“Owen is family. It’s far more personal.”
She nodded, twisting the ice pack in her hands. “Reed, Owen told me he cut through the woods to get onto the property. It’s the same place the intruder escaped on the night I was attacked. Do you think it’s possible Owen is working with someone?”
“It’s something to consider. Owen doesn’t hang out with a law-abiding crowd, and while he doesn’t have the cash to hire someone to break into your house, your iPad and Uncle Jeb’s pen may have been payment enough.” His jaw tightened. “This little stunt he pulled gives me enough probable cause to get a search warrant for his phone records. I’m also going to question his friends again. If Owen did arrange for someone to break into your home, I’ll find out.”
He wasn’t going to take Joshua off the suspect list either. Owen’s attack just now was reckless and impulsive. It was in line with his personality and fit with a pattern of addiction. However, the stalking and break-in had been planned and well orchestrated. Reed wasn’t sure Owen had the patience or discipline to pull off the criminal acts.
“How did your interview with Joshua go yesterday?” Emma asked, cutting into his thoughts.
“Joshua admitted he wanted to purchase the property, but when you refused to sell, he made an offer on another piece of land. Deputy Hendricks spoke to the other buyer—Old Man Franklin—and confirmed it.”
“Well, that’s a relief.” Emma rose from the step and smiled down at Sadie. “You might be a hero, sweetie, but you’re also still muddy.”
“You aren’t going to give this poor dog a bath after all her hard work.”
“Afraid so.” Her mouth twitched. “Wanna help?”
“Oh, no. She and I are working on becoming friends. I’m not about to mess that up by dousing her in soap and water. Besides, I have my own work to do.”
Her brow crinkled. “You do?”
“I noticed you don’t have floodlights on your house, so I went to the hardware store and picked some up.”
Reed opened the rear of his SUV and pulled out a couple sacks from the local hardware store. He set them on the grass. “It’s a bit presumptuous of me and I hope you don’t mind, but the lights will make it easier for the deputies to see the yard.”
“I don’t mind at all. I appreciate you thinking of it.” She smiled at him before patting Sadie on the head. “Come on, girl. Bath time for you.” She started to turn away.
“Uh, wait.” Reed reached out to stop her, his fingertips brushing along the soft skin of her arm. He jerked his hand back. Emma frowned, a flash of hurt crossing her pretty features.
Lord, I could really use some help here.
He didn’t want to act on his attraction to Emma, but he didn’t want an underlying tension between them either. Problem was, Reed wasn’t great at dealing with the emotional baggage in his life. His sister had always been the one to steer him in the right direction. It was times like these he missed Bonnie’s advice more than ever.
“Listen, Emma, I know things are a bit awkward between us and I don’t want them to be.” He shoved his hands in his pockets. “We’re going to run into each other, not just in town, but also professionally. It’s only a matter of time before we need you and Sadie to aid in a search. I hope...well, I hope we can be friends.”
“Reed, you saved my life. I’m pretty sure that places you on the friend list permanently.”
“Oh.” The knot in his stomach loosened. “Good, cuz I could really use another set of hands to help me hang these lights.”
She laughed. “Well, then you’re going to have to help me bathe Sadie.”
“Sorry, pup. She wrestled me into it.” Sadie barked twice, and Reed nodded. “Right you are. Two boxes of cookies.”
Emma laughed again. This time, Reed joined in, some of the weight pressing on his shoulders dropping away. He’d tackled one problem.
Now, he just needed to figure out who was stalking Emma and why.
Lily banged her tiny fists on her high chair tray and babbled.
“Hold on, little one.” Emma snagged a slice of cornbread and broke it into pieces over the tray. Lily promptly fisted the crumbs and shoved them into her mouth. In the corner, Sadie snored on her bed.
Vivian handed Emma a set of plates for the table and some cutlery. “So what are you going to do about Owen?”
“Reed’s going to continue his investigation, but he also recommends I take out a restraining order. Although Owen’s been arrested for his actions today, it doesn’t prevent him from making bail or being released from jail later. It’s clear I have to do something.”
“I’m glad he’s taking these threats against you seriously.”
“Me, too.” Emma frowned. “You gave me one plate too many.”
“No, I didn’t. I invited Reed to dinner while you were giving Lily her bath.” Vivian wiped her hands on her apron. “He ran home to clean up, but he should be here any minute.”
Emma recognized the gleam in her sister-in-law’s eyes. Heat crept into her cheeks. “Don’t start matchmaking, Vivi.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. I merely invited the sheriff to dinner. It’s the polite thing to do, considering he saved our lives.” Vivian turned on the stove and picked up a spoon to stir the gravy. “But since you brought it up, I did recognize his name. He’s the Reed. Your first love.”
“That was a long time ago. A lot has changed since then.”
“So what? A little romance never hurt anyone.”
“Been there, Vivi, done that. And I have the broken heart to prove it.”
“I know you do.” Vivian sighed. “But Mark wouldn’t want you to pine for him for the rest of your life. He’s been gone two years. You’ve mourned him longer than you were married.”
It was true. They’d dated, gotten engaged and were married all within eight months. Emma often wondered