“Okay. Good idea.”
Taking the short hallway into the bedroom she hesitated at the threshold, inhaling the scent of aftershave and fresh linens. Her gaze instantly fell on the bed. Just as he’d said, the bed didn’t look like it had been slept in. The comforter they’d been given as a wedding present from Aunt Linda was neatly pulled over the bed. The numerous pillows he’d hated but she’d loved were stacked at the headboard. She smiled. She would have thought he would have thrown them out the second she walked out the door.
Placing her bag on the bed, she unzipped it but left the clothes inside.
Opening the closet, she peeked in. Steam had always been a minimalist. He had a handful of black and white T-shirts. A few long-sleeved button-downs. That’s all. She went to his dresser and opened one drawer, smoothing her fingers over the worn leather belt, a large steer buckle, and collectable coins.
At the nightstand she opened the top drawer and there she found their framed wedding picture. Tears filled her eyes. She closed it softly, shutting the door to emotions before they got the best of her.
Scanning the room, it was jam-packed full of memories. The bed was where they’d made love night after night, discussing their future—and having children.
Having children?
Her mouth dropped open.
Her knees wobbled. She felt sick.
Going to her purse, she searched through tampons, lipstick and receipts, and found the calendar. Flipping through the months, she finally found the current date and frowned. She was late for her period.
She and Steam had sex twice. Unprotected. Not once had she thought they were at risk to get pregnant.
It couldn’t happen.
They’d tried an umpteenth amount of times while they were married without getting pregnant. No way could the rabbit die now. Couldn’t happen.
Could it?
Get control of yourself!
She was overreacting and needed to concentrate on the case. Carol King deserved Lauren’s full concentration. Her period would come after she was no longer stressed.
Going back out to the kitchen, she found Steam spooning eggs on plates.
“Just in time. Have a seat.” He brought both plates to the small round table and pulled out a chair for her to sit.
Swallowing hard, she sat down, trying her best to scoop the silly thoughts from her mind, but they were stuck to every cell like glue. How could she expect to overlook her excitement? He’d been her everything. Her lover, best friend, protector, supporter…
Tears welled in her eyes and she forced them away. She refused to falter under her emotions and needed to be strong. She’d survived the heartbreak of their divorce. The attack, and she would most certainly survive whatever was happening now.
But she couldn’t survive losing Steam again.
That was the very reason why she needed to keep a shield around her heart. They were only relying on each other for comfort. Certainly, she couldn’t deny they’d always had a draw that couldn’t be ignored. Once the case was solved, they would part ways again. It was much like chocolate. It was easy to keep eating because it was so good. When the last bite was consumed then she could start counting calories. But until then, it was okay to allow herself the pleasure of eating the entire box of chocolates.
She deserved it.
Needed it.
So be it.
From across the table she looked at him. He was stabbing bits of egg and shoving them into his mouth. When he realized she wasn’t eating, he looked at her with a narrowed gaze. “Are they that bad?”
“No. They’re fine.” She forked a bite and chewed.
“Something’s wrong. Whenever something’s bothering you, lines show up on your forehead.”
“Thanks for pointing that out,” she groaned. She needed to tell him the truth. “Fine. Something is bothering me. Outside of the case.”
He dropped his fork, giving her his complete attention. “I’m all ears.”
“I feel like such an immature child saying this, but we didn’t use protection.” There, it was out on the table.
One thick brow lifted over curious eyes. “You’re not on the pill?”
“No.”
“Okay.” He picked up his fork and continued eating.
“Is that all you’re going to say?”
He used a knife to cut into the stick of butter and spread it over his toast, licking a dollop from his pinky. She quivered and looked down at her eggs. “What would you like for me to say?”
“Oh, I don’t know…maybe something outside of okay.” Why was she so uptight? It wasn’t as if there was a chance she was pregnant. Maybe the reality of the situation bothered her. They weren’t taking the necessary precautions and they were no longer two teens without a care in the world. Unprotected sex was irresponsible.
“Here’s the thing. You’re the only woman I’ve ever slept with without a condom. I’m clean—”
“And so am I.”
“Thought so. If you are pregnant, then it was meant to be. Simple. We’re old enough to take care of a kid.”
She blinked. “Simple? Meant to be? What did you put in the eggs? A crazy pill?”
He laid his fork down again. “We wanted a baby when we were married.”
“The operative word is married. We’re no longer married. A baby wouldn’t change the fact that we’re like oil and water.”
“Yeah? You think we’re oil and water? I happen to believe we’re damn good together.” He wagged his brows.
She squirmed. “Can you get your head out of the gutter for just a moment?”
“I didn’t have my head in the gutter, but since you mention it, we’re pretty good in bed too.” He smiled and she could have easily overlooked the seriousness of their discussion.
“It’s impossible to talk to you.” She stood, took her plate and scraped the contents into the trash. At the sink she scrubbed the dishes in hot, soapy water.
He leaned against the sink, crossed his arms, and looked at her. All smile disappeared from his expression. “That’s unfair. Agreeable we’re at a place where a baby could complicate things, but at the same time we slept together. I don’t regret that one bit and I don’t want you too either.”
