Chapter Ten

Emily stood outside her house and held hands with Nessa, wondering who’d want to break into her house. Considering most of her daily interactions were with four-legged creatures, she couldn’t think of who she might’ve pissed off. “When I find who’s responsible, I’m going to have more than a few words to share with them.”

Mabel barked in response, and she bent down, giving her dog a kiss. “I’m so sorry that I left you home and you had to witness all this nonsense.”

“Maybe it was just a random break in?” Vanessa offered.

Emily let out a snort and gave her friend a get real look. “If that’s all it was, Rick would’ve already come out with an update.”

“And why is Rick inside talking to Willy and not you?”

“Truth?”

“Always.”

“The moment I told him what was going on, a switch flipped, and Lt. Rick Blakely made himself known.” Emily stroked Mabel’s head and leaned against her friend. “Nessa, I lost him for a minute and think he got pulled back into a bunch of memories from his days on the Teams. His hands were shaking, his breath was irregular, and I believe his eyes were seeing something that wasn’t there.”

A shiver racked her body, and she knew it wasn’t because of her house being broken into, but concern for Rick. “So I’m gonna try and let him do whatever he feels is necessary, rolling back my need to control as best I can.”

Vanessa squeezed Em’s hand. “That’s some real kindness. I’m grateful he’s got you in his corner.”

“I’m always in his corner, even when I’m not.” She clasped her hands together tightly and looked up at her house. “I know so many things about Rick…the way he likes his coffee, the fact he has to sit with his back against a wall, his weird fear of clowns, and how he smells at any given point in the day. But those are old facts about the boy I grew up with. I don’t know the man he’s become and how his years as a SEAL changed him.”

“Are you ready to get to know warrior version of Rick?”

Emily nodded. “Yes, I am.” Maybe the adults they’d become would make a relationship impossible, but maybe it wouldn’t. And she was going to find out one way or another, because the string that had long tied them together was surprisingly still intact.

“I can’t think of who would break into your house,” Vanessa said. “You don’t have any known enemies, and the most valuable thing you have in your house are your grandmother’s quilts.”

“Me, either,” Emily said as she stepped forward with her dog on her heels. “But here comes Willy, so we’re about to find out.”

The sheriff took off his hat and rubbed his forehead. “All your books got dumped on the floor, and half your drawers in your room were emptied. The items that could’ve been hawked were not touched, so it leads me to believe the perpetrator was looking for something specific or wanting to send you a message.”

“I don’t have anything of interest in my house and haven’t offended anyone lately, so it doesn’t make any sense.”

Willy shoved his hat back, resting his hands on his belt. “Harlan is almost done dusting for prints, so you can go inside shortly. I’d suggest staying with Vanessa tonight or your brothers until you get a new lock on the back door.”

“She’ll be staying at the ranch until the asshole who’s responsible is locked up tight at the county jail,” Rick announced loudly as he walked out of the house.

Doing her best not to be offended by his audacity, she crossed her arms and counted slowly to five. Once she felt reasonably under control, she folded her hands together. “I appreciate the offer, but it won’t be necessary. I’ll stay at my parents’ house tonight and then get a new lock put in tomorrow.”

“Over my dead body,” Rick responded firmly.

“You listen to me, Rick, that’s not—”

“Oh, it sure the hell is!”

Not able to control her temper like she wanted, she stepped forward and then stopped when Harlan walked out of the house.

“All done, Em. You can go inside as soon as you’re ready.”

“Thank you.”

“Want me to go in with you?” Vanessa asked. “Between the two of us, we can get the place cleaned up in no time.”

“You have a full day tomorrow, so go on home.” She grabbed her friend’s hand and squeezed. “I’m not letting whoever did this have the pleasure of messing with my life or yours.”

“I’d feel better if I did something,” Vanessa responded before hugging Emily close.

“Bring some wine and pizza tomorrow night and we’ll tackle it then.”

“You sure?”

“Absolutely.” She gave Harlan a wave and then shook Willy’s hand. “Thanks for coming by. Keep me updated on what you find.”

“Call your brothers and let them know what happened. If they hear about this from someone else, they’ll never let you hear the end of it.”

“I will, don’t worry.” She gave everyone a smile and petted her dog’s head. “Y’all go home and we’ll talk tomorrow.”

“Call me for any little reason,” Vanessa said.

