Page 30 of Wine and Research
There was soot on his shirt and smudges on his temple and cheek, making his eyes appear bluer than normal, if that were possible. When his gaze met hers and he smiled, Elle’s pulse leapt, reminding her that she was alive.
This was real, not a nightmare. Not a scene in her book, but real.
It was at that moment that Elle decided to do something she’d never done before…
Let fate direct her next step.
The decision was too much. What if she chose wrong?
Besides, fate was going to do what it wanted anyway. Made sense to just put it in charge and go with the flow.
“Hey, Elle,” Jeremy said, stopping a foot away.
The urge to barrel into him was strong and unnerving. She didn’tbarrel. Didn’t need to bask in his warmth and strength.
But, God, she so wanted to.
“How you holding up?” he asked.
The concern in his voice and those gorgeous blue eyes of his were nearly her undoing.
Squaring her shoulders, she ignored her wants and replied, “Me? I’m fine. A little tired, all of a sudden, but fine.”
“That’s the adrenaline wearing off,” Nealy said with a reassuring smile.
Jeremy nodded. “It’s normal.”
Good to know, because she felt far from normal. It felt as if she was in a fog, floundering like an idiot. She didn’t like it. With a sharp mental shake, she refocused on him. “How are you and the poor mother and her children?”
“Scott said they’re alright,” Jeremy replied. “But he’s taking them to the hospital to be safe.”
“That’s good.” She nodded. “And you? You didn’t answer.”
A smile tugged at his lips. “I’m fine. Scott cleared me. Honest. Right, Nealy?”
The woman nodded. “Yes. I made sure Scott checked him out.”
Elle liked Nealy even more.
The woman cocked her head and regarded her through a warm gaze. “Are you up to answering a few questions?”
Jeremy set a hand on Elle’s arm. “It’s just routine stuff.”
There wasn’t anything routine about his touch. It grounded her. That simple, slight contact pulled her out of that stupid fog, and just like that, clarity returned.
She nodded. “Sure.”
“Good.” He squeezed her arm before releasing her. “Archie called a few minutes ago. Your car’s ready. I have to stay here, but Nealy will take you to the garage after you give your statement.”
Again, she nodded, pushing back her disappointment. He was a cop with a job to do. She had one, too. The sooner she got back to the cabin, the quicker she could write down everything that just transpired. What she saw…what she felt. All of it.
It wouldn’t be used in a book. She just wanted to record the events that led to her giving up control of her life and start living.
And as she watched Jeremy walk away, Elle just hoped to God she wasn’t making a mistake.
***
Later that evening, Jeremy glanced at Elle’s notebook on the seat of his Jeep and hoped he wasn’t making a mistake.
