Page 30 of Two Risks I'd Never Take Again

I opened my eyes,expecting daylight, but the house was still dark. After tapping my phone screen, I groaned. Why was I awake at one in the morning?

Shouts sounded across the hall. Garret yelled something unintelligible.

My bare feet slapped the cold tile as I raced to his bed.

Flailing and groaning, he fought an unseen assailant.

I scurried across the massive bed on my hands and knees and leaned over him. Was it bad to wake someone during a nightmare?

Instead of shaking him, I laid my head on his chest. “I’m here. You’re okay.”

He dropped his arms and sighed. “Please don’t shoot.”

“It’s just me, Garrett.” Tears stung my eyes, and I wiped them away when they slid down my cheeks. Without lifting my head, I shifted under the covers.

He rested his brace on my back. “Tessa.”

“That’s right. It’s me. I’m just going to stay here to fight off your bad dreams, okay?”

His soft snore sounded a lot like a yes.

Listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, I scolded myself. Less than thirty-six hours into our little getaway, and I’d tossed my heart onto the butchering slab. I needed to return it to the freezer and tell Garrett that he was right about what I wouldn’t do or more accurately, what I couldn’t do. I’d never told anyone before, but he deserved to know why.

Chapter 9

Iwoke up to an empty bed and whistling echoing down the hall. His mouth was healing. That spawned thought tangents I opted not to chase.

Without bothering to change clothes or even pull on socks, I rushed out to the kitchen. “Good morning.”

“Hey there. Have a seat. I hope you like breakfast tacos.”

“You don’t have to cook for me.”

He held up his hands. “I didn’t. But when I feel a little better, I will. I had breakfast delivered.”

“Thank you. Sorry I slept late.”

“No reason to apologize.” He pulled foiled-wrapped tacos out of a bag. “What happened last night? I’m not saying it wasn’t a nice surprise to wake up with you cuddled beside me, but we didn’t start out that way.”

I perched on a barstool at the counter. “You were having a bad dream and shouting. When I laid my head on your chest, you calmed down. I wanted you to be able to sleep peacefully, so I stayed.”

“What did I say?” He winced as he reached into the cabinet for plates.

“I didn’t understand most of it, just the part where you asked me not to shoot you.” I swiped at my eyes. “You never mentioned that he had a gun.”

“I wouldn’t have gotten in his truck otherwise.” He touched my hand. “After my appointment tomorrow, I’ll call the officer from the other night and give him more info.”

“That’s probably a good idea.” I carried the platter of tacos to the table, then whipped around to look at Garrett. “You took off your bandage.”

“Yeah. The scrapes are healing.” He pulled mugs out of the cabinet. “Coffee?”

“Please. Lots of cream and lots of sugar.”

He laughed. “I’ll let you fix it. I’m not sure how much qualifies as lots.”

After perfecting my coffee, I picked up two tacos.

“I wasn’t sure what kind you liked, so there are a few different ones. And I won’t be bothered if you switch those out for something else.” He watched as I unwrapped my tacos.

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