Page 39 of Delicate Escape

I stiffened at Anson’s words because I wasn’t sure I wanted to give up this house. “At least you share my vision. I’m thinking pool here.” And taking in Thea’s incredible landscaping yesterday had given me ideas. “Natural rockscape all around, and no perfect shapes, so it feels more like a pond than a pool.”

“That’ll look great. You could do a water feature that reads like a small waterfall.”

I could see it as Anson spoke. Something that made you think of a brook spilling over into a lagoon. “I like it.”

He turned back to me. “And how the hell are you going to have time for all of this? Rho said you took on a project at Thea’s, too.”

I forced my muscles to stay relaxed at the mention of her name—even though she’d crossed my mind more times than I could count. Her ridiculous overalls and that cat the size of a lion. Her incredible meal and guarded kindness.

“Hoping that doesn’t take too long,” I lied.

Anson snorted. “Sure, you are. Got a chance to win over the one woman who’s shot you down in the past decade. You’re hoping that job lasts till Christmas.”

The chuckle slipped out unbidden. “All right, I’m enjoying having a chance to get to know her.”

He studied me for a long moment. “And what have you found out?”

It didn’t surprise me that Anson was curious. He couldn’t turn off the profiler’s urge to analyze all the pieces of a person. Especially if they were mysterious in any way.

I mulled over the words I wanted to say, trying to figure out if talking about Thea was a betrayal. But I knew Anson was a vault, and I also knew that Rho had likely already talked to him about much of this. “She’s been hurt. I know that much for certain.”

Anson’s face hardened to stone. He’d seen a lot of horrible things during his time with the FBI, but he especially hated anyone who harmed women.

“I’m not sure how, but the idea of having me in her house totally tweaked her. So far, I’ve only been able to do work outside.”

Anson mulled over my words, sifting through them in his mind. “No matter what ways she’s been hurt, she’ll need control now. You have to let her lead. If she draws a boundary, do not cross it.”

I nodded. “I haven’t pushed. But I’m not sure how I can get her to trust me.”

Anson’s gaze locked with mine. “Time and letting her see the vulnerable parts of you. Then maybe she’ll be brave enough to show you the same in her.”

My truck bumpedalong the gravel road to Thea’s house. I couldn’t help but wonder if the road was privately owned or county jurisdiction. It desperately needed to be regraded. I added that to a mental list of things to look into.

As I rounded the bend, I saw a flash of dark brown hair. Thea straightened, her hand tightening around the hose she held in her hand as she watered the front yard. I knew she’d had to drag it all the way from the greenhouse to get any water.

A flicker of annoyance mixed with the frustration swirling insideme. I needed to find the source of Thea’s leak so we could get the water turned back on in her house.

She watched as I approached, but when she confirmed it was me behind the wheel, I saw a little of the tension leave her muscles. That tiny easing felt like I’d won the goddamn lotto.

As I pulled into the makeshift lot in front of her house, I saw Moose bounding after a bug in the grass. I couldn’t help but shake my head. I was sure if someone studied the creature, they’d find he was some sort of mutant crossbreed and not a cat at all.

Throwing my truck into park, I shut off the engine and grabbed the bag and drink holder next to me. I’d cursed myself for not asking what Thea liked to eat yesterday, but thanks to the turkey sandwiches, I at least knew she wasn’t a vegetarian.

Sliding out of the truck, I headed in her direction. “Garden’s looking good. Well, minus the trench I put in it.”

Those plump lips twitched. “Dirt going back in place is way easier than moving it out.”

“True enough.” I lifted the bag in my hand. “How do you feel about takeout from The Pop?”

Something flashed in Thea’s deep brown eyes. Pleasure, I realized. Then, a hesitant smile tipped the corners of her mouth. “They make the best onion rings around. I’ve tried to replicate them at home, but they’re always seriously lacking.”

“Well, I’m happy to report that I’ve got onion rings in this bag.”

Her hesitant smile turned into a full grin. “Let me just get this water shut off.”

I was about to say I’d do it for her, but Thea was already jogging in the direction of the greenhouse. So, I just made my way to the back deck where we’d eaten yesterday. As I approached, Moose eyed me warily. It was then that I saw he had a harness on, which was connected to a leash, which was clipped to a stake in the ground.

“Doesn’t trust you to roam freely, huh?”

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