”

She nodded against his chest. He would. She trusted him with her life, but trusting him with her heart was terrifying. That was one thing she wasn’t ready to do.

Emily satin the chair beside Wade’s desk at the state police barracks. They’d been there for what felt like hours.

“Can I go home soon?”

“You’re not going home.”

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