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Clint
THE SOUND OF A WALKER sliding across the floor woke me. I sat up and Penny smiled.
“Good morning, Clint. You could’ve slept in a bedroom last night.”
I shook my head. “Raegan said the same thing, but I wouldn’t have heard anything if I were in Wynnie’s room.”
“Not the bedroom I was thinking of,” she muttered as she approached the stove.
I bit back my chuckle while shaking my head.
When I was in my jeans, I threw my dress shirt on but didn’t button it. I grabbed two coffee mugs and put them next to the stove. Penny avoided my eyes, but I had patience and stared at her until she looked at me.
“What?”
“We aren’t getting back together, Penny. I appreciate that you hold hope, but you need to direct it elsewhere.”
“Plenty of people have told me not to cling to hopes, Clint. And I never listened to a damned one of them. You’re a fine man, but you’re no different. I’m not gonna listen to you tell me not to hope for the best things for my girl. And make no mistake, you are the best thing that ever happened to my Rae-of-sunshine.”
I closed my eyes as heat hit my chest. Those were really nice words, but I wished they’d come from Raegan.
After a deep breath, I opened my eyes. “Thank you, Penny. I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”
She shook her head. “Watching life pass my daughter by is what will hurt. Not holding onto the hope she comes to her damn senses.”
“Penny,” I whispered.
“Now. You still take cream with your coffee? Hate to tell you, but we don’t have that Cafe Bustello stuff you like. Your choices are a breakfast blend or this cockamamie caramel latte business Raegan picked up.”
“It’s a caramel macchiato, Mom and there’s nothing cockamamie about it,” Raegan said from the doorway.
In the middle of the night, I had missed her shapely legs in those insanely short shorts. Her nipples beaded under the bright blue t-shirt with three clouds across the chest. I ignored all of that, but the sight of her hair piled on top of her head in a messy bun made my dick twitch because I desperately wanted to yank it all down before I kissed her hard.
Dammit.
I had to stop those thoughts or the visions they brought on were going to kill me.
I faced Penny, who had a knowing smirk on her face, and said, “Breakfast blend is fine, and two creams plus one sugar works for me. Just point me in the direction of the sugar.”
“It’s right behind you. I’ll be right back,” Raegan mumbled before she hustled down the hallway.
I heard coffee being poured into mugs while I grabbed the sugar container. When I looked to Penny, she wore her lopsided smile. “I think it was something you said, Clint.”
“Right. Where do you keep the spoons?”
She pulled one out from the drawer in front of her and handed it to me. I doctored my coffee and grabbed Penny’s mug.
She gave me a look. “I could handle that.”
I bit my tongue so I wouldn’t argue. “I’m sure you could, but this morning, I’ve got it.”
Raegan came back into the kitchen. “Okay, Mom, what’s it gonna be today? There’s still some boiled eggs in the fridge, or I can poach a couple for you.”
Penny sighed. “Over easy with a side of bacon.”
Raegan gave Penny an impatient look. “You know better, Mom. Or I could put together some yogurt and granola for you... it might get you prepared for the tofu lunch Clint’s bringing you next week.”
Penny’s smile was fake. “Thanks, but no thanks, my dear. I suppose I’ll go with poached eggs if it isn’t any trouble.”
“It never is,” she said to the pan she filled with water. She glanced over her shoulder. “Clint? You want poached eggs? If I thought she’d behave, I’d offer your eggs any way you want them, but I know she’d pull a muscle trying to get your plate if I fixed fried eggs.”
I chuckled. “Be nice, Raegan. If you got any toast, I’ll take two poached eggs.”
“Bread’s in the freezer, Clint. We have rye or whole wheat because my daughter is determined for me to be healthy.”
Raegan whipped her head to Penny. “Mom! You can’t ask him to get his own toast. He’s a guest!”
I opened the freezer. “It’s not a problem, Raegan.”
