Then he realized that if Hardman and Marti clicked, he’d lose his partner. Dang, and he’d just gotten used to her.
Hardman gave him a wink then bent over his own bowl.
Preacher dipped a cracker in the soup until it was nearly soggy, and then ate it in one bite. “Damn, didn’t know how hungry I was,” he said, groaning. “This is good.” The soup was savory with just a hint of spicy heat.
“I’m not gonna mind babysitting duty if this is the reward,” Marti said, dipping her spoon in her mushy-topped bowl.
Lacey returned and went straight to the stove, filled a bowl, and joined them at the table. Dagger stood to offer her his seat, since they were out of chairs.
“There are folding chairs stacked against the wall on the porch,” Preacher said. “Bring in one so you can sit, too.”
Dagger moved outside and returned with a folding chair that looked like a regular industrial chair but it was painted pink. “Woman likes pink,” he said, setting it beside Lacey who’d scooted closer to Preacher to make room for Dagger.
“How was she?” Preacher asked quietly.
“Exhausted. I helped her get into some pajamas, helped her with the bathroom—she’s not very steady on her feet.”
He nodded. “I’ll stick close, whether she wants me to or not.”
Half an hour later, everyone but Hardman was gone. Preacher cleaned up the kitchen while Hardman took a walk around outside. The house was quiet, and Preacher took his time checking the interior, looking inside every room and closet, and familiarizing himself with the layout—for security purposes, of course, but also familiarizing himself with Laura’s home. Soft colors were everywhere. But also, very few personal photos—and mostly of people and events around Dead Horse. Almost like her life had begun when she’d arrived here.
Of course, his own personal memorabilia centered around photos of his buddies in the service and the places they’d been deployed, so maybe that wasn’t so unusual. His adult life had begun when he’d joined the Army.
After letting Hardman know he was heading to bed, he let himself inside Laura’s bedroom and stripped to his underwear. Then he gently slid between the covers.
Laura didn’t move, but he could hear her soft breaths. He moved closer and rolled to his side, wanting to be close so he’d awaken if she shifted. With light shining from the bathroom, he could see the pale bandage surrounding her head. Anger burned inside him that anyone had hurt her. But why? She was just a hardworking woman, trying to keep a business running, serving her community where she could. She was good people.
Her example inspired him, made him want to do more as well, to earn the right to be in her life. Because he wanted to be there. Not just for now, either. Already, he could see himself with her, sharing a home, raising kids, growing old together. He’d never thought of those things for himself, not with a clear vision in his head of what he wanted for his future.
He wanted Laura to be his wife.
There, he’d thought it, and now that idea took root. He’d keep her safe, make sure her every need was fulfilled. Somehow, he’d show her he was the man she needed in her life.
She shifted, turning slightly toward him. Her hand reached out and landed on his hip. “I like that you’re here,” she whispered.
“I can’t think of any place I’d rather be,” he said truthfully, lifting her hand to kiss the back of her knuckles.
“Head hurts.”
“It will for a while, but tomorrow will be better.”
“You don’t have to go back home?”
“I’ll have to hit the motel for clean clothes tomorrow.”
“You should pack up. Stay here,” she murmured. “I have room.”
He smiled in the shadow. “If I move in, you’ll have trouble ever getting me to leave.”
“And why would I want that?” Her smile gleamed.
“Well, you can think about that tomorrow. Make sure it’s what you want.”
“I’ve been thinking about it since I made you that lasagna. How nice it would be to have your dinner ready for you when you came home from some hunt.”
“That long, huh? I have you beat. I’ve been thinking about what it would be like being with you all the time, loving you every night, since the first time you teased me at your shop.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. You looked as edible as your donuts.”
She squeezed his hand. “I’m almost glad I got clobbered. I never would have admitted how fast I decided I wanted you in my life.”
“Sure, you would’ve. You already did.”
“When was that? At the hospital? Was I even in my right mind?”
“Last night, when I woke you to make love to you again, you told me you wanted to do it every night, forever.”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Swear. Of course, you were in the middle of an orgasm, so I wasn’t going to hold you to it.”
She moaned. “Wish we could do that again.”
“We will. Now, sleep, baby.”
“I like it when you call me that.”
“Shhh.” He moved closer so that his body aligned with her side and placed his arm over her belly. “I’m here. Sleep.”
“You know, you’re going to have to love pink.”
His chest shook. “I already do. Every pink part of you.”
Chapter 11
With Marti watching some YouTube video on her phone and Hardman snoring on the couch, Preacher left Laura’s house and headed back to his room at the motel the following morning. No, he wasn’t going to pack up all his shit and move in, but he was bringing everything he’d need for a week. When she was back on her feet and healed, they’d have that conversation again.
He’d already been gone maybe forty-five minutes, but his phone hadn’t chimed, so he hit the agency, too.
Fig glanced up when he strode into the bullpen. “Hey there. Didn’t expect you in today.”
“I feel useless. We aren’t catching any breaks so far as leads on Laura’s attacker. Lacey and Dagger are going to hit the realtor today to see who else wanted her building, but I need something to keep me occupied. Is there anything I can do phone-wise while I’m holed up at Laura’s place?”
She passed him a folder. “I have notes about people to call to try to track down that 200k-skip, Frank Ludlow. If you can make some of these calls, it’d be a big help.” She jogged her eyebrows up and down. “So, I hear the new guy stayed at your place last night.”
He noted how she’d said “your place,” like he and Laura were already committed, and he rather liked the sound of it. “Yeah, Hardman seems okay.”
“You see how agitated Marti is around him? I think she thinks he’s cute.” She shook her head. “I almost feel sorry for that park ranger she’s been seeing.”
“Didn’t see much of a future for him anyway,” Preacher said. “She said Hardman was pretty last night.”
Fig laughed. “Damn, wish I’d been there.”
“You should stop by. Elaine’s cooking at Laura’s. She makes enough to feed an army.”