Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 49530 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 248(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49530 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 248(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
She started to say an enthusiastic yes, but reality dawned on her. Elizabeth knew she’d never be near the refrigerator in her office or a microwave to heat it up. “No. It would be too hard to eat.”
“How about cheese and some oyster crackers?”
“I’d love that,” she confessed.
“Go get two plastic bags from that drawer and put crackers in one. Take all you want. I can pick up more.”
Happy to help, Elizabeth stood, tugged her shirt down over her bare hips, and followed his directions. With a bag filled with the tasty oyster crackers, she wondered what cheese he wanted her to take.
As if reading her mind, Talon moved to the refrigerator and pulled out a package of cheddar cheese cubes and a few sticks of mozzarella string cheese. “These will do fine without refrigeration during the day. Take whatever you like or a combination.”
With the treats stored in the fridge overnight, Talon finished in the kitchen quickly. He draped her clothing over his shoulder before wrapping his arm around her waist to guide her out of the kitchen and family room area. Turning off the lights as they passed, Talon double checked that the doors were locked.
“Is it safe here?” she blurted.
“It’s safe, Buttercup. No one is going to harm you here.”
“That thinking stick was…” Her voice died out as she tried to think of what to say about it.
“Effective? I thought it might be. We’ll use that again with a wider plug.”
“Wider? That’s not necessary,” she protested as they walked into the master bedroom. Elizabeth smiled automatically at the sight of Puff and Borscht tucked into bed.
“To keep your thoughts corralled to that moment in time—it’s important. Thank goodness, one tip comes off and can be replaced by another. I picked it up a few years ago in preparation.”
“For finding a Little?” she asked.
“For finding you,” he corrected her gently as he pulled her close to take off the rest of her clothing.
Soon, he had washed all her troubles down the shower drain. Tucked into bed, Elizabeth had rolled as close as possible to her Daddy, snuggling against him as he lounged against the pillows to open a colorful book. All the struggles of the day seemed to disappear as he read in his deep voice. Puff especially loved the story because it was about flying in the sky. At least, her last thoughts were about the pretty clouds drawn in the illustrations.
Chapter
Thirteen
Elizabeth parked in a different lot the next day at the courthouse. It wasn’t as convenient, but she couldn’t bring herself to park in the same one where the men had threatened her. Talon had tried to convince her that she should let him drop her off at the front door and come pick her up when she was finished for the day, but she needed to be independent. She’d lied just a bit by telling him she’d be working in her office most of the day.
Now looking over her shoulder every two minutes, she wished she’d taken him up on his offer. Shaking herself mentally, Elizabeth pushed her emotions to the side and focused her energy into being prepared for that day in court. By the time she greeted her client, she felt better prepared to face the day’s challenges.
Walking from the first case to hurry to her second, she took another glance when something caught her eye in a darkened doorway. Had that been a motorcycle vest? Talon wasn’t checking up on her, was he?
Elizabeth stepped into the next side passageway and called him. She listened carefully to see if anyone’s phone rang around her but didn’t hear anything.
“Is everything okay, Buttercup?”
“Where are you?”
“I’m at the compound, working on a repair. Do you need me?” he asked.
“You didn’t send any Guardians to spy on me, did you?”
“I don’t like that tone or your implication I would do anything behind your back, but I’ll answer your question. No. I didn’t send anyone to watch over you. Do you see one of the Shadowridge Guardians at your office?”
“I’m at the courthouse now.”
“Hmmm,” he hummed. “And you’re seeing one of our guys there?”
“Well, no. I thought I saw a leather motorcycle vest here in one of the side hallways, but I must be mistaken.”
“There aren’t any Shadowridge Guardians at the courthouse as far as I know. Did you recognize our logo?” he asked.
She loved that he didn’t discount what she was still sure she had seen. He just asked questions to gather information. “I didn’t see the back. I really didn’t see much. Something caught my eye and I jumped to the conclusion that you’d sent someone to watch over me.”
“I wouldn’t hide that if I had. I’d be right by your side. Let me check to see if any of our regular guys are missing from the shop and I’ll text you if I find out anyone was there for a personal reason. Do you want to me to come make sure everything is okay?”