Page 55 of Sheltered By Love

I sit back in Felicity’s chair and wonder if being home again is starting to mess with my head.

I knew it was going to be hard coming back here for the first time since we cleared out Mom and Dad’s things.

But I didn’t expect to have to sort through why I’m feeling protective not just toward the house we grew up in but toward its resident.

I spin in her chair and look at the room. Maybe it would be easier if I’d replaced the wallpaper or the curtains.

Maybe I shouldn’t have allowed a stranger to live here while I bunked on Dad’s boat.

As I wait for confirmation to come in from Jax, and I keep a watch on the street, I let my mind wander to the day I first met Felicity.

Most of it has fragmented, but what I remember was she was timid, as skittish as her rabbit, and most definitely in love with the house.

That and her references must have been enough for me. It seemed to be for Garrett.

But he was handling his own workload, and we were all trying to process what the hell had just happened.

With one phone call, I’d gone from feeling in control of my life to wondering why I left the Bay and signed up for the Marines.

I close my eyes as I search for scattered memories of when she turned up at the open house.

Right up to the moment I saw her sitting on the steps, I’d been on the phone talking to my CO, trying to figure out how much hot water I was in.

Levi had a hangover, Garrett was working on an assault case, and Jax was busy.

Felicity had called and said something about being close by and wanting to view the house.

I don’t even remember what I said to her. Everything had just been blown to pieces.

Mom and Dad were gone and by the time we got it together to list the house, she’d magically appeared.

No car. No family here. No friends. No job to come to.

Nothing except her suitcase and if I’m remembering correctly, a BS story about always wanting to live by the sea.

Everything else, from her furniture to the rabbit, she’s purchased in town.

Just like a Flatlander here for summer does.

I take a closer look at the gear she has up here. Most of it was already upstairs or scavenged from Viola’s.

She’s added a few pieces downstairs, but aside from the desk and chair I’m sitting at she’s spent no real money or time decorating.

No wonder she doesn’t have any friends other than Viola.

She doesn’t plan on sticking around long enough to need any.

Felicity

The temperature has dropped, and not just outside. When Zane comes downstairs, his expression is grim, and there’s no sign of the smirk.

“Jax will be here in an hour or so. He’ll be stationed upstairs. I’ll be inside the old boat club.”

I’m so stunned it takes a few seconds for me to understand he’s not going to be here tonight.

“Just like that? You tell me who’s coming into my house?”

A dark look crosses his face. “It’s not your—”

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