Page 64 of Three Rules I'd Never Break

“I’m glad you’re going over there. Lock yourself in if it makes you feel more comfortable. I have a key.”

“Thanks.”

“I’ll see you in a few hours.”

“If I’m asleep, wake me. Okay?”

“Sure thing. Gotta go.” He ended the call.

I drove to the goat farm. Boingo didn’t run out to greet me. He was probably with the other goats, sound asleep.

Once I was inside, I dropped my bag near the door and flopped on the sofa. The man had no throw pillows, so I wandered back to his room and stole a pillow off his bed.

I lay down and closed my eyes. The pillow smelled like Eli, and feeling protected, I relaxed.

* * *

I shiveredand pulled the blanket up over my shoulder. Blanket? I hadn’t grabbed a blanket. Prying my eyes open, I lifted my head.

Eli smiled. “I was going to wake you up... in a few minutes.”

“I don’t even want to think of how bad I look. I think I was drooling.” I pushed up to a sitting position and tapped the couch.

He moved next to me. “You can go back to sleep. I’m about to crawl in bed. There is a doughnut for you on the counter. And coffee, but I’m not sure if it’s still hot. I told Mom I’d pick up Sherlock this afternoon. Don’t forget that we are having dinner with my parents tonight.”

“Your mom’s birthday dinner.” I leaned my head on his shoulder. “Tell me about last night.”

He sucked in a deep breath and held it for a few heartbeats before blowing it out. “A man in Bexar County shot his ex-girlfriend. There was a manhunt, and his car was found broken down on the interstate. He made his way into town on foot and searched for a place to hide out.” Eli stroked my hair as he talked. “I texted you when they sent out word that his car had been found near our exit.”

“Did he have a gun when they found him?”

“He did, but he was arrested without anyone getting hurt. They found him in the empty space at the end of the strip mall.”

“You haven’t said ‘I told you so.’ I’m a little surprised.”

He flashed a small smile. “That would just make you mad. Then the automatic sprinklers would come on, and I don’t handle tears well.”

“Never would’ve guessed.” I snuggled closer. “You jaywalked for me.”

“I’d break a lot of rules for you, Delaney.”

I didn’t want him to break rules for me. Especially since I had no plans to break any more of my rules for him.

Some rules were not made to be broken. Those rules kept me from turning out like my mom.

Chapter 22

I’d stopped at my nearly finished house after leaving Eli’s this morning and gotten good news. The final details were going to be taken care of this weekend, and after a walkthrough on Tuesday, my house would be finished.

Excited barely described how I felt.

Maybe I’d see if I could snag a reservation at Jeffrey’s and take Eli out for a celebratory dinner.

The store stayed busy all day—even busier than normal for a Friday—and I didn’t get a chance to call.

That afternoon, Tandy wandered through the racks, humming to herself. I’d started to think she came in for book research and inspiration more than to actually shop. But I liked seeing her.

She stopped near a rack of bralettes. “Have any more trouble with creeps?”

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