Page 27 of His Curvy Woman

We pass her parents sitting out on the deck, and they wave at us. “I’m going to go put your bags in the truck. Go up and talk to your folks and I’ll meet you up there.”

“Are we telling them? What if this is nothing and I’m just freaking out? Maybe we jumped the gun here.”

“Could be. I’d rather be safe than sorry. Go, I’ll be right there.” I kiss the side of her head, and we go off in different directions. When I meet everyone on the deck, my fire chief and the man that will soon be my father-in-law is giving me a skeptical look.

“What’s going on Hunter? Whitley told us about the window.”

“That’s all I know, sir. I’m going to reach out to my contacts and find out if anything has changed.”

“Are you bringing trouble to our doorstep? If your father’s demons bring harm to my family-”

I hold Mr. Grant in the highest regard, always have, but I won’t let him talk to me this way. “Sir, I wouldn’t have come back to town if I thought it would hurt anyone, especially those I love.” The wild look in his eyes shifts and he’s adjusted his stance. Instead of looking ready to strike, I see the man who I’ve always looked up to. “As far as I know, Kozlov and all of his men are still in federal prison. I haven’t heard from anyone to say that has changed.”

“If it’s not anyone from your past, then who could it be? We haven’t gone into the pool house in months. And if it was a break-in, why not take anything? It doesn’t add up.”

“That’s how I felt, too when I found out. That’s why I’m bringing her home with me. No offense, sir, but my place is more protected than where Whitley is staying now.”

“She can stay with us in her old room. There’s no need for her to leave entirely.” He says sharply, looking me over.

“She is standing right here. She can make up her own mind, and she has decided that she wants to go with Hunter.” Whitley tells us, with her back straight and a hand on her hip, staring at her father and I head-on.

I can’t help but smile at my woman. She’s a spitfire, and I love it. This is the woman I’ve seen in all of her pictures. There is no room for insecurities here. I raise my hands in surrender. “Whatever you want love, as long as I’m by your side.”

“Whitley, your father and I just want you to be safe.” Mrs. Grant says, reaching out and touching her daughter's arm.

“I will be, Momma. Hunter won’t let anything happen to me. Plus, now that I’m out of the house, you and Daddy have been acting like you’re teenagers again. Last week I walked into the kitchen and spotted you two on the couch doing things I never want to see again.”

“Whitley Ann!” Mrs. Grant calls, her cheeks turning a cherry red, the same shade her daughters are turning.

Mr. Grant clears his throat. “Perhaps you’re right. I trust that Hunter will do everything to make sure you’re protected. Won’t you, son?”

“Yes, sir.”

Mr. Grant reaches out his hand, and we shake hands. “It’s John now Hunter, at least when we aren’t at work.”

“Thank you, John.”

He chuckles and releases my hand. “You’ll call me and let me know what you find out?”

I throw my arm around Whitley’s shoulders. “I sure will.”

“Goodnight Momma and Daddy,” Whitley says.

“Goodnight, baby girl. Hunter, you remember what I said.” Mrs. Grant turns to me and asks.

“Of course, I do.”

“Good. Have a good night, you two.”

* * *

Whitley is enjoyinga hot bubble bath now that we are back at my place, while I make a call on one of the burner phones I have. I hoped I would never have to make this call. I’m careful when I do call home, making sure it’s intermittently and to stay on the phone for a very short time.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Dad.”

“Hunter. How’s it going, my boy? How is Ms. Whitley?” My father answers the phone, sounding much like he always does these days, happy.

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