Wilder brooded in his office. Last night had been a debacle. He’d slipped over the edge. Had lied. Granted, he had been emotional. Torn. Macy showing up with Renny had dragged up everything from the mission that had gone horribly wrong. The fact that Cosette had a stalker kept Meghan and her death front and center. And his feelings for Cosette had been unleashed in that song.
She nagged the mess out of him to open up and whined that he didn’t. Well, she was wrong. He did work through his feelings. Through the piano. He emptied them all out with every note.
What was he going to do about her? What would that kiss have meant? she’d asked. That was the million-dollar question. If he allowed himself to fall headlong into Cosette, he would never recover. Never have any control. She made his head dizzy already.
But that touch last night...
She’d touched him hundreds of times.
But it never felt like that.
Like her hands were meant to slide through his hair, bringing comfort and hope. And a word he refused to bring to his tongue.
In that moment with her right next to him, needing him...his heart had reached out for her. Touching his lips, he sighed. She’d pulled away and rightly so, but he didn’t expect it to power through him like a shotgun shell, buckshot spraying every artery, every muscle, shattering him.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to give her everything he had.
He couldn’t.
Instead, he’d let his frustration at himself spill into his words like ice. He regretted that. Needed to apologize. The email and video she’d been sent had taken precedence. After watching it, he’d called the police and met them at the apartment. Cosette didn’t notice anything new missing since the last break-in except for the jewelry box. Police fingerprinted the place and took a report. It was nearly three fifteen this morning when they’d made it back to CCM.
His phone rang.
Teddy.
“What’dya got for me?” he said.
“You want the bad news or the bad news?” she asked.
“Mmm...how about the bad news?”
“That’s what I thought. Jeffrey Levitts took a medical leave of absence six weeks ago. He’s not scheduled to return until July.”
Wilder’s stomach knotted.
Teddy continued. “I used my womanly ways and found out he had surgery on his rotator cuff, but the interesting news is that he’s not recuperating at home. No one has been in or out of it. I’d know because I’ve been watching.”
“Did you happen to get disoriented and find yourself where you didn’t belong?” Wilder asked.
“You know...I did.” A smile coated her words. “The guy hasn’t gotten over Cosette. There are framed pictures of her and the two of them together all over his place, and a section of his closet is empty, like her stuff was gone or he packed a bunch of clothing. All that hung in that little sparse section was a ladies’ robe and a pair of house shoes on the floor.”
Wilder’s veins ran green. Cosette never said she’d had that kind of relationship with him. He grabbed his tension ball and squeezed until it hurt. “Anything else?”
“Unfortunately, no. There is no evidence of where he might be traveling or recovering. He has one social media site, but it’s set to private. I can make some calls. Do more searching.”
Wilder basically had all he needed. “Thanks, Teddy. I’ll let you know.” He hung up as his office door opened. Evan Novak entered. Wilder had given him and Wheezer the email Cosette had been sent. If anyone could trace it, it would be Wheezer and Evan—both cyber geniuses. Evan had taken down dozens of criminal cyber rings while working with the Secret Service.
“I would like to give you good news,” he said.
“Why bother?” Wilder groused. “No one else is.”
Evan’s brow inched upward a fraction. “Remember when I was framed?”
“Five months ago? I don’t have dementia, Evan.” Wilder tossed his tension ball across the room. It smacked the wall and landed on the floor with a thud. “Sorry. I’m just...” What? It felt like someone had cranked a windup toy and turned it on inside him.
Evan grabbed the ball and tossed it to him. “Maybe squeeze on this and throw a baseball. But not at the wall. Which reminds me. Painters are finally on the east side of the house. Should be done day after tomorrow.”
Wilder smirked. “Sorry.” Guess he’d be saying that a lot in the future. “What does you being framed have to do with Cosette’s email?”
“Whoever sent that bogus text to Jody used the same software to make it look like you emailed Cosette. They must have known she’d never open an anonymous email. Also, it sent a virus to the computer, which means they have access to her information and photos—or did. I handled it.”
