Page 18 of Cold as Hell

“Except there’s beer,” Gunnar says.

“Why do you think I offered?”

Gunnar and Marlon high-five. Anders laughs, and I usher Gunnar away for his interview.

CHAPTER SIX

Gunnar’s story mostly matches Anders’s. He left the Roc as soon as Lynn joined the group, and I understand that. He didn’t avoid her because she’d once hit on him. He’d made it clear to all that he was open to that, and he wouldn’t want any hard feelings if he turned down an interested party. But Lynn hadn’t taken no for an answer. While Gunnar handled it on his own, he was understandably wary around her, as if even friendly attention might be misinterpreted as a sign that he’d changed his mind.

Last night, though, despite what Anders thought, Gunnar hadn’t left right away. He’d been heading to the door, but then he’d seen Marlon and Kenny coming in. Gunnar, Marlon, and Kenny had chatted for a few minutes, and then a table of people tried to call them over, and Marlon and Kenny accepted while Gunnar went home for the night.

As promised, Dalton shows up mid-interview with my decaf coffee and cookies. Technically, my baby doc says one cup of regular coffee a day is fine, but however much I miss a solid hit of caffeine, it’s not a chance I’m comfortable taking.

I can grumble about Dalton cutting the doctor’s “on my feet” time in half, but today is the first time I’ve gone over it since the premature-delivery scare. No matter how much my doctor insists that if something does go wrong, it’ll be Mother Nature’s decision, I’d still feel as if it could have been something I did. Was a sip of champagne at New Year’s worth it? A daily cup of coffee? Regularly standing for an hour at a time? No. So I have my one decaf coffee a day, plus one hot chocolate, and after that, it’s herbal tea and water. And I get off my feet after thirty minutes.

Dalton brings extra cookies, and a coffee for himself, while pointing Gunnar in the direction of the fire and kettle and French press. Even in more laid-back Haven’s Rock, Dalton has a rep to maintain. He’s the hard-ass sheriff, Anders is the nice guy, and I get to swing between good cop and bad cop, depending on the situation.

Dalton brought extra cookies because he knows Gunnar is wary of him, and he also knows why. I told him Gunnar’s backstory, having deemed it important information. But he can’t let on he knows, because Gunnar would hate that. So Dalton walks a line here, bringing enough cookies for all but making Gunnar brew his own coffee.

When the interview’s done, Gunnar takes his leave. He may also snatch the last cookie, and Dalton may also grumble about that, but once Gunnar’s gone, Dalton only shakes his head.

“That help any?” he says.

“The interview or the cookies?”

“The interview.”

“It does. He didn’t leave as soon as Anders thought, but he did leave.”

“Before we’re presuming Kendra’s drink was dosed.”

I nod. “Speaking of dosing, I need to stop by the clinic and see whether April’s tox screen—”

“I’ll bring her to you.”

I open my mouth. Shut it.

Dalton crouches in front of me, his hands on my knees. “Remember a few years ago, when I tore a ligament slipping on the mountainside? April wanted me off that leg for two weeks, and I was abear.Also unbearable. Snapping and snarling at everyone who dared remind me to rest. Including you.”

“It was frustrating for you. We were preparing for winter, and there was a lot to be done.”

He shakes his head. “No excuse. I fell on that path. You didn’t push me. But I felt like I was being a lazy bastard, and I vented my frustration on you.” He squeezes my knees. “You’re dealing with this much better than I did, and I know that’s not because you aren’t just as frustrated. Especially now with this case.”

I sigh. “I’m taking it out on you.”

“No, you’re taking it out on yourself. You’re torn between feeling like you’re shirking your duties and knowing, if anything goes wrong after you overdid it, you’ll blame yourself, even if that had nothing to do with it.”

“It’s just…” I shift on my seat. “Lousy timing. Iwantto be off my feet. In bed if possible. Whatever it takes to protect…” I put my hands to my belly.

“You are already doing everything—over and above. Like Dr. Kapoor said, staying off your feet is just extra. But you need to let others help you, as hard as that is. It’s no imposition for April to come here and talk to you. Or, on second thought, to come to the house. I’ve done what I needed to do, and Will can handle the rest. Consider me your personal gofer. Anything you need, including rounding up witnesses, I will do.” His lips quirk. “After all, this babyishalf my fault.”

I push aside the urge to negotiate, to say that I’ll stay here, that I don’t want to feel like a queen holding court. But that’sexactly what he means. Don’t make him negotiate. Don’t make him my captor, taking away my freedom. That’s especially loaded for a man dealing with his wife.

“Can we go for a walk later?” I ask. “In the woods? While it’s warm?”

When he hesitates, I sigh and say, “I’ll take the sled.”

He smiles and leans in to kiss me. “Then we can go as far as we want. Get out of town for a while. Discuss the case if you insist. Or just be glad Kendra wasn’t hurt, know that we’re locking down as best we can, and relax.”

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