Visions (Cainsville 2)

"No. Never." Her tone was firm, fierce even. "Neither of you are."

"It's Olivia I'm concerned about."

"I know."

"I won't allow anything to happen to her."

She smiled. Warm. Pleased again. He felt as if he'd given something away, revealed too much. The anxiety buzzed in the pit of his stomach, and he wanted to pull back the words.

"Go inside, Gabriel," she said. "Get some rest."

He nodded, more curtly than he'd intended, and escaped.

As he stepped into the apartment, he heard a meow and an "Oh!" and found Olivia in the middle of the room, her hair falling in a halo of soft curls, eyes wide with sleepy confusion. She wore only an oversized shirt, feet bare, long legs bare. He jerked his gaze back to her face.

"Alarm," she said, and lunged for it.

He made it first, entering the code before it went off.

"I thought you'd changed your mind and gone home," she said. "I was just going to throw the bolt. Is everything okay?"

"I stepped out for some air. Did I wake you?"

She shook her head. "Something . . ."

He tensed. "You heard something?"

She waved off his concern. "No, no. You're okay, then?"

"I am."

"I'm sure that sofa isn't very comfortable. That might be why you aren't sleeping. If you'd like to leave . . ."

He searched her face for a sign that she wanted him gone. He knew he wouldn't find one. Even when she was annoyed with him, she never seemed to really want him gone. Still, he looked. He probably always would, watching for that signal that he wasn't wanted, and if he sensed that, he'd be out the door before she could say goodbye.

"I'm fine on the sofa," he said.

A smile, sleepy but genuine. Happy that he was staying.

"Go on," he said, waving toward her room.

Another smile as she retreated. "Good night, Gabriel. Sleep well."

"I will."

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

I served Gabriel breakfast the next day--Larry cooked it; I just served. Once Gabriel left, I stepped outside to call Ricky.

"What time do you start work tomorrow?" he asked.

"Ten. Gabriel has a morning appointment and doesn't need me there until then."

"Perfect. I have class at ten. How about an overnight trip to Wisconsin? We have a cabin up there. Monday nights are quiet, and the forecast is clear."

"Sounds good. Are we riding up?"

"I figured you might want the car for this one. It's almost two hours from Cainsville. A bit long for a bike if you're not used to it. I imagine you were a little sore after the other day."