Wilder groaned. “I hate that software.” Would Jeffrey Levitts know about anonymous free software that could be downloaded off the internet and used to browse dark websites and hack systems? The average American wouldn’t. But if he was into dark stuff, which he probably was, then he might have found it. “Hate. It.”
“Not more than me, man.”
Someone had framed Evan for tipping off gun dealers about a sting he was in charge of, and then used it to put out a hit on him. He’d been on the run with Jody and both of them had nearly been killed.
“Probably not.” Wilder squeezed the tension ball, then laid it on the desk. “Something else is bothering me. Muffins.”
A divot formed along Evan’s brow. “Muffins?”
“Blueberry.” Wilder rubbed his chin. Cosette had called it an accident, and maybe it was, but his gut kept pressing him about it.
Cosette knocked and entered. Face all professional. Not a hint of warmth. He’d done that. Hurt her.
“Wilder’s troubled by blueberry muffins and I have an appointment with the CEO at Mill & Dunn Manufacturing. He’s beefing up security so I can’t stay and help right now.” Evan patted Cosette’s shoulder. “But even if I could, there’s no way to trace who sent the video. Sorry.”
Cosette’s nose twitched. “Thanks, anyway. If the CEO is wary of employee threats, call me. I can come out and go through files. Do a threat assessment for them.” She turned to the door. “And can I get a ride to the clinic?”
He glanced at Wilder, uncertainty in his eyes. Yes, they’d had a little rumble. Evan turned back to Cosette. “Sure.”
“I’ll take you,” Wilder said. Was she now going to try avoiding him? Not happening. He was still responsible for her safety.
Evan glanced between the two of them and landed his gaze on the tension ball. “You’re gonna need a bigger ball.” With that he shut the door, leaving them alone.
“Evan is capable of dropping me at the clinic.”
Wilder ignored her statement and studied her. There were dark circles under her eyes. She hadn’t slept last night. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. Just let someone else drive me to work.” She frowned.
“Not for that. I’m sorry about last night. For the way I acted. I wasn’t mad because you pulled away from a kiss. I’m relieved you did.” Relieved because he could keep better control now. Stay focused. Keep his secrets buried.
“Relieved?” Pursed lips and a flash of heat in her eyes met him with full force.
“I mean...” He raked a hand through his hair, only reminding himself of when Cosette had run hers through it. “You didn’t come to my apartment for that. You were frightened. I should have reacted better. Stopped playing the second I heard you come in. Let you stay the night, bunked on the couch so you could get a good night’s rest.”
“Let’s just forget it and chalk it up to emotions running high. We’re professionals. I work for you, like you said.”
Another reason to keep a distance. If things went south in a romantic relationship, he’d lose the best behavioral expert he’d ever worked with. Not to mention Cosette was about to embark on a new leg of her profession with the equine therapy. How would that work if things didn’t pan out between them? Questions that didn’t need answering. There was no them and never would be.
But there had been a her and Jeffrey.
“I heard back from Teddy.”
“And?”
He gave her the rundown on Jeffrey’s surgery and medical leave. “She found photos of the two of you.” It killed him to think about the robe and house shoes. “Did he give you back any personal belongings that you might have left over there?”
Cosette inhaled. “No...but I don’t remember leaving anything there. A coffee cup maybe. Why?”
“She found your robe still hanging in the closet and your house shoes in there, too.” He watched for a reaction.
He got one.
Cosette slammed her hands on his desk and leaned forward, fury in her eyes. The Cajun in her just came out like claws on a mad cat.
“What are you implying, Wilder Flynn?”
“I’m observing facts,” he said quietly.
Her brown eyes were like an angry bull’s. “You’re jumping to conclusions. How dare you! Those aren’t mine. Do you know me at all?” She spun and hauled it to the door, but he grabbed her arm.