“If anybody’s a guest around here, it’s you, Rae. He’s had his key for years now, and he comes by once a week, often times more. He’s an able-bodied man, and I’m sure he can operate a toaster.”
That was putting it on a little thick, and my mother was the queen at guilt trips.
“Penny. Leave her be and drink your coffee.”
She glowered at me and I raised my eyebrows at her. I felt Raegan’s eyes on me, but I focused on the bread. “You want any toast, Penny? What about you, Rae?”
Both women said no, so I put two slices down.
Fifteen minutes later, the three of us sat around the kitchen table in an awkward silence.
Raegan looked at me, looked away and looked back to me a couple of times before she finally found the courage to speak.
“I hesitate to ask this, but... do you have any pointers on how I’m gonna get the rental car back? I mean, like I told the officers, the last thing I remember is loading the last bag into the trunk, and nothing.”
Hearing her tell the cops that last night wasn’t easy and it wasn’t any easier hearing her repeat it. I exhaled slowly. “You need to tell the rental company. Didn’t you do that last night?”
Her head wobbled. “Tried. There wasn’t a live person to be found when I called the number on the website for the rental insurance.”
I squinted one eye.
She rolled her eyes. “No, Clint. I didn’t keep the rental agreement separate from the car. I already heard about that mistake from Officer Daniels last night.”
The doorbell rang before I could advise her.
Raegan pushed from the table and I pointed a finger at her. “You stay here. I’ll see who’s at the door.”
It wasn’t likely the bastards who took her yesterday would come back, but stranger shit had happened when I was on the force.
Through the sheet of glass serving as their front door, I saw Tanya with her sons in tow. Just what I didn’t need this morning.
With a smile on my face, I opened the door speaking. “This isn’t really a good time, Tanya. We appreciate your concern, but Ragean’s—”
She cocked her hip as a foot jutted out. “I’m not here for Raegan, though I’m glad she’s fine this morning. It was clear she was gonna be okay last night. We’re here for Penny. Her doctor said she could get out and about, so she has a standing date with us every Thursday morning. I drive her and the boys to the park, then we come back after,” she paused, leaned forward, and lowered her voice to a whisper, “a trip to a drive-through. Whatever Miss Penny’s feelin’ works for me and the boys. But don’t tell Raegan.”
I choked trying to prevent my laughter. When I had it under control, I nodded. “Got it. Penny’s not dressed yet, you want to come inside?”
She shook her head. “Nope. It’ll take me ten minutes before I pull the car around. Tell Penny to come out when she’s ready.”
I wandered back to the kitchen, shaking my head.
“Who was at the door?”
I grinned. “Tanya. She’s here to pick up Penny. They have a standing Thursday morning trip to the park.”
Rae’s brows furrowed. “What? Neither one of them mentioned this.”
“She probably gave it a rest with Wynnie’s death.”
Raegan looked ready to argue. I put my hand on hers and gentled my tone. “Let her go with them, Rae. It will do her good.”
Once Penny left, the look on Raegan’s face spoke volumes. She did not like me being in the house.
“Honey, I hate to break this to you, but I’m not leaving.”
Panic crossed with confusion lit her face. “Why?”
I took a deep breath. “Yesterday, you ran out alone, and didn’t make it back here of your own accord. If you think I’m leaving you alone so those fuckers can strike again, you’re crazy.”
“Clint—”
“No arguments. Take a shower, get dressed, do whatever it is you do in the mornings. When you’re ready, I’ll take you to Target, see if your car is still there. If not, we’ll figure shit out with the rental company.”
***
Raegan
IN CLINT’S SUV FOR the second time, I wondered why he was doing this.
I was grateful, but it wasn’t like I couldn’t get an Uber to Target to check on the car. Then again, I didn’t have the keys, so maybe that wouldn’t have worked out either.
I exhaled as quietly as possible.
At a red light, Clint turned to me. “What are you upset about, Rae?”
“Not upset, Clint. I’m just sorry you have to do this for me. So, thank you, by the way, for your help.”
