Explosive Reunion. Karen Kirst

like Heath here.”

      “That’s beside the point. You’re not staying.”

      “Accept his help, sis.” Jason’s blue eyes were serious. “I’d be there if I didn’t have to work.”

      “I’ll sleep downstairs. If anyone breaches the house, I’ll know about it.”

      His goal had been to deal with the past so they could move on with their lives. But moving on wasn’t going to happen as soon as they’d hoped, not with him acting as her protector. And while spending time with him would prove a minefield of emotional traps, Tori couldn’t bring herself to face her unknown enemy alone.

      Cade placed his weapon on the kitchen counter as Tori entered the room with a pillow and an armful of blankets. Her gaze fell on the gun and the shadows in her eyes deepened. She’d swapped her breezy summer dress for a blue pajama pant set that looked like something from the fifties.

      She gestured to the military-issue sleeping bag rolled out on the linoleum. “That’s not going to be comfortable.”

      “Compared to some of the spots I’ve slept in, this is a luxury. No sand fleas or other pests. Central heat and air. Indoor plumbing.”

      She looked as if she’d like to question him, but refrained. He took the blankets from her and set them on one of the dining chairs. The day’s events were taking their toll. He’d been at the base by 0500 hours for a strenuous round of PT—a five-mile hump carrying fifty pounds of gear through the woods. The stores of adrenaline that had carried him through the explosion and shooting were depleted. Getting winged hadn’t helped matters.

      But he couldn’t sleep. Not even with two cruisers parked outside, one in the driveway and the other on the curb. Tori’s life was being threatened, and he’d do anything to ensure her safety.

      He nodded to the only photo in the room, a casual shot of a champagne-colored poodle with big amber eyes lounging on Tori’s lap. “Who’s that?”

      “Beatrice. Bee for short.”

      “After your favorite Beverly Cleary character, right?”

      “Beezus and Ramona. I still have that book.” Looking surprised he’d remembered, she picked up the frame. “I wish Bee was still around.” Sadness tinted her tone.

      “What happened?”

      “Bloat. I didn’t catch the signs fast enough.”

      “I’m sorry.” Tori had a big heart for animals. Over the years, the James family had adopted an assortment of dogs, birds and even a couple of lizards. No cats, though, because Barbara was allergic.

      Cade’s curiosity about her life in Tennessee strained to the breaking point. His mom hadn’t shared specifics, like what kind of place she’d lived in or what she’d done for fun. She certainly hadn’t mentioned that lousy excuse for an ex-boyfriend.

      “She obviously adored you. Looks like she’s smiling.”

      A bittersweet smile curved her lips. “For the short while we were together, we relished each other’s company.”

      “Will you ever get another one?”

      She replaced the frame. “I was considering it before I decided to come home. With my life in limbo, adopting doesn’t make sense right now.”

      “So you love on your customers’ pets instead.”

      “Yeah, that about sums it up.” She seemed very much alone, and he hated that. “If you don’t need anything else, I’m going to call my mom.”

      “I’m good.”

      “Good night, Cade.”

      “Good night.”

      He listened to her retreating footsteps and waited for the soft click of the upstairs door. Then he picked up the picture frame and stared at the image, his insides in turmoil. When he’d woken up that morning, he couldn’t have imagined he’d become Tori’s bodyguard by the end of the day.

      The attempts on her life had blown his original plan to bits. He’d had an idea of how things were supposed to go. He’d apologize. She’d forgive him and possibly admit she’d been wrong about some things, too. They’d discuss inane details of their post-engagement lives, shake hands and part ways with clear consciences. He’d been positive they could coexist with little interaction.

      That was before the explosion. Before a sniper shot up a diner trying to end her life. His blood ran cold each time he replayed the chaos, the stark fear in her eyes. He wouldn’t abandon her. He’d just have to keep in mind that what they’d had was over. They weren’t going to get a second chance. Tori had no real place in his life anymore.

       FIVE

      “Miss James?” Deputy Clark stood on the main porch the next morning. “There’s a woman here who says she has a delivery of cookies?”

      Peeking over his shoulder, Tori recognized the brunette waiting outside the gate. “Oh, that’s Felicia Ortiz. She has a batch of dog treats for me.”

      The deputy summoned her with a flick of his fingers and then returned to his vehicle. The other deputy had left about fifteen minutes prior, leaving Clark alone until later this afternoon. Cade had left before breakfast to go home and shower and change.

      Unwilling to leave the safety of the house, Tori waited inside the foyer. “Felicia, I forgot to tell you we’re closed today.”

      After discussing the issue with her mom last night, they’d decided it was safer for Tori and their customers to close.

      A large plastic box in her hands, Felicia entered the house and paused by the wall of paintings depicting silly dog faces. “I heard about your car. Is that why the police are here? Do they think you’re in some sort of danger?”

      Explaining her predicament to her mother had been a challenge. Tori wasn’t ready to attempt it with Felicia, someone she barely knew. “Their presence is merely a precaution. Car explosions are few and far between in Sneads Ferry. The neighbors are on edge. I figured business would be slow today.”

      “The whole town’s rattled after what happened at the diner.” Felicia’s dark eyes brimmed with incredulity. “Two major news stories in one day. Must be a record.”

      “It is unusual,” Tori agreed. Felicia didn’t appear to know about Tori’s involvement, which was a relief.

      “Will you have a problem getting a replacement vehicle?”

      “I’ve spoken to my insurance company, and they’ve offered to provide a rental until I can shop for one.”

      Car shopping wasn’t on her list of fun tasks. Not like shoe shopping. But after yesterday, she’d be grateful for a chance to do mundane chores without the threat of another attempt on her life dogging her steps.

      Leaving her half-finished coffee on the entry table, she led the way to the middle of the parlor. “What do we have today? In her email, Maria indicated she was thinking about doing some Fourth-of-July-inspired treats.”

      Felicia removed the lid, revealing an assortment of frosted shapes. “She’s going to wait until the end of the month, closer to the holiday.”

      “These are pretty. I like the strawberry ones.”

      “Maria’s schnauzer does, too. Polly stole three of them before I noticed.”

      Tori smiled. “How are Maria and the baby?”

      Their supplier for more than a year, Maria had given birth prematurely last month. Her cousin, Felicia, had stepped in to help whenever she wasn’t on duty. The Marine sergeant was polite to a fault and exuded an air of competence.

      “They’re