Page 115 of Deeper Than the Dead

After Bent’s thorough look around, she and her sisters had explored the house and determined that nothing appeared to be missing. Evidently whatever the intruder had been looking for he didn’t find, or what he found was something they hadn’t yet missed. Vera was glad he hadn’t ransacked their parents’ bedroom again. She’d only just gotten it put back together.

“You ladies should get some sleep,” Bent suggested. “I’ll be on your couch tonight.”

“I’m going back to Suri’s.” Eve was heading out of the room as she spoke. “Night, y’all.”

Good nights were called after her. Vera knew better than to try to stop her. She wondered if Eve would tell Suri that Vera knew about the rapist.

Didn’t matter. She could not think about that again tonight.

Luna folded her arms over her chest. “Thank you, Bent.” She looked to Vera, smiled sadly. “Night.”

There had been no time to discuss whatever had happened between her and Jerome. Hopefully nothing major.

Vera returned her smile. “Night.” She watched her go, wishing she could make her feel better about her fiancé, but that was way beyond her control.

With her sisters gone, Vera figured it would be in her best interest to go as well. “I’ll get you a pillow and a blanket.”

Bent analyzed her for a long moment, then he nodded. “That works.”

As Vera walked away, she wondered if he’d hoped she would invite him upstairs.

Oh yes, this whole situation just kept getting more complicated.

And maybe a little more dangerous than she wanted to admit.

What was the intruder looking for? There had to be something here, or he wouldn’t have come back. Assuming it was the same guy. But what could it be? Vera had searched the house thoroughly.

She had a feeling the answer to that question was the match point in this game.

39

Saturday, July 27

Boyett Farm

Good Hollow Road, Fayetteville, 6:35 a.m.

“Another cup?” Bent stood at the counter next to the coffee maker.

Vera shook her head. “No thanks.”

He had been up and making coffee by half past five. The smell of the fresh brew had drawn her down the stairs when she had thought she might stay in her room until Luna was up.

Waking up with Bent in the house was a first.

And no matter that his clothes had that slept-in look and his hair was just a little tousled, he looked far too good. Wore forty-something really well.

“Serious personal question,” she said, before her brain could override her mouth. She should have been discussing last night’s intruder and what it meant, but here she was about to toss out a personal question that suggested things she didn’t want to imply. She was just curious, that’s all. At least that’s what she told herself.

The way he paused to wait for the question made her want to crawl under the table and hide. Then he refilled his mug and joined her at the table once more. “Shoot.”

No going back now. “Why aren’t you married or in a serious relationship?”

“Probably the same reason you aren’t.” He inclined his head and studied her the way he had last night when she’d offered him a pillow and blanket. “Life in the military—for me—wasn’t really conducive to a permanent relationship. Lots of folks handle it just fine, but it wasn’t the sort of situation I wanted. When I came back here, Walt immediately recruited me to go after the position of sheriff. There was a lot of work to be done to straighten things out. On top of that I was busy renovating my place. No time, I guess, is ultimately the answer.”

“Wow.” Vera gave him a pointed look. “That’s a lot of excuses for ignoring your personal life.”

He chuckled. “Like you have any room to talk. Why aren’t you married or in a serious relationship?”

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