Page 72 of Perfect Harmony

Grace squeezed the firefighter’s hand, and Gideon’sjealousy flared back to life when she smiled at him.

“Who are you?” Gideon was being rude, but hedidn’t care.

The firefighter looked vaguely familiar,but Gideon couldn’t place him. That pissed him off. If he meant something to Grace,then Gideon needed to know about him. He needed to do a background check and –

“Gideon, this is Jesse,” Grace said. “He’sfriends with Daniel.”

She coughed again and Jesse rubbed her backwith his free hand. “And friends with you.”

Gideon held out his hand, if only so thatthe firefighter would have to release Grace’s. Jesse shook his hand and Gideonsmiled stiffly at him. “Gideon Walker.”

“I know who you are,” Jesse said. “It’sgood to meet you, Sheriff.”

Gideon’s skin prickled when Jesse dropped hishand and immediately took Grace’s again. “Think about what I said, Gracie. Ireally don’t mind.”

“I appreciate the offer, Jesse, but I cancall Kira.”

“I have a spare room,” Jesse said. “Youcan use it for as long as you need.”

“She’s staying with me,” Gideon said.

He waited for Grace to argue but either shewas too exhausted to argue, or she really didn’t want to stay at Jesse’s place.Either way, there was no way in hell he was letting Grace go to the firefighter’shouse. Gideon would throw her over his shoulder and carry her off cavemanstyle before he let that fucking happen.

“Is that what you want, Grace?” Jesse was eyeingGideon like he knew exactly what Gideon was planning.

Grace hesitated and Gideon said, “You’re stayingwith me, Grace.”

“She’s a grown woman. She can make her owndecision about what she needs tonight,” Jesse said.

“I’ve known Grace since she was six yearsold,” Gideon said.

“What’s that have to do with letting hermake her own decisions?” Jesse said. “If she wants to stay at my place, then-”

“She’s not staying with you,” Gideon said.

“Like I said,” Jesse’s smile set Gideon’sbrain on fire, “she can make her own decision. You gonna be a man about itwhen she chooses me?”

“Chooses you?” Gideon glared at him. “Theday she chooses you over me is -”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Gracie dropped Jesse’shand and slid off the back of the ambulance. “Sorry to interrupt your ‘this ismy woman’ territorial pissing match, but I’ve had a pretty bad fucking nightand I don’t feel like watching the two of you piss all over each other’s shoes.”

She turned to face the paramedic in the ambulance.“Can I go?”

The paramedic studied her. “You still feelinglightheaded or short of breath?”

“No,” Grace said. “I feel fine.”

“Then you’re free to go.”

She unwrapped the blanket from her body andtossed it into the back of the ambulance. She was wearing Gideon’s shirt and heglared at Jesse when the firefighter’s gaze dropped to Gracie’s braless chest forthe briefest of moments.

Gideon took off his jacket, but Grace wasalready shoving past him. She marched toward the far end of the parking lot.Jesse started to follow her, and Gideon grinned smugly at him when Grace saidover her shoulder. “I’m not staying with you, Jesse. Don’t follow me.”

The smile dropped from Gideon’s face when Gracesaid, “Don’t you follow me either, Gideon Walker.”

Jesse turned and walked away. Gideon waiteda few seconds before walking after Grace.

“I said don’t follow me!” She turned andglared at him, brandishing her phone at him like a weapon as her body trembled withcold. “Leave me alone.”

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