Page 64 of Bit's Bliss
“I’m sure you have other questions.”
I cocked my head. “Like?”
“Why an engaged woman was still a virgin?”
“I never thought about why.”
“I know you’re telling me the truth, because I also know you wouldn’t lie, but really?”
“My subconscious chose not to care why.”
“You know what’s crazy?”
I raised a brow a second time. “How much time have you got?”
She rolled her eyes, something else I chose to ignore for now.
“You and Tiernan are the same age. He looks so much older than you do.”
“There’s another thing you should know about him. The name he gave you is an alias.”
“How sad is it that none of this surprises me? What is his name?”
“We haven’t been able to positively ID him yet.”
Her eyes opened wide. “So, you’re like law enforcement?”
I smiled and shook my head. “Not even close. What I should’ve said is the people we work with—men like Decker Ashford—haven’t been able to yet.” I shut my eyes and resisted rubbing my temple. “Listen, if yousee him again, I want you to be particularly diligent about avoiding him, not engaging in conversation, and definitely do not agree to meet with him on your own.”
“Uncle Michael suggested I meet with him but have you or someone else listen in.”
I shook my head. “Not a chance. I don’t want you coming within a hundred feet of him.”
“If your intention is to scare me, it’s working.”
“I’m sorry, but in this case, I want you to err on the side of extreme caution.”
Eberly’s phone rang, and she gasped.“It’s my father.”
19
EBERLY
My hands shook as I hit the button to accept the call. “Dad?”
“Eberly, sweetheart. It’s good to hear your voice.”
“It’s good to hear your voice too. I’ve been so worried.”
“I know, and I’m so sorry, Eberly.”
“Where are you? I’ve been trying to reach you.”
“I’m sorry that I had to go away for a while, but I promise I’m trying to make things right. I need a little more time.”
“Dad, the bank is trying to take the house.” Something in my gut told me not to tell him about the injunction with it or the winery.
“I need more time, sweetheart.”
