Page 129 of Love on the Run

She grabbed his large hand and enclosed it in both of hers. “This is worth fighting for, and I know my place now. It’s with you.”

Beau shook his head and fought a smile. “I don’t have a ring yet.”

“You already proposed once,” she joked.

Remembering their first kiss from the restaurant in Freedom had his smile growing wider. “Yeah, but this time it’ll be real.”

Man, it was hard to wrap his head around how fully Anna had consumed his life, but he wouldn’t change a thing.

“I promise I’ll be ridiculously excited whenever you decide to ask.”

Beau pulled the truck back onto the road. “But you already know it’s coming, and you’re taking all the guesswork out of it. Most guys don’t knowexactly what the woman is going to say when they ask.”

Anna scrunched her nose. “Then why are they asking?”

She was still laughing when Beau’s headlights landed on a strange car in Dawson and Olivia’s driveway. “You expecting company?”

Anna sat up straighter to take a look. “Someone’s on the porch.”

A thin woman got to her feet, leaving the rocking chair swinging behind her.

He turned to Anna as he shifted the truck into park. “Did you know Brittany was coming?”

Anna’s lips pinched together as she shook her head slowly. “I haven’t talked to her since before Christmas, and I don’t know how she knows I live here.”

Great. Another surprise.

Beau pulled his phone out of his pocket. “Stay put for just a second.”

“Who are you calling?”

“Dawson. It’s his house, and I think the police need a formal report about this anyway.”

Anna nodded and turned to where Brittany waited on the porch. “I think you’re right.”

Chapter 43

Anna

Brittany waited on the porch with her arms wrapped around her middle. A thin layer of snow covered her car. How long had she been waiting?

Anna reached for the door handle, but Beau rested a hand on her arm.

“We have to be careful,” he reminded her.

“I know. I don’t think she would hurt me.” Though, how much did she know about Brittany? They’d lost touch over the last few months, and she’d never explained her spur of the moment visits before.

Showing up at Dawson and Olivia’s house was another breach of privacy. Anna had mentioned that she was staying with her friend, Olivia, but she most definitely hadn’t given out the address.

Beau’s lips pressed together into a thin line. Thewrinkle of worry between his brows deepened. “I don’t like this.”

“We’re not going to find out why she’s here by sitting in the truck. I need to talk to her.”

Beau sighed but reached for his door.

She had the freedom to make her own decisions, but this one affected Beau too. Was she sailing them into a storm?

Anna pulled her coat tighter around her as they approached the porch. Beau took his place dutifully at her side. The warmth of his body seeped into her side.

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