She couldn’t let fear run her life.

If Ryder had his way, he’d want her to shut down the practice and move into a spare cell at the sheriff’s department. As pleasant as it was to know he was concerned for her, she couldn’t live like that. “I’ll be careful,” she said. “It’s all any of us can do.”

He nodded. “That doesn’t mean I won’t worry.”

“And I think your worrying is sweet. It means a lot to me knowing you care. But it unsettles me a little, too. I’m not used to that.”

He covered her hands with his own. “I hope you could get used to it.”

“Maybe I can. But I need time. And I need space, too. Okay?”

He looked into her eyes. Searching for what? she wondered. He stepped back. “Okay,” he said. “I’ll walk you to your car, then I have to get back to work. I won’t rest easy until we’ve found this guy.”