Page 106 of Midnight Secrets

Why was I so nervous? It wasn’t like he’d say no.

At least, I didn’t think he would. That was the whole reason I was asking. If I thought he’d turn me down, I would keep my mouth shut.

But I was still nervous. It wasn’t every day a woman asked her boyfriend to permanently move in.

Since the incident at his house with Grace and Gabe, he’d been staying with me. At first, his house was a crime scene. Plus, there was a gaping hole where the window used to be. Not to mention the damage to the flooring, walls, and cabinets from the bullets.

The police spent over a week collecting evidence from Ozzie’s house and holding the scene until they were sure they had what they needed. He couldn’t do anything except board up the window until then. It had about driven him insane to beput on administrative leave and completely sidelined from the investigation, but Riggs and the state patrol officers who came in to assist were adamant he stayed away.

But the ball was rolling now. He’d been cleared of wrongdoing in Gabe Turner’s death and taken off of leave, but he was still out of the loop on the case.

As far as the house went, over the last couple of weeks, he’d met with insurance adjusters and contractors to start the restoration process. It would be at least another month before he could move back in. Even then, it wouldn’t be finished.

So, I had a plan.

I touched the blue and silver wrapped package on the counter. It wasn’t anything fancy. Literally a piece of paper I put in a box and wrapped. But it was arguably one of the most important pieces of paper of my life.

I glanced at the clock on the stove. Five-twenty-three.

Where was he?

Before he left this morning, I asked if he thought he would be on time for dinner tonight. That I had an elk roast to use up, and it was better right out of the slow cooker than reheated later.

He said barring a case coming in last minute he didn’t see it being a problem. Then he promised to call me if he would be late.

The clock ticked over to five-twenty-four.

He was late. I couldn’t leave the roast in the slow cooker on warm for much longer. It would get too dry.

I huffed.

Relax, Claire.My rational mind poked her head out and rolled her eyes at me.He probably had to finish a report and didn’t think it would take long.

I knew that side of my brain was right, but it didn’t make waiting any easier.

Rather than stand around clock-watching, I decided to set the table. We usually just grabbed plates from the cupboard anddished up our meals right from the pots and pans on the stove. Tonight, we’d be fancy. I even found a couple of placemats.

Carrying my load to the table, I set the mats in front of the chairs we usually sat at, then put the dinner plates on top. Silverware went down next on top of folded napkins. They were paper, but it would suffice. We weren’tthatfancy.

With the place settings out, I stepped back and assessed the table. Did I want to add candles?

No. That would be overkill.

But we did need wine and drink glasses.

Spinning around, I took two steps toward the kitchen when the front door opened. Pebbles barked and ran for the door.

“Hey, it smells good in here,” Ozzie called.

Changing course, I stepped further into the room so he could see me and smiled as he came into view. “Thanks. I just set the table. Everything’s ready.”

He arched an eyebrow as he shrugged out of his coat. “You set the table?”

“I was feeling a little posh tonight.”

He hung up his jacket with a chuckle, then gave Pebbles a scratch before he walked closer and gave me a kiss. When he pulled back, he frowned slightly. “What’s the matter? You feel a little tense.”

Knowing he wasn’t wrong, I didn’t deny it. “Come here.” I took his hand and led him to the kitchen.

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