“I do know you.”
Her chin jutted out. “But it never crossed your mind that those items might belong to another woman.”
“Not when he has pictures of you and him around his home. I wouldn’t think another woman would approve. I know if we were together and you had pictures of exes, I’d have a come-apart.” He tried to lighten the mood, but he missed the humorous mark.
Cosette didn’t even crack a smile. “I wouldn’t be so uncaring. But conversation over come-apart is key to relationships. I’ve had exes who operated in the latter. Too many. Too often. I’m done with that kind of relationship.”
Target marked.
Locked in.
Engaged.
Hit.
She was comparing him to everyone else and he was clearly coming up just as short as they did. Wilder had been lumped into the loser pile. Maybe she didn’t know him.
Grinding his jaw, he said, “I’ll drive you to work.”
“I’m riding with Jody. If Evan’s here, Jody’s here. I need to ride with her, Wilder.”
Fine. She needed breathing room after last night and his accusation just now, and Wilder needed some time to lick his wounds. She’d drawn blood. “Ride with Jody,” he murmured. “But before you go, you need to know that I don’t think you jump into physical relationships. I just...” What? Was so jealous he blurted out the worst? Needed to know the truth even if it shouldn’t have mattered? But she mattered to him. More than he could ever admit.
“Observed facts.” She heaved a sigh and clutched the doorknob. “Thank you, though.”
“I’ll pick you up. Text me.”
She nodded and left the room.
There wasn’t a tension ball in the world that could absorb all his feelings.
* * *
Cosette found Jody in the CCM kitchen eating a bran muffin. “Can you take me to the clinic?”
Jody paused midbite, laid her muffin down and eyed her. “You’re upset. You’ve been in the office with Wilder?”
“He said Jeffrey has photos of me in his house.” That was as disturbing as Wilder jumping to the conclusion she’d been in a physical relationship with Jeffrey. After Wilder’s glimpse of her past relationships, could she truly fault him? And while he knew she was a Christian, she hadn’t talked much about or to God lately. Doing so only reminded her that Dad had been trying to reach out to her and that she should forgive him. It was easier to ignore Him than face it.
“Did he tell you that before or after you had it out with him? Your face is telling. He does things to you.”
“Gets under my skin.”
“It’s worse lately. You’re falling for him. One day, you could be my cousin.”
After pulling out her compact, Cosette applied her lipstick and ran a clear sealer over it to keep the color from bleeding. Twelve-hour guarantee to hold. Jody continued to drill her with a glare. “Not happening.”
“You’re single. He’s single. Y’all have a lot in common. Both hardheaded, always have to be right and have the last word... You both keep secrets really well...”
Cosette cocked her head and put her hands on her hips. “Thanks. I don’t keep—”
“We’ve been friends a long time and you never confided in me about Jeffrey stalking you. I should be hurt, but I’m not. I get the need for privacy, but you never told Wilder, either. Why?”
“Fear, I guess. I’ve had a string of bad relationships. I’ve been...needy and codependent. I call my mom a textbook case. Well, I am, too. Or was. But no more. After Jeffrey, I resolved to be whole on my own. I don’t need a man.”
Jody sucked her top teeth. “You can be whole and need a particular man. I need Evan. But that doesn’t make me weak or not whole. It makes me a woman in love.”
Cosette couldn’t explain it to Jody. She was strong and independent. It wasn’t the same kind of need. “Every man I’ve ever been in a relationship with had possessive qualities. Obsessive behavior. Wilder exhibits those behaviors as well as the need for control. I can’t fall into that kind of relationship again.”
Jody folded her arms. “You’re going to compare Wilder to crazy Jeffrey Levitts and drunk-jerk Beau Chauvert and anyone in between? To your father...?”
No. And yes.