His toffee-brown eyes gave nothing away as he stared at me. It made my stomach sink because normally I could read him, but now, it was like looking at someone I didn’t know.
“Why?” he asked.
I blinked. “Why, what?”
He turned back to the windshield as traffic started moving. “Why are you sorry I have to do something for you?”
I looked out the passenger window and sighed. “I don’t know.”
“Liar.”
My chuckle was silent. “You don’t want to be around me. So, I feel bad that my problems mean you’re forced to spend more time with me.”
From the corner of my eye I saw him bite his lower lip. A muscle worked in his cheek and I hoped he kept his thoughts to himself.
My hopes were dashed.
“Never said I don’t want to be around you.”
“Telling me I should be in New—”
Without taking his eyes from the road, he grabbed my hand in my lap. “I told you I didn’t mean that shit, Raegan.”
“Yeah, I just—”
“Stop,” he bit out. “Let’s see if your car’s anywhere to be found.”
His tone held finality to it, and I thought he’d let go of my hand. He not only continued to hold it, but he shifted our hands so he could lace his fingers with mine. When he squeezed my hand, I stared over at him. Had it not been for the quirking of his lips, I would’ve thought he ignored me.
What was this?
I faced forward and decided not to think about it. Whatever it was, it was temporary, and I couldn’t let myself get caught up in all that was Clint.
Problem was, Clint had always been a force I couldn’t resist.
That meant pulling into the Target parking lot, I was wrapped up in my mind and his voice startled me.
“Some things never change. You still park as far from the doors as you always did.”
To my total surprise, the rental car was still where I parked it, though I could see the driver-side door wasn’t fully closed.
My lips shifted to the side for a moment. “Well, I can tell you right now, that’s going to change.”
He looked at me but didn’t respond, other than gently pulling his hand from mine.
I opened my door, but Clint was out of the truck and rounding the tiny rental car.
“What are you doing, Clint?”
He had settled halfway in the car, with one long leg angled out onto the pavement. It took me a moment to see he was checking for something in the passenger seat.
“What are you looking for?”
He looked over his shoulder. “Your purse. Did you toss it on the seat like you always used to do?”
I shook my head. “I stopped doing that a long time ago.”
“Then why was the door open?”
I sighed. “The button for the trunk on the key fob wasn’t working. So, I had to open the doors to pop the trunk. Then I—”
Clint popped the trunk and strode past me. Joining him at the back of the car, he held my purse up to me.
“Thanks. I’m surprised they didn’t take my purse, though.”
His brown eyes said more than the next words out of his mouth.
“Your purse wasn’t the point, Rae.” He exhaled sharply, like he didn’t want to say anything more. “I don’t think you have any idea how fucking lucky you are to be alive right now.”
My eyes widened. “Actually, Clint, I do know.”
His eyes turned fiery. “Really? But you’re surprised your purse is in the trunk? They didn’t need whatever cash you got in your wallet because in all likelihood they had already been paid to abduct you.”
My head reared back. “How can you know that?”
He closed his eyes and sighed. When he opened them, the fire was gone. “I do shit like this for a living, Rae. I investigate things. On occasion we provide security. If a thug had come upon you and taken you, yeah. They’d have taken you in the car, and drained your wallet dry. But this isn’t that.”
I pressed my lips together as I fought off my growing fear. Everything Clint said was true, but I didn’t know what to do about it. Rather than hold eye contact with him, I rummaged through my purse for the keys.
“What are you looking for, Rae?” he asked, mocking my tone from earlier.
I glanced up at him. “My keys.”
He made a strange noise, then looked back to the trunk. “You didn’t buy any food yesterday, did you? ‘Cause that shit’ll be bad by now.”
I huffed. “No. I suppose that’s a blessing. But, now I remember I had the key ring on my finger, so I doubt they’re in there.”