“Will do.” She watched her friend reluctantly get into her car and waved as she drove away. Turning, she gave Rick a nod. “You’re next. Go home, and we’ll talk soon.”

“Yeah, that’s not going to happen.” Stomping down the stairs, he took her hand. “Get a bag packed, and I’ll take you back to the ranch.”

“Apparently, you weren’t listening. I’m going over to my parents’ house tonight.”

“They’re out of town, so if that’s what you want to do, then I’ll be camping out on their couch.”

“You best quit dictating to me.” She pushed her finger into his chest and watched him step back. “Because I will not be told what to do.”

Rick dropped his shoulders and twisted his mouth together. “Em…”

“I’m not someone you can command.”

“I know. It’s just that I need to protect you.” He reached out and took her hand. “Sorry, I sometimes forget that giving people orders outside of the Navy is unacceptable.”

Emily felt some of her anger drain away. “Ask me what I need. Don’t tell me what to do.”

“Message received.”

“Good.”

“You ready to go in?”

“Not really.” She looked up at her porch and shivered.

“Will you hate it if I’m attached to your side until we figure out who’s responsible?”

“Guess it depends on how we spend our time together.” Hearing him snort, she looked up. “What? Too soon to distract myself with inappropriate comments and naughty pictures?”

“Nope, not in the least.”

“Good!” She took his hand and headed toward her front door, praying she could deal with what was on the other side.

…

Rick followed her in and hoped she could handle seeing her stuff strewn around. Hearing a gasp, he slid his hands around her waist and held her close. “If cleaning up tonight would make you feel better, then let me know.”

“Why would someone pull all my books out of the bookcase?” Covering his hands, she leaned back. “It doesn’t make any sense.”

Hating the situation with every fiber in his being, he turned her body so they were in one another’s arms. “Either they didn’t like the way you arranged it by color or they were looking for something.” Watching her bravado collapse gutted him as she stepped away and wandered around the room. When her shoulders drooped, he wanted to gather her back up and hold tight. He’d only seen her iron shield slip once before, and it was when he’d broken up with her and said they were finished. Seeing it a second time was just as hard.

“I didn’t think having someone paw through my things would make me feel so awful. I figured it was just stuff and, as long as my dog was okay, it wasn’t a big deal.”

“Willy said the neighbors heard Mabel barking like mad in front of the house and knew something was up because she hardly ever does it anymore.”

Bending down, she gave her mutt a hug. “You were very brave girl, and I’m proud that you got the job done.”

“You have any clue who’d want to go through your stuff?”

Pushing herself up, she shook her head. “No, not at all.”

“All right, let’s get your bag packed, and we can get out of here and do the cleanup tomorrow.”

“You know, it’s not necessary to babysit me. I’ll be fine at my parents’ house.”

“Em, you know if something happens to you, I won’t survive. I’m askin’ that you let me have my way on this one.”

“If I say yes, will you promise to do your best to listen and not bark any more orders?”

“I solemnly swear to only bark orders when we’re naked. Unless otherwise agreed to and specified in the SOP of our relationship.”

“What the hell is a SOP?”

“Standard operating procedure. We’re going to have to agree to terms and conditions that work for both of us, so we can spend our time kissing and not bickering.”

“Just so you know, that SOP will include me commanding you from time to time. So get your mind right and prepare yourself for following my orders.”

“I look forward to obeying whatever directives you see fit to dispense. And in light of the fact I crush every damn thing I’m tasked with, I suggest you get your mind—and body—ready, too.”

Emily tipped her chin up and then waved her hand. “I can more than handle whatever you’ve got to dish up.”

“I know.” He took a step forward and held his arms open. “Can we hug now?”

“I suppose,” she said as she pressed her body close, wrapping her arms around his waist.

Resting his chin on top of her head, he let out a long breath. “Think some ice cream and canoodling will help?”

“It sure isn’t going to hurt, and if it’ll put off me having to deal with the enormity of the situation for a bit longer, I’m all for it.”

“Then that’s our plan.” He ran his hand up and down her back and banked the frustration swirling in his gut. Better he should focus on the steps he needed to take to secure Emily and not the deep well of anger forming at having her under threat. He could more than deal with whomever thought they could threaten his woman, and the moment he determined who was responsible, he’d be doling out a big helping of justice.

One way or another.