Page 6 of Dark Terror
“But you’d feel better if someone was here with you.”
She inhaled a deep breath, letting it out on a sigh. “Yeah, but I feel like such a wimp admitting that.”
“Cara, you’ve been very brave through all of this. You’re allowed to worry about your safety. My cousin runs Hope House, a shelter for abused women. She’s trained in self-defense and is licensed to carry. Doni can hit the bull’s-eye on a target every single time. You’ll be in capable hands.”
“I don’t want to impose.”
“Nonsense.” He stood when the doorbell rang. “I’ll let her in.” Cricket raced to the door ahead of him, and he scooped the little dog up to keep him from running out.
“I see you made a new friend,” Doni said, eyeing the dog.
“Not mine, believe me. Thanks for coming.” He gave her a hug. His cousin was a tiny thing and often underestimated, both by the women she sheltered and the men she protected them from. He’d spoken the truth when he’d told Cara that Doni was capable of keeping her safe. So far, thank goodness, his cousin had never had to use the gun that was always strapped to her body.
“What’s in the bag?” He bet himself that she had brought goodies and he wouldn’t be invited to stay, even though she knew he had a sweet tooth. Sharing treats was one of her ways of bonding with her ladies. Interestingly it always worked.
“Salted caramel ice cream, brownies, and wine. And no, you can’t stay, but I brought you a brownie go-bag.”
“You’re my favorite cousin.” Cricket stretched his neck toward the bag, his nose sniffing like a bloodhound on the scent. Gabe put the dog down, and he parked his butt on the floor in front of Doni, his hopeful gaze focused on her.
Doni snorted. “You’re too easily bribed, Gabe.” She pulled out a small paper bag, handing it to him, following that with a thermos. “Now introduce me, then off with you.”
“Thanks.” She knew he’d be spending the night outside Cara’s house, and he appreciated the coffee.
He put his arm around Doni’s shoulders. “Cara, this is Doni Gorman, my cousin. Doni, Cara Jenner.”
Cara stood, holding out her hand. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m sorry for disrupting your evening.”
“Oh, hon.” Doni set the grocery bag she held on the coffee table. “After the night you’ve had, a hug is in order.”
Meeting Cara’s gaze over his cousin’s shoulder, Gabe smiled, long used to his cousin’s ability to put frightened women at ease. At seeing Cricket on his hind legs, sniffing at the bag, he decided he’d better make a quick trip to the grocery store. He took out his wallet, removing a business card.
“Doni has my number, but you should have it, too,” he said, handing the card to Cara. “That’s my cell. Call me anytime, night or day, if something doesn’t feel right. I’m going to run to the grocery store and pick up some dog food, so I’ll be back shortly to drop it off.”
“Oh, that would be great.” Cara walked him to the door. She glanced back at Doni before turning back to him. “I don’t feel right putting her in danger.”
Without thinking, he reached up and brushed a few strands of hair away from her cheek. They both froze when he touched her, and as he stared into those brown eyes with the gold flecks, something shifted inside him. A longing for something he couldn’t name. He tore his gaze away and opened the door.
“If anything, anyone who tries to mess with you will be the one in danger. Lock up behind me.”
He fled, doing his best to outrun whatever the hell it was going on in his head.
Chapter Three
Cara groaned when the alarm blared. She pried one eye open and then the other. What day was it? The aroma of coffee reaching her had her frowning. When she heard a dog bark, it all came back, and she wanted nothing more than to bury her head under her pillow and ignore the day awaiting her.
“No wine for a month… or at least for a week,” she muttered as she threw the covers off and headed for the bathroom. She had to admit, though, that she really liked Gabe’s cousin. They’d gorged on ice cream and brownies, following it up with too much wine. Well, she had. Doni had only sipped one glass, making it last the entire evening.
After a quick shower she dressed for work, then made her way to the kitchen. “Morning.”
Doni glanced over her shoulder. “And good morning to you. I figured you wouldn’t want much for breakfast, so I have some scrambled eggs and toast. How do you like your coffee?”
“I’ll fix it. You didn’t have to cook for me.” Cricket bounced around her feet, and she leaned over and scratched his ears.
“I like to cook. Did Gabe tell you his dad’s a chef?”
“No. We just met last night. I don’t know anything about him.” And she should keep it that way. The man was too interesting as it was.
“Yeah, his dad is an amazing chef, and his mom’s a captain on the Colorado Springs police force. Pretty cool, huh?”