Swallowing hard, she placed the wet plate to the side. “I don’t.”
“When I think of all the hell we’ve got going on, the chance that you’re pregnant isn’t in the same category.” He reached out, took a tendril of her hair and wrapped it around his knuckle. He let it go and like a spring it bounced against her cheek. “Eventually we’re going to have to figure things out.”
Her throat tightened. “I-I’m not ready.”
“It’s okay. But you should know I don’t plan to ever let you go again. If that means I’ll have to turn in my badge, I’ll do it again. Point blank.”
It took her a second, but she caught onto his words. “What do you mean ‘again’?”
“Did I say that?” One brow popped up.
“Yes, you did. Explain.”
“I needed a break so that I could stay with you while you were in the hospital. It turned out to be the best move because now I’m where I need to be, with the Mountain Force.” He pushed off the sink and dragged her into his arms and kissed the spunk right out of her.
Her skin became sensitive, the clothes felt like feathers caressing her.
She should be focused on the dangers around her, not wanting relief.
“Steam, I can’t believe you did that. I’m sorry.”
He rubbed the tips of their noses. “Like I said, it worked out.” When he stepped back, she groaned. He smiled. “Let’s stay focused on the case.”
“Okay.” Butterflies were tickling her insides.
“I have some more questions.”
*
“Sorry. I know I don’t have many answers.”
Steam smiled. “No apology needed.” He took out his phone, clicked on his photos and pulled up the picture Coby had sent him. “Do you recognize him?�
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“Isn’t that Beavers?”
“Yes. Why?”
“Just curious.”
She sat back in the cushion of the couch. He could practically see her thoughts processing. “Everything is such a blur inside my head.”
He nodded, not wanting to pressure her or put thoughts in her head but truth was he was hoping something might spur a clue. “There’s a connection to the dead men, the killer, and you.”
Her face paled. “That sounds horrible.”
He leaned back, rubbing his eyes. “Can you tell me everything that you remember from the night of the attack?”
“I have.”
“Yes, but tell me again.”
She played with the fringed hem of her shorts. “I was working late. I viewed the flash drive and Selma came in—”
“Selma was there?”
“Yes. I told you that.”
“No, you didn’t. And it wasn’t in the report.”
“I thought I did. We talked and then we rode the elevator together to the garage.”
He leaned forward, clasping his hands. “Where did she go?”
“We walked off the elevator and she had forgotten her phone. She went back up to grab it.”
“Hmm…”
“Don’t hmm anything, Steam. It’s Selma. There’s nothing suspicious there.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“You didn’t have to. It’s written all over your face.” Her brows scrunched.
“In the report you said the security guard, Caleb, wasn’t at his desk.” He guessed it was best to reroute the conversation, but as far as he was concerned, the idea that Selma was with Lauren prior to the attack was important.
“The detective had interviewed him. He was grabbing a cup of coffee.”
“I want to speak to him, and Selma. Alone.”
“Why alone?”
“Because you’re the victim. Now, what else do you remember?”
For the next few minutes he listened to her retell the story of that terrible night.
It took all the strength he had not to show emotion.
Chapter 12
“I’m sorry for your loss, ma’am.”
Caleb’s widow used a tissue to dab at the corner of her eyes. “He was a good man. Great husband. A wonderful father. We had plans to travel just as we’d always dreamed about doing when we were older once he retired. You know, living on a security guard’s salary wasn’t always easy, but we found a way. He was so happy when he received a large bonus for his hard work.” She sniffed back tears.
“Bonus?”
“Yes. The company he worked for gave him enough that we could plan a trip to Europe.”
“Wow. That would have been some trip. I know this is hard, but how did he die?”
“Car wreck. He was on his way home and he lost control.” She sniffed. “And you said you’re looking for the men who attacked the woman writer?”
“Yes.”
“You know, Caleb liked her. He talked about her a lot. Said it was a shame what those men did to her.”
Steam kept a blank face but on the inside he was attached to her every word. “Lauren said Caleb was very friendly.”
“He hated that he wasn’t on the job that day—”
“He wasn’t on the job?”
The woman’s gaze narrowed. “He told me he was called to another part of the building. If he’d been there he would have certainly helped that poor girl.”
“I won’t take up any more of your time, ma’am. Thank you for speaking to me.” He stood.
She walked him to the door. “God bless you, son. My prayers will be with you in finding the attackers.”
“Thank you again.”
Outside, he pulled his phone from his pocket and hit Coby’s number. He answered on the second ring. “Did you know that the security guard in Lauren’s building passed away a few days ago from a car wreck? Yeah…and get this, I just spoke to his wife and she said he had come into a sizeable amount of money. A bonus. Think you can ask if the company gave out bonuses to their security this year? Let me know.” He clicked off and headed for his Jeep.
The next person on his list…Selma.
*
The morning light flowing through the window stirred her awake, or was it something else? Grabbing a pair of shorts from her suitcase, she slid into them and settled for a messy topknot, then hurried down the hallway. She felt a feathery soft sensation at her ankle, almost jumping out of her clothes. Green eyes stared back at her.
“And just who are you?”
