Page 20 of Haunted Heart
“Do you really think we need to keep doing that?”
“Yeah, babe. I’m not messing around with your safety. I’ve got warning traps and I need to make sure they haven’t been tripped. I want you to lock up after me and if someone comes to the door, you call me. If it’s not the sheriff or Jaxon don’t answer.”
After he leaves, I take a shower. Feeling feminine for the first time in years, I apply lotion and perfume before drying my hair and fluffing it with a curling brush. Staring at my reflection, I realize that I’m moving forward. I’m letting go. Hands braced on the counter, I struggle to breathe.
What am I doing? It’s too soon. Is it too soon? Am I a bad person? Am I being selfish?
I loved you, Guy. This... This is different.
You are perfect, Grace. And you are doing exactly what you are supposed to do. What I want you to do. Don’t let my memory hold you back. Remember me fondly, but it’s time for you to live your life.
I give my head a shake. Whether I’m hearing voices in my head or just losing it in general, I know Guy would want me to keep living.
Tying my robe at the waist, I cross the living room to the bookcase. Lifting the photo of Guy that I’d laid flat before, I smile at the kids in the picture. Young, right out of high school, perfectly attuned to each other as best friends who’d grown up together. We could finish each other’s sentences and always knew what the other was thinking.
He’s right. It’s time.You will always be in my heart, Guy. Always. Say Hi to Grams and Gramps for me.
CHAPTER 13
Caleb
The full moon is both a blessing and a curse. But I’ve picked up a few tricks from Preach over the years. I’ve got one more tell tripwire to check before returning to the cabin. All the others were still set. Bending down, I shine my pen light.
Damn, this one is down. Two sets of footprints. One leading from a spot deeper in the woods, a second leading away. The leaves are packed and torn as if someone was lying in wait. Glancing toward Grace’s home I realize at ground level there’s a clear view to the front of the cabin. Someone was here watching the house. After taking pictures, I head back to the cabin.
Grace is at the table, her hair piled on top her head, holding a cup of tea and studying a magazine. She’s beautiful in a silky-looking sage green night gown. Damn, was that for me?
Glancing up, she smiles. Quickly her expression dulls. “What’s wrong? What did you find?”
“It looks like someone has been watching from up the mountain. I want to call the sheriff. Grace, I think we should lethim open the keepsake box, too. It’s been bothering me that Guy moved it and didn’t tell you.”
“It’s so late.”
“It’s never too late when it comes to someone’s safety.”
She nods. “I’ll put coffee on and I think I’ve got cookies in the freezer.”
As she goes to pass me, I wrap my arm around her waist and urge her against me. Brushing her hair behind her ear I cup her cheek and nuzzle her neck. “You are so beautiful, and you smell good enough to eat. I want you, Grace. I want you so much, but I need to consider your safety first. Always first.”
Hands pressed to my chest, she goes up on her toes and meets my lips. “Thank you. They won’t be here all night.”
I watch her move around as I place the call. Clay agrees and says he’s on the way. My next call is Jaxon. By the time they arrive, she’s got coffee and cookies set out and has thankfully changed into jeans and a sweatshirt.
Arriving moments apart. I’m surprised when Spade gets out of the truck with Jaxon. He opens the back door of the truck and two huge dogs jump out. I shake my head as we greet each other.
“I brought your back up plan.” Spade smiles. “Jaxon said you needed extra protection. These are the two best trained guard dogs we have right now.”
I hear the screen clank shut as Grace walks out on the porch. “Oh, you brought the pups.”
The two dogs glance in her direction. The bigger of the two ambles over to her, circling and sniffing. Then promptly takes a position beside her and focuses on her face as if waiting for her. The other wanders the yard.
“Well, shit,” Spade murmurs.
“What?”
“Looks like Woody just found his person. Sure, hope she’s ready for a dog.”
“Spade, how is Fawn?” she calls out as she sits on the porch step, petting the moon-eyed Great Pyrenees.
