Page 80 of Nothing to Fear

Geez, talk about getting ahead of herself.

She snagged her purse and hurried to the living room. Darroch stood by the front door, smiling as soon as she came into view.

“What are you smiling at?”

“I’m a lucky man.”

“Yes, you are,” she said, stopping in front of him. “Dating me is a dangerous pursuit. I’m surprised you’ve made it this far without permanent injury.”

“You’re worth the risk.” He fished something from his pocket. “Got something for you.”

“For me? What did you—”

He popped open a velvet box and there inside was a necklace of two red gems and a green. “It’s a cherry,” she whispered.

“Figured before I ask you to give me yours, I should give one up for you. May I?”

And how could she possibly say no? Turning, she hooked her hair out of the way and held her breath as he fastened it.

It settled in the center groove of her collarbone.

She spun around to show him. “How does it look?”

He held out his splayed hand. “Just like the rest of you: perfect.”

Laying her hand on his, their fingers linked and they went downstairs. Ferguson opened the limo’s back door. Alice and Benedict sat opposite with their back to the driver.

“Sorry, we didn’t mean to rush you,” Alice said when the door closed behind Darroch. “Did we interrupt?”

“The baby making? Yeah, almost.”

“Darroch,” she scolded then turned contrition on Alice. “We weren’t. I promise you we would never—”

“Relax, Cherry. Did you forget she loves babies?”

“Maybe next time, I’ll ask Alice to bring her baby along. Buoy is so much more polite.”

To her surprise, Alice laughed. “Oh, I do love seeing you together. Darroch, son—”

“I know, Mom. One step at a time.”

Good thing he knew because she was completely in the dark.

“Did you achieve what you wanted to achieve today?” Benedict asked. “Savanna?”

“Me?” she asked, surprised to be the center of attention, because why would any of them care? “Oh, uh… Not exactly. I saw three apartments, one I like, but it’s complicated. My current landlord said I could leave at the end of the month without penalty. She painted recently and has a waiting list, she’ll fill the unit fast.”

Given what happened, maybe because of it, her landlord had been incredibly understanding.

Alice was all concern. “You’re moving?”

“I can’t stay there now. Once, in the past, when I was young, my family was burglarized, and it taints a place. I wouldn’t be able to sleep there again.”

“You’re welcome to stay with us.”

“Yes,” Darroch said, pressing his lips to the back of her hand. “For as long as you want. Permanently.”

Her smile was contrite. “I appreciate the offer, I do, but it wouldn’t be right to accept.”

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