Colton's Lethal Reunion (Coltons of Mustang Valley)

And she wasn’t going to do so.

The thought made him shaky.

One street over from her house he made his third call.

She picked up on the first ring. A good sign.

“Do you ever park your Jeep in your driveway overnight?”

“I have before,” she said. “Why?”

“Because I think yo

u should again tonight.”

“Okay, why?”

“Because it would be best to park my truck in the garage so tongues don’t start to wag.”

“What? You are not spending the night here again, Rafe. Last night...it was a one-shot deal. We both agreed.”

“Don’t get your panties in a wad...” He stopped. Couldn’t believe he’d said anything so crass. Especially to her.

She brought out the little boy in him. The one who’d lived before Payne Colton got a hold of him.

“I apologize... I am not assuming that I have a place in your bed, nor am I asking for one,” he told her. “The couch will be fine. You have a concussion, and yes the doctor released you, but I would rather you not be alone. I’d set your alarm for every two hours, just to make sure there are no adverse reactions to the concussion. I know the doctor only suggested it as a precaution, and only because you asked, but, seriously, who would know if you don’t wake up?”

“My friend Lizzie. She insisted on staying, but gave in when I told her I’d text her if I needed her.”

Rafe knew he should have perhaps considered that she had a support system. A tribe that didn’t include him.

“I thought maybe we could go over aerial maps of the mountain, homing in on the area where we know the guy was headed today, and see what we can find. I’d like to have a solid plan before we head up and I suspect we’re heading up tomorrow, as soon as you’re off work.”

She’d given her word she’d take him with her. But he knew her well enough to know that if he wasn’t available when she was ready to go, she’d take that to mean he was letting her out of the deal.

“I don’t think...”

“I’m not leaving you alone tonight,” he said. “If you won’t take me, I’ve got a guy on hold to at least watch your house.”

He’d mentioned to Jason that he might need a second guy. Just for the night.

“Fine. I’ll move the Jeep. How long until you get here?”

“Sixty seconds.” He pulled around the corner onto her street.

And wiped the grin off his face.

* * *

She didn’t want Rafe in her space. At the moment, Kerry just wanted to be alone. It was the only way she knew how to deal with pain. Grief. Fear. Confusion.

From the time she was thirteen she’d done it all alone. Her dad hadn’t been well enough to be a support to her. And Tyler, she’d always put on a brave face for him. Looking out for him, not vice versa.

Having Rafe just suddenly show up—and strong-arm her into letting him in by threatening to do something he knew she’d hate, and something he knew she knew he’d do—should have made her royally pissed.

Instead, she was kind of amused by his transparent tactics. And a bit moved by his motive. He was really worried about her.

It didn’t mean anything life changing. But still, it was nice.