in any way. She sighed when he reached for her to pull her
against his chest into a warm hug. He kissed the top of head then nuzzled her
hair.
“There’s
no helping it now. Things happen. I know it’s still hard for you and Avril to
understand how dangerous the situation is that we are in with the drifters. I’m
glad you are able to put it from your mind at times. I hate that I have to
constantly worry about you and the rest of the family.”
“I
worry about you too,” she whispered against him.
He
tightened his arms a bit. “I know you do. And even though I hate for you to
worry about me, I cannot deny that part of me is pleased that you do so. You
and Marcus are the most important things in my life. To know that you love me
as much as I love you is all I need to get through every day.”
“I
should make some reason up to tell Wilhemina she can’t stay.”
“No.”
Ebony
leaned back and looked up into the beautiful turquoise eyes she loved so much
then frowned. “Why?”
“While
the drifters are not known to wander around during the daytime, things have
changed drastically. With their new leader, we cannot expect the norm. If we
are being watched, the simple fact that you and Avril talked to Wilhemina may
make her a target.”
“Oh
my God! I didn’t think about that. I’ve put my friend in danger.”
“Hey.”
Ashe tipped her chin up with one long finger after she rested her forehead
against his chest. “This is not your fault. The best thing we can do for your
friend now is to take her home with us. We will be able to assure her safety.”
“But
what if she won’t come now? Or what if she does and wants to leave? Damn it,
Ashe. I’d never forgive myself if something happened to her because I talked to
her.”
“It
will be okay. We’ll deal with that when and if the time comes. Don’t worry.
I’ll keep her safe.”
“I
know you will. Thank you.” She stood on tiptoe to kiss him. She loved kissing
him. When he touched her, kissed her, she felt safe. She was home.
* * * *
After
Avril got a call from Ebony saying Wilhemina’s stay wasn’t a problem, they both
went to get her things ready to go.
A
tinge of guilt swept through Wilhemina when she saw dismay mar Mr. Clark’s face
after she told him she was leaving. His deep wrinkles were testament of the
many journeys in his long life, and the frown he was bravely trying to hide at
her news was evident.
“You
come back and see me again, girlie. You’re a good one. I’ve been around a long
time, and I know a good one when I see her.” Mr. Clark’s voice held a hint of
unsteadiness that so often came with age.
“You’re
a good one yourself, Mr. Clark.” Wilhemina meant it.
Mr.
Clark might be annoying at times, but she couldn’t fault someone for being
lonely.
“Eh.
I’m an old codger, girl. All my good is worn out. All that’s left now is orneriness.”
He chuckled and promptly coughed.
She
gave him a quick hug and turned to follow Avril from the Bed and Breakfast.
“Are you sure me staying with you guys isn’t a problem for Ebony’s husband?”
Wilhemina asked.
“Nah.
He’s just funny about the security at the place. All of the guys are. Don’t
worry about it,” Avril answered.
Outside,
a black Escalade was parked at the curb. As if the vehicle wasn’t already
expensive enough, it was decked out with tinted windows, oversized tires, and
every other bell and whistle one could dream of. Either Ebony had come into
some money, or her husband was loaded. She figured it was probably the latter
since people didn’t normally make fortunes in Plainview.
When
a tall man wearing dark sunglasses stepped out of the driver’s side door and
came around to get her suitcase and bag, it took every ounce of control to keep
her mouth from gaping. This was the second time she’d seen a man that could
grace the cover of GQ in less than twenty-four hours. Holy hell, he’s a hottie . Tall, muscled,
golden-skinned, and
against his chest into a warm hug. He kissed the top of head then nuzzled her
hair.
“There’s
no helping it now. Things happen. I know it’s still hard for you and Avril to
understand how dangerous the situation is that we are in with the drifters. I’m
glad you are able to put it from your mind at times. I hate that I have to
constantly worry about you and the rest of the family.”
“I
worry about you too,” she whispered against him.
He
tightened his arms a bit. “I know you do. And even though I hate for you to
worry about me, I cannot deny that part of me is pleased that you do so. You
and Marcus are the most important things in my life. To know that you love me
as much as I love you is all I need to get through every day.”
“I
should make some reason up to tell Wilhemina she can’t stay.”
“No.”
Ebony
leaned back and looked up into the beautiful turquoise eyes she loved so much
then frowned. “Why?”
“While
the drifters are not known to wander around during the daytime, things have
changed drastically. With their new leader, we cannot expect the norm. If we
are being watched, the simple fact that you and Avril talked to Wilhemina may
make her a target.”
“Oh
my God! I didn’t think about that. I’ve put my friend in danger.”
“Hey.”
Ashe tipped her chin up with one long finger after she rested her forehead
against his chest. “This is not your fault. The best thing we can do for your
friend now is to take her home with us. We will be able to assure her safety.”
“But
what if she won’t come now? Or what if she does and wants to leave? Damn it,
Ashe. I’d never forgive myself if something happened to her because I talked to
her.”
“It
will be okay. We’ll deal with that when and if the time comes. Don’t worry.
I’ll keep her safe.”
“I
know you will. Thank you.” She stood on tiptoe to kiss him. She loved kissing
him. When he touched her, kissed her, she felt safe. She was home.
* * * *
After
Avril got a call from Ebony saying Wilhemina’s stay wasn’t a problem, they both
went to get her things ready to go.
A
tinge of guilt swept through Wilhemina when she saw dismay mar Mr. Clark’s face
after she told him she was leaving. His deep wrinkles were testament of the
many journeys in his long life, and the frown he was bravely trying to hide at
her news was evident.
“You
come back and see me again, girlie. You’re a good one. I’ve been around a long
time, and I know a good one when I see her.” Mr. Clark’s voice held a hint of
unsteadiness that so often came with age.
“You’re
a good one yourself, Mr. Clark.” Wilhemina meant it.
Mr.
Clark might be annoying at times, but she couldn’t fault someone for being
lonely.
“Eh.
I’m an old codger, girl. All my good is worn out. All that’s left now is orneriness.”
He chuckled and promptly coughed.
She
gave him a quick hug and turned to follow Avril from the Bed and Breakfast.
“Are you sure me staying with you guys isn’t a problem for Ebony’s husband?”
Wilhemina asked.
“Nah.
He’s just funny about the security at the place. All of the guys are. Don’t
worry about it,” Avril answered.
Outside,
a black Escalade was parked at the curb. As if the vehicle wasn’t already
expensive enough, it was decked out with tinted windows, oversized tires, and
every other bell and whistle one could dream of. Either Ebony had come into
some money, or her husband was loaded. She figured it was probably the latter
since people didn’t normally make fortunes in Plainview.
When
a tall man wearing dark sunglasses stepped out of the driver’s side door and
came around to get her suitcase and bag, it took every ounce of control to keep
her mouth from gaping. This was the second time she’d seen a man that could
grace the cover of GQ in less than twenty-four hours. Holy hell, he’s a hottie . Tall, muscled,
golden-skinned, and
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