Jody leaned against the butcher-block kitchen island. “Cosette, Wilder isn’t possessive or obsessive or whatever about people. He’s that way over their safety. There’s a difference. You can’t see it, because you’ve never had it. You’re projecting, and the fact I can stand here and use that term says I spend way too much time with you.” She grinned. “As far as not belonging to anyone, I beg to differ. Belonging to someone is safety. It means someone else has their stamp of love on you and you on them. It means they have your back. They’re there for you. With you. They want what’s best for you. They’d sacrifice it all for you. I belong to Evan. Evan belongs to me. It’s not about possession or ownership.”
Cosette swallowed the lump rising in her throat.
Pointing to her, Jody said, “And if Wilder falls in love with you, you can bank on the fact it will be just like his name. Wild. It will be fierce. Relentless.” She teared up. “Like the way Jesus pursues us to make us His. You are His, Cosette. You chose Him a long time ago. He chased after you like a relentless obsession. Whether Wilder knows it or not, he’s a lot like that.” She wiped a tear and sniffed.
Cosette’s stomach tightened. She’d never had anyone obsessed with her that it hadn’t turned into destruction. “I don’t want Wilder to be obsessed with me.” Or God, for that matter. She just wanted to be left alone to take care of herself. To make her own choices. To be...happy.
Jody squeezed Cosette’s arm. “Not everything is scary in a bad way.”
“What if things go wrong between us?”
“What if they go right?”
Nothing had gone right before. She couldn’t take the chance on it all going to pot now. Cosette checked her cell phone. “I’m going to be late.” They walked to the car together.
“How much do I owe you for this couch session?” Cosette teased. Her phone rang. “My dad’s lawyer. Again.”
Jody placed her insulated cup of coffee in the holder, cranked the car engine and sped down the long driveway. Some days Cosette wondered if the woman thought she was a NASCAR driver. “I haven’t been asked for my opinion, but in all fairness, you never ask me if I want yours. How bad would it be to at least answer one phone call?”
“He murdered my mother. You tell me.” Cosette didn’t have Jody’s fairy-tale childhood.
“When I hated Evan for betraying me in the Secret Service, I hated myself, too. It was like a cancer growing inside me. I forgave him for myself. Not for him.” Jody switched lanes. “We’d never be together now if I hadn’t. And I’d be miserable. So would he.”
It wasn’t the same. Not at all. By forgiving Evan, Jody didn’t betray the person she loved most. Forgiving Dad meant betraying Mama. Deep down, truth worked to wiggle free.
Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine.
The scripture ballooned in her chest. If she truly belonged to Him, she’d have to forgive her dad, and answering the phone call was the first step, which is why she’d kept ignoring them. Lord, I just can’t. Please don’t make me. I want to be Yours. But I want to be my own person, too. I need that.
The rest of the ride in morning Atlanta traffic was consumed with talk radio and less intense conversation. Jody pulled under the portico at the clinic. “I’m done being the therapist. Now to be Jody the security specialist. Evan said Wilder is mulling over those muffins. Have you mentioned to your patient what happened?”
“No.” Cosette grabbed her purse. “She’s fragile and if I tell her I almost died from her kind gesture, it could trigger some of her insecurity we’ve worked through. Now, I’ve said more about her than I should.”
Jody handed Cosette her cell phone, from where it was lying in the console. “Is there any possible way this psycho after you could have enlisted her somehow? Even used her indirectly? The timing is weird and, like I said, Wilder is obsessive about safety. Which means if you don’t put his unrest to bed, he’s going to dig on his own. Nothing will scare that girl more than Wilder Flynn in her face.” Jody gave her the you-know-it’s-true look.
“I’ll check into it.” She’d give Kariss a call after her appointment. Cosette closed the car door and headed inside.
If she studied the same people every day or even twice a week without them noticing, she’d discover a lot about them. Their demeanor, from the way they walked to how they sat, would say much. Shy. Outgoing. Insecure. Confident. If she followed said persons and observed where they went and who they interacted with, that, too, would give her plenty of information. If she then created an opportunity to connect with them, she would be able to tell within minutes if she could manipulate them on some level.
