Page 114 of Hell Hath No Fury

“Well?” Emma asked.

“I’ve been thanked for my assistance and wished a safe journey home.” He wondered about the momentary chaos he’d overheard but realized it could be anything. The State Police had more on their plates than the Jones and Winslow homicides.

“They’re arresting Fran?” Emma asked.

“They’re solidifying their case against her, but yeah. It looks like they’ll be bringing her in sooner rather than later.”

Emma appeared pensive but nodded. “So, as you said, we have no reason to stick around any longer.”

“Except for Nell.”

Emma nodded again without speaking.

Matthias felt a massive knot of doubt boil up in his gut, comprised of unasked questions. He was being a coward, and it needed to stop now. “What are your plans?”

She blinked. “I—I figure I should stick around until Nell checks in at the facility tomorrow. Then I guess we head home.”

He lowered his face. “That’s not what I mean.”

“Whatdoyou mean?”

Matthias took a seat on the bed next to Emma and turned to face her. “I think you know.” The next question stuck in his throat, choking him. “Do you plan to stay in Erie?” He couldn’t bring himself to addwith me. “The campground closes in less than six weeks. You know you need to be near Nell, and she isn’t gonna want to move to Erie after what happened there.”

Emma flushed. She turned her head away from him, but not before he caught the sheen of tears gathering in her eyes. Her lips parted then closed again. She swiped a hand across her face and met his gaze. “I don’t know. Do you want me to stay in Erie?”

“Yes.” The answer slipped out without him having to think about it.

Another shimmer of tears flooded her eyes and spilled down her cheeks, but this time she smiled. “Good.” The smile was short-lived. “As for the campground closing for the winter, I was thinking of putting out feelers. I know Erie has a lot of snowbirds. I’ve heard some rent their houses out when they’re down south for the winter rather than leaving them to sit vacant.”

“That’s one option.” He battled down another lump in his throat. “Or there’s my place.”

She looked at him, clearly stunned.

He suddenly felt as if he’d made a huge overstep. He stuttered, trying to backpedal. “I—I mean—it’s an option. Rather than sleeping in your car. I—I don’t—you don’t have to?—”

Emma bent forward, her shoulders shaking. He thought she was sobbing, but when she sat up again, he saw she was laughing. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to laugh, but you look like you stepped into a trap you can’t get out of.”

He had to admit that was exactly how he felt.

“I appreciate the offer. More than you know. I haven’t been sure…” She looked away. “I know you aren’t…” She made a face, struggling to find the right words. “I know you haven’t been in a long-term relationship for a while. And by ‘long-term’, I mean more than a couple of dates.”

“Mostly one date,” he admitted sheepishly.

“That’s what I mean. You and I… we’ve been together since June. It’s August now. I’ve been bracing for you to get tired of me.”

Matthias stood and held out both hands. She took them, and he gently pulled her to her feet. “You’re right. I suck at relationships. I haven’t been in a committed one for…” Hethought back to Wendy but didn’t want to go there. Not right now. “As you said, a long while. But believe me, I am far from growing tired of you.” He cupped her damp face with one hand, leaned in, and pressed a kiss to her smiling lips. She melted against him, stirring a surge of heat.

Then her phone buzzed.

“Dammit,” he muttered as Emma pressed her face against his neck and burst into giggles.

“Someone has perfect timing,” she said. “I’ll let it go to voicemail.”

“It might be about your sister.”

She sighed and eased away from him. “I’ll check caller ID. If it’s anyone but Eric or Nell, I’m ignoring it.”

“Deal.”