Page 80 of Lost Lake
“I’m sorry, but I have to. There’s no other choice.” He sidestepped her and charged toward the door.
“What about this?” she called after him. “What about the break-in? The violation of my private space?”
The anguish in her voice stopped his feet, his hand on the door handle. What was he doing? Bailing on the woman he’d come to love, just for a little revenge? Something the Bible warned against, and it wouldn’t bring Kenna back. Bring any peace.
Or help find Lucy.
And he certainly couldn’t leave El here on her own. Not after the break-in. Sure, she was a law enforcement officer and had proved tonight that she could handle herself, but this could’ve gone the opposite way in a flash. His time as a state trooper told him that. Bullets were fast and deadly, and stoppable only when wearing a protective vest, and that wasn’t even a certainty.
He rested his head on the cool metal door.
Please help me give up this desire for revenge. You see the big picture. I only see the little piece in front of me, and I can be prone to jump to conclusions. As if this is news to You. Let me respect El enough to wait until the time she decides we should talk to my brother.
Calmer now, he pushed off the door and strode back to her. She remained in the same place, and he rested his hands on her shoulders. “I’m sorry I let my selfish need for revenge take over. How could I even have considered leaving you? Can you forgive me?”
“Already done and forgotten.” She beamed a smile at him.
His heart took a tumble. “Not only do I want to be here for you, but I’d like you to bunk in the guest room at the inn until we catch the intruder. In fact, it would be a good idea to stay with us until we find the killer. Maybe even Lucy.”
She chewed on her lower lip. “I appreciate your offer, but I’ll be fine here.”
He must’ve frowned because she gently pressed the muscles on the sides of his mouth. “You really want me to stay there, don’t you?”
“I do, but I’ll respect your decision.”
“That means a lot to me.” She studied his face. “Since it’s important to you, I’ll stay at the inn.”
His turn to send a smile her way, but then he swept her up in a hug and held on tightly. “You and Lucy are the most important people in my life. I need to keep you safe and find Lucy.”
“Detective Lyons.” A deep male voice called out from the doorway.
“That’ll be Price.” She broke away from Gabe, her gaze shifting to the door. “In here, Price. Come in.”
He stormed their way as if intending to arrest them and stopped in front of her, his hands resting on his duty belt. His mannerisms reminded Gabe of Barney Fife from the oldAndy Griffith Showthat he used to watch with his mom when he was little. But if he was a bumbling deputy like Fife, El didn’t let on.
“Sorry, ma’am,” he said, his southern drawl stronger on the wordma’am. “Suspect’s in the wind. Got a partial on his plates and dispatch is running it now along with the make and model of the vehicle.”
“Text me the details,” El said before Gabe could ask for it. “My number’s correct on the department roster.”
“Roger that.” Price rubbed the back of his neck. “Would now be a good time to take your statement?”
Was it? Not by the looks of El’s troubled expression, but then she straightened her shoulders and nodded. “I’ll make a pot of strong coffee. Have a seat at the table, and I’ll bring it in when it’s ready.”
She started for her kitchen, open to the family room.
She was putting on a good front for the deputy. The only thing Gabe wanted her to do right now was to climb in bed at the inn and get some sleep. But it didn’t matter what he wanted. He couldn’t postpone the statement. He could help her make the coffee, though.
He trailed her into the kitchen with walnut cabinets and stainless-steel appliances. Her back to him, she was grinding fresh coffee beans, the nutty smell already saturating the air.
He glanced back to make sure Price wasn’t watching them and rested his hands on her shoulders. “Remember, I’m here if you need or want support.”
She smiled at him, this time, a genuine, glorious smile, and he could imagine a lifetime of moments together in a kitchen like this, making coffee. Not with the underlying turmoil and strife of the night, but as they went through their lives with Lucy in a house like this one.
Oh man, he’d never asked her if she would want to be a ready-made mother. That could most certainly stand in the way of their getting together. Now wasn’t the time to discuss it, but they would soon need to have that conversation.
He released her shoulders and grabbed the carafe to insert under running water. As it filled, his mind drifted to his brother. To his family. To how dysfunctional they were. In many ways, he’d had a good childhood. At least until he’d discovered their so-called occupation. That hadn’t taken long. Not that they’d told him, but elementary school classmates had been more than happy to tease him about it.
That wasn’t the kind of life he wanted for Lucy, but she would benefit greatly from having grandparents. Not his dad, for sure, but his mother was awesome. Her only downfall was enabling the family’s criminal activities and expecting him to join in.