Jeffrey had the skills to do the same. If he’d lurked outside her building, noting which patients were hers, he could gather this information. Kariss had a hard time telling someone no. If he’d handed her the box and given her some trumped up story, she would have complied. But why would Jeffrey want to kill Cosette?
She strode to her office, waved at Dr. McMillian.
“Cosette, when you get time, I want to go over a few patient files with you. No rush.” He saluted her and disappeared into his office. Head of the clinic, he was a brilliant doctor, though a bit quirky. And he saluted everyone, even his patients. She’d already informed him of the situation and he’d agreed that taking on shorter days was a good decision. Best not put him off since he’d been so kind.
After leaving his office, she entered hers and dropped her purse, now stocked with a new EpiPen. Which brought back her thoughts on Jeffrey. He knew about her nut allergies. He also knew she carried an EpiPen everywhere. He may not have tried to kill her.
Punishment.
That would be in order in his mind. For rejecting him. But not from three years ago.
Wilder.
Jeffrey must have assumed she and Wilder were a couple. They’d gone to eat. To a movie. To the reunion together.
Cosette wasn’t the only one in danger anymore.
Wilder was, too.
“Knock knock.” Roger poked his head in her office. “Crista said you were patient-free.” He entered, carrying an adorable yellow Lab.
“Is it bring-your-pet-to-work day?” Cosette asked and scratched the furry puppy’s head.
“No. It’s gift-a-pup-to-Cosette day. It was in a dog kennel on the steps when I came in. Card is to you.” He handed it to her. That’s when she noticed the red gift bow around the pup’s neck.
She opened the card, a ball of nausea growing in her stomach.
To keep you company when I can’t. It won’t be long now. I have a special surprise for you.
She didn’t want the surprise or the dog—not under these circumstances.
“Where should I put him?” Roger asked. “He looks like a Charlie. I checked. He’s a male for sure.”
Spots formed in front of her eyes. The room tilted.
Jeffrey had always told her she needed a dog—they should get a dog.
“Um...” She couldn’t think straight. This had to stop. “Just put him back in the kennel.”
Crista entered the office. “Miss LaCroix, your appointment canceled.”
“Thank you.” She’d call Malcolm back later and reschedule. Hopefully, he hadn’t canceled to set a mall or something on fire. “Roger, can you give me a ride to Sufficient Grounds?”
“Sure. We taking the dog with us?”
She shivered. “Yeah.” She couldn’t just leave him here or dump him on the side of the road. But accepting him was something she couldn’t do no matter how adorable he was. After following Roger to his silver Sonata, she waited while he put the dog in the back seat and opened the door for her. “Thanks.”
“You sure your boyfriend won’t get up in arms about me driving you somewhere? Not that I can’t hold my own, but he isn’t exactly average size.” He nervously chuckled.
Well, of course Wilder scared every living, breathing thing with a look and his sheer size. Not that he was Mr. Universe, but he was as big as the Man of Steel. And probably as impenetrable. “He’ll be fine.” Or he’d get over it. “Did you see a car or anything in the parking lot when you got here?” If she hadn’t been running late due to Jody’s kitchen talk this morning, she would have found the dog first. Jeffrey might have taken the opportunity to kidnap her after Jody dropped her off—or worse.
“Can’t say I did. You don’t know who this is from?” Roger frowned as he glanced at her.
“It didn’t say on the card.” Yes. She knew.
“You have no idea?” he asked.
“I might have an idea, but I’d rather keep it private.”
“Cosette, is everything okay? Are you and that Terminator guy you work for having some...issues?” He turned left into the business district.
“No.” Well, yes, but that was neither here nor there. “I think I have a secret admirer.” She’d leave it at that.
“Well, be careful,” he said, as he pulled in front of the coffee shop. “Secret admirers don’t stay secret for long, and they don’t like having their gifts rejected.”
That was something she knew all too well.
