But this was real. Her mind insisted on replaying stories she had heard in the news of violent stalkers. Her head whirled, seeking a reason, a person. Anything. Anyone. Something she had said, or done, must have triggered this. It was like stumbling around in the maze of her own mind, constantly coming up against a dead end.
The physician in her was conscious of the way her body was responding to an overload of anxiety. Heart pounding, chest heaving, skin clammy, eyes wide. Every time she tried to get her stress levels under control, the same thought intruded.
My boys are upstairs.
A large, warm hand closed over hers. Gratefully, she looked up into Leon’s eyes and felt her breathing begin to return to normal.
“You don’t need to worry about tonight.” His voice was soothing, taking away some of her cares even before he offered a solution. “Because I’m going to be right here on your sofa.”
When Laurie had gone, Leon did a final check of the doors and windows, making sure the house was secure. Reaching the kitchen, he double-checked the repairs he and Joe had made. Once he was certain the window was safe, he stared out into the darkness beyond his own reflection.
Earlier today, when they had eaten dinner at his house, or while the twins were tumbling on the grass with Tiny, a malignant presence had entered this pleasant family home. That person wanted to scare Flora, maybe to hurt her. Or worse. The knowledge made him feel angry and helpless. But it made him feel. Although he didn’t want her and the boys to be in danger, he was shocked at the depth of his new ability to experience emotion.
In the short space of time since he had met Flora, he had been catapulted out of the half-life in which his only close relationship had been with an oversized pup with an insatiable appetite. While this was not the way he’d have chosen to have his sensitivities restored to normality, it was incredible to feel alive again. It was also scary. Like white-water rafting while blindfolded. He had no idea where this was going, or even if it was leading anywhere.
Add in a serial killer and a stalker, who may or may not be the same person...
A bump against the back of his calves startled him and he looked down. Bungee made a sound somewhere between a meow and a growl and nudged him again. Leon bent and scooped him up. “I guess you and me both have some adjusting to do, don’t we?”
He scratched behind the cat’s ears and the room was filled with a sound similar to a helicopter preparing for take-off.
“Talking to the cat?” He looked up to see Flora leaning against the door frame. “I guess it has been quite a day.” She came closer and ran her own hand along Bungee’s back. The cat closed his eyes with an expression of ecstasy. “On the subject of animals, what’s happening with Tiny while you’re here?”
“Ah.” He smiled down at her. “I was wondering when you’d ask that.”
Although she put her hands on her hips, her own mouth curved upward in return. “Spill.”
“I want you to bear in mind that he is house-trained.”
She clapped a hand to her head. “Oh, dear Lord. This house is so small. How will we fit him in?”
“Don’t worry. I’m joking. I gave Joe Nolan the key to my place. He’s going to stop by, pick up Tiny, and take him to his favorite place.”
“The all-you-can-eat buffet?” Her smile reached parts of him that had been long frozen, warming and reviving them.
He laughed, enjoying the easy familiarity and pleased to see her looking more relaxed. “Almost. I sent a message to Steffi Delaney at the animal sanctuary and asked her to take him.”
Flora’s smooth brow furrowed. “I don’t want to disrupt your dog’s life.”
“You haven’t met Steffi, so you have no idea how much Tiny will enjoy spending time with her and the other animals. He may never come home.”
She sighed. “The truth is, I don’t feel like I’ve gotten to know anyone here in Stillwater. Since we arrived, our time has been taken up with settling into the house, work, and daycare.” Her hand flapped in a helpless gesture. “And then all of this...”
“I was born in Stillwater, and I know most of the people here, but I don’t have many friends,” Leon said. “In fact, Steffi and her husband, Bryce, are probably the only ones. Bryce helped me pick up the pieces when...when I left the army. And Steffi had a difficult time before they were married. I guess the three of us have some things in common.”
If Flora noticed his hesitation, she didn’t show it. He’d been about to say “when Karen died,” but he wasn’t ready to go there. Not yet. Even though it was the closest he’d come to talking about his wife, he still couldn’t cross that line.
“But you do have friends.”
“So do you.” Emotion gave Leon’s voice a gruff edge. “You have me.”
He saw an answering glow in Flora’s eyes. As she rose on the tips of her toes to kiss his cheek, Leon stooped to place Bungee on the floor. In the confusion, their lips met. Or maybe that was the plan all along.
He remained still, savoring the softness of her mouth on his. This was a moment he had never even dreamed of. Until now, he would have said that kissing another woman was the ultimate betrayal. Instead, his torn heart felt...easier. Not healed. He couldn’t go that far. But there wasn’t any guilt. The painful memories didn’t intrude. There was Flora. And, in that instant, she was everything.
He slid his hands up her back, drawing her closer, and she responded by pressing her body tight to his. When her lips parted, warmth flooded through him. It was a slow, sweet kiss. A long embrace in which they took the time to explore