The fluffy white cat meowed and raced down the hall. Lauren followed, coming to a dead halt when she saw Steam’s mom standing in the kitchen.
Lauren’s breath spilled from her lips about the same time the other woman’s eyes rounded in saucers.
“Lauren?” she gasped.
“Irene?” Several awkward seconds floated by.
“I-I didn’t realize…I mean…I didn’t know anyone was here. Danny’s Jeep isn’t parked in front.” Irene came around the counter, some of her color returning to her cheeks.
Where was Steam?
The last time she saw him was last night when she went to bed leaving him on the couch.
Her stomach dropped into her bare feet.
“I come in a few times a week and clean up around here and bring a few groceries. Danny doesn’t like it, but he won’t do it for himself.” A nervous smile parted her lips.
Realizing Irene was waiting for a response, Lauren cleared her throat, needing time to come up with a good explanation as to why she was at Steam’s obviously coming out of the bedroom. “I’m having some work done on my house and Steam offered to let me stay here.” She hated lying but she couldn’t very well tell her ex mother-in-law the truth.
Irene crossed the distance, her observant eyes on Lauren. “I’m glad to see you.” The older woman pulled Lauren into her arms and hugged her. “I see you’ve met Princess.”
“Huh?” Lauren muttered against Irene’s shoulder.
“My cat, Princess. I rescued her last year. It doesn’t take the place of Missy, you remember my Shorkie, right? Anyway, she comes to visit the cabin with me. She likes rides.” Irene stepped back behind the counter. “Kumquat, my dear?”
“Kum-who?”
Laughing, Irene said, “Kumquat. It’s a fruit. I’ve been on this new diet and eating lots of fruit helps the digestive system. I brought some over a few days ago and I see Danny hasn’t touched them. Surprise, surprise. They need to be eaten. I can cut them up if you’ll eat them.”
“I usually don’t eat breakfast. I do like coffee though.”
“Coming right up,” Irene was already taking a canister of coffee down from the cabinet.
“You don’t have to wait on me. I can make it.”
“Don’t be silly. You know how I love to feel needed. I’ll take a cup myself and then we can get caught up.”
While Irene fiddled with the coffee maker, Lauren looked around the room. Where did he go?
After looking closer, Lauren found a scrap of paper on the table and read, “Went to town. You’ll be safe. Watch the cameras.”
Three monitors sat on a shelf turned on. Each had different views of the cabin.
“It’s a bit daunting, isn’t it?”
Lauren accepted the cup of steaming coffee from Irene. “The cameras? I think it’s fitting for Steam.” She took a sip of the brew. “Thank you for the coffee.”
“I’m grateful he doesn’t take my key to the cabin away. He’s threatened to, but he knows I like to keep busy. Come have a seat, dear.”
Sitting at the table, Lauren felt Irene’s inquisitive gaze. “What’s wrong?”
The older woman slightly shrugged and touched her temple lightly. She wore her grey hair cut short and her eyes were pale blue like her sons. She had a bubbly, energetic personality that made everyone around her feel comfortable. “You can’t imagine how many times I’ve prayed that you’d come home.�
��
“Ire—”
“Don’t worry. I won’t pry. I’m sure my son didn’t want me to know that you were here. He likes his privacy and I try to stay outside of his business. I didn’t think this would happen, not after what he did at the chapel. But, sweetie, this pleases my heart.” She reached across the table and touched Lauren’s hand.
Although correcting Irene was on the tip of Lauren’s tongue, she couldn’t find it in herself to say the words. Rolling a finger around the rim of her cup, she cleared her throat. “This is fairly new. Nothing written in stone.”
“God answers prayers.”
Lauren shrugged. “Sometimes a person just has to forgive.” She laughed but it fizzled.
A bell dinged and Lauren looked at the monitor. Steam’s Jeep pulled up in the driveway. Thank goodness. Once the door came open, Lauren was standing and swept across the room to meet him halfway. “There you are, babe.” He looked about as shocked as his mom had earlier. “Your mom and I were just discussing how shocking it is that we’re giving us another try.”
He blinked, then understanding filled his eyes. Did she hear him growl too? He recovered quickly and snaked an arm around her waist, pulling her closer. She caught his scent and her knees wobbled. His warmth seeped into the center of her bones and her body naturally gravitated toward his comfort. “Yeah, one never knows what life will throw at us.” He winked at Lauren. “What are you doing here, ma?”
“Just dropped by with a few groceries.” His mother stood and came around the table, her hands pressed together like a girl staring into a case full of chocolates. “If I’d known that you two lovebirds were here, I wouldn’t have dared interrupt your privacy. However, since I’m here now I have a splendid idea. You two must join me for Tiffany’s wedding this evening. You haven’t seen your cousin in years, Danny, and everyone would be delighted to see you…see you both.”
Lauren felt Steam tense.
“I don’t know. We had plans.” His eyes were on Lauren. He didn’t like social gatherings any more than she did.
“Yes, we were going to…uh…play board games. Yeah…Monopoly,” Lauren chimed in.
Disappointment clouded Irene’s expression. Her hands dropped to her sides.
Secured by the Lawman (Mountain Force Book 2) Page 11