Roger helped her with the puppy and she hurried inside alone. Guess Roger didn’t want to chance it with Wilder.
Maybe Aurora would take the dog. She and Beckett lived outside the city on a good bit of land. The pound might put the poor little guy to sleep. That wasn’t fair to the Lab.
“Hey, Cosette...” Amy grinned, then cocked her head when she saw the dog. “I don’t think pets are allowed in here.”
“I know. Is Aurora here?”
“What are you doing here? And how did you get here?” Wilder entered the café area from the hall that led to conference rooms. Wheezer followed him.
“I have a dog.”
A blank stare was his only response.
“Another unwanted gift. It was under the portico at work.” The idea of Jeffrey leaving her a puppy... She fought a panic attack.
Wilder closed the distance between them and studied the dog. “He’s cute. Is he chipped? Leave it to the crazy to use a dog to track you.”
“He’s not coming home with me.” She studied the fur baby. “I don’t think he’s chipped.”
“I can take him,” Wilder said. “It’s not his fault a psycho is dropping dogs at your door.” He stuck his fingers inside the metal cage door and scratched the pup’s ear.
“He’s not coming home with you, either. I live with you. Sort of. This dog can’t be anywhere near me. Wheezer? You need a dog? The pound will put him down.”
“Dog shelter?” Wilder asked, as patrons scowled or smiled at the puppy, and moved past them to get in line.
“I’m at CCM more than I’m at home,” Wheezer said.
“Ain’t that the truth,” Amy retorted, but smiled. “I can take him. Our building allows pets and I’m almost done with classes. If you change your mind, you can have him back.”
“I won’t want him back. Are you sure?”
Amy opened the kennel door and lifted the puppy out. “He’s so stinkin’ cute. What do you think, Wheezer? Should I keep him?”
“I’m down with a dog,” Wheezer said and scratched the pup’s ears. “Let’s name him Mac after the computer.”
Amy rolled her eyes. “We can discuss it later. I have to work. I’ll put him in the back room. He probably needs something to eat.” She disappeared and Wheezer followed.
“Let’s sit down.” Wilder led Cosette to the table in the corner. No windows. “Did he leave a message?”
She showed him the card.
“Wilder, I have to tell you something. It is possible that Jeffrey could have used Kariss to deliver those muffins. He’s good enough that if he wanted, he could’ve befriended her and had her make them. I was going to call her but this happened. The muffins might have been punishment for being with you so much.”
“He might think we’re together.”
“We’ve been together a lot. Movies. Dinners. I know someone was watching us that night and you do, too.” She leaned forward and clasped the top of his hand. “You’re in danger. He’ll see you as an obstacle. A threat. Competition. He’ll try to eliminate you.”
Wilder placed his free hand over hers and leaned in, as well. “Try is the key word here, Cosette. Don’t worry about me. Now, explain why you didn’t text or call me to come and get you from the clinic. Why is Mr. Bow Tie your new ride? I assume that’s how you arrived. You still that mad at me?”
“Would it matter if I was?” Cosette heaved a sigh. “I trust Roger. He’s a nice guy.”
“You’re right. Maybe. But you know how I feel about bow ties.” Wilder raised a hand before she could comment. “How many more appointments do you have today?”
“One, but I think I’m going to cancel it, and if it’s an emergency they have my cell number. Dr. McMillian will be fine with it, especially after I tell him about this.”
Wilder scowled. “I don’t think it’s smart letting patients have your private number, Cosette. Can’t the office forward a message and you simply return the calls?”
“Yes, but it’s about trust.”
Wilder opened his mouth, then clammed up. “Good idea about canceling. Jeffrey’s been to the office more than I like.”
“I do need to get in touch with Kariss, though. I can call her once we get back to CCM.” She stood. “Ready?”
Wilder shifted uncomfortably in his chair and glanced at the entrance. “Sure. But Wheezer can give you a ride. Beckett’s there.”