He slammed the trunk shut. “Right. Well, the upside is you don’t have to report the car stolen, but you’re gonna have to report the keys lost. The other upside is that you got an older model, without the press-button ignition.” My brows furrowed, and he grinned at my confusion. “Been a helluva long time since I did this, but I get your car started, I’ll follow you back to the house.”
Clint shoved the seat all the way back and reached under the steering column. After that, his hands worked so quickly I lost track of what he was doing, but moments later the engine turned over.
“I had no idea you knew how to hotwire a car.”
He shot a sheepish smile my way. “By the time I met you, those days were well behind me, honey.”
I moved out of his way as he unfolded from the car. He grabbed my hand, guiding me toward the car. As I looked into his eyes, I again wondered what was happening here.
“I’m following you, so don’t run any yellow lights. Got it, hotshot?”
I gave a huff along with a small grin. “I would never —”
His chin dipped. “You would’ve years ago, so just don’t do it now. Okay?”
My grin fell and I nodded. “See you at Mom’s.”
***
AS I PULLED UP TO MOM’S house, it hit me I wouldn’t be able to start the car again once I turned it off, not that I knew how to turn off a hot-wired vehicle. I parked it in the street and hit the button for the trunk. Clint’s SUV pulled up behind me.
Standing in the open door of the car, I waited for Clint to get out of his vehicle.
“How do I turn the car off, Ramsey?”
A wry grin twisted his lips. “Outta the way, babe.”
In a moment, he powered off the car, stood, locked the doors but thought twice and unlocked the doors.
I gathered my bags from the trunk. As I reached up to close the lid, Clint grabbed the bags from my hand and sauntered up the walk.
“I am capable of carrying things, Clint.”
“So am I, Raegan.”
He opened the door and Mom was right there.
“See you got her car back. Everything okay?”
Clint hesitated and Mom’s blue eyes narrowed on him. “Give it to me straight, Clint.”
He walked into the house, speaking as Mom and I followed.
“We got the car back. Her purse was in the trunk, but no keys.”
From the sound of Mom’s walker, she picked up her pace behind me. “I told you to keep those keys off your fingers, Rae. Should’ve shoved ‘em in your pocket.”
I took a deep breath and let Mom’s words roll off me.
Clint stopped in the living room and looked past me at Mom. “The keys can be replaced, Penny. Better than having to deal with the car being stolen.”
Mom settled in her recliner. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“Nothing more to tell, Penny. I’ll let you two get on with your day. Raegan, walk me to the door.”
Mom scowled at both of us, and I shrugged at her as Clint moved to the hall.
I followed him down the hall, but he grabbed my hand and he yanked me into my bedroom.
“What are you—”
His hand cupped my jaw, his thumb pressing hard on my lips. My eyes widened, and like muscle memory a thrill shot through me, resulting in pebbled nipples and wetness between my legs.
He left his hand there. His face dipped forward. “You aren’t going anywhere today, Rae. And not just because you don’t know how to get that car started. Even if they bring you a new set of keys, you stay here. Am I clear?”
I nodded, which forced his thumb away from my lips. His thumb had moved, but his face came closer.
“What’s going on here?” I whispered.
Those gorgeous eyes traced my lips while his thumb did the same. “I’m not sure, but I know we have to talk tonight.”
I swallowed. “Um, you don’t need—”
He shook his head. “Don’t tell me what I need, Connelly.”
“But—”
I said no more because his hand slid, and his lips were on mine. Having spent the night here, he hadn’t been able to shave this morning; his stubble stung my skin, but I loved it. My lips parted, my tongue darted out to touch his lips and he pulled away.
He sighed. “I’ll be back. And I’ll bring barbeque.”
I scrunched my nose. “Barbeque?”
He smiled. “Yes. And you’re gonna love it.”
“If you say so. I don’t mean to be dense, but what is going on here?”
His hand at my neck squeezed. “You know what’s going on here, which is why we have to talk. Tonight.”
He dropped his hand, turned and at the door he said, “Later.”