Why couldn’t Wilder drive her? Was he putting distance between them after everything that had happened in the last twenty-four hours? “Are you still mad?”
“Mr. Wilder!” Renny raced across the café and jumped into his lap.
Ah. He was trying to get her out before Macy Moore and her niece showed up. No wonder he’d asked what she was doing here. He hadn’t planned on her wrecking his time with them. Jody said nothing was going on, but Cosette had red flags flying.
“I want hot chocolate and oatmeal cookies,” Renny said.
Macy smiled and ambled their way. In fitted jeans and a flowy white top, she could be a model. “Am I early?” She looked at Cosette. “Nice to see you again.”
“You, too.” She pretended to look for something in her purse and pulled out a pack of gum. Spearmint. Like Wilder chewed. “I should go.”
“No, stay,” Macy said. “I’ll buy you a coffee.”
“Cosette has things to take care of. Phone calls to make,” Wilder said.
He was not only trying to get rid of her, but dictating her plans. Jody had no idea what she was talking about. “You know what? I will stay. I can make that call later. What are you having? I’ll go get drinks and cookies for Renny.”
“Great!” Macy said. “Skinny vanilla latte. Light foam.”
Of course she drank skinny drinks. But skinny drinks tasted...skinny. Cosette excused herself and ignored Wilder’s expression, a mix of panic and irritation. Nobody was going to tell her what to do.
A few moments later, she returned with a tray of coffees and cookies. She sipped her chicory brew while Wilder and Macy chatted. Macy was all breezy and fun, while Wilder’s conversation felt stilted and awkward unless he was talking to Renny.
Macy’s phone rang. “Excuse me.”
“Jody said you and Macy went to school together,” Cosette said to him.
“Macy and Caley are the same age. I was in the navy when she was in eighth grade.”
“Mr. Wilder and my mama were sweethearts. Aunt Macy said so. But they didn’t get married.” Renny shoved half a cookie in her mouth. “When I grow up, I’m gonna marry Mr. Wilder.”
Wilder nearly spewed coffee across the table.
“Well, I think that’s sweet,” Cosette said and winked at Renny. If she liked being married to a big bossy-pants. Who played the piano like a dream and smelled like fresh showers and spearmint, and would drive her to the brink of insanity in every way imaginable.
Wilder cleared his throat. “Allie and I were in the same class. She was a photojournalist. Freelance.”
Had he loved her? Is that why he didn’t date? He’d never gotten over his one true love?
Hairs on Cosette’s neck prickled.
She glanced around the coffee shop.
Wilder scanned the room, obviously picking up on her fear and anxiety.
Macy returned with a sour face. “I have an issue. Mama’s appointment with the cardiologist got moved up to today. Her friend who was supposed to take her isn’t available and I’m in town so...”
Wilder glanced at Renny. “Leave her with me. I’m going to be around.”
“You sure?”
He nodded.
Macy clasped her hands and pecked Wilder’s cheek. “Renny, be good for Mr. Wilder.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She rushed from the coffee shop.
Wilder grabbed his keys. “Let’s go back to the house and I’ll show you the stable, and maybe we’ll hit the park.”
“Yay!” Renny jumped up and did a victory dance. Cosette couldn’t help but laugh. The sweet little thing was too much. They threw their cups away and Renny reached for their hands. “Can we get ice cream, too? Miss Cosette, will you come?”
“I love ice cream,” Cosette said. Should she be anywhere near a child if Jeffrey was watching? Had he gone off the rails so much he’d hurt someone innocent? Doubtful. Would he hurt Wilder? Absolutely. “But I have some things to do.”
“Oh please. With sugar on top. Pretty please.”
Between her and Wilder, Renny ought to be safe. “Okay, I’ll come.”
Wilder grinned.
But as they walked toward the SUV, the reminder that Jeffrey was out there and coming for her squashed the good feelings.
She couldn’t pretend she wasn’t in danger.