Page 70 of Deadline for Love

“I really didn’t mean anything.”

I rolled my eyes at his statement and removed myself from his arms. An uncomfortable feeling spread through my chest, and I didn’t want to focus on it, but somehow, I couldn’t get rid of it. I wanted to enjoy a lovely day, but Nathan’s words had quickly thrown me back into reality…

Even though the atmosphere here was pleasant, I could only hide my worries and fake a smile.

At the end of the night we stayed to help Amara and Justin wrap everything up.

Then Amara went outside with me to talk a bit privately, and as we were making our way back to the house, my phone rang. I rummaged through my little bag that matched my dress and fished it out to see Janette calling me.

I answered with a queasy feeling in my stomach.

“Hello?”

“Bella? Can you hear me?”

“Yeah, Janette, is everything all right?” I asked.

“No. I got another letter, could you come and pick it up tomorrow? I don’t want it with me.”

“When did you get it?” I stammered after I managed to suppress the shock fighting to suffocate me.

“I don’t know, I worked night shift and I work again tonight. It was on my door. Will you please just come get it? I’ll be home at noon.”

“Okay. Please take care of yourself, Janette, and be careful.”

She hung up without another word — She was angry and probably had no more idea how to deal with the situation than I did.

“I’m going with you,” Amara said from beside me.

I took in her words and shook my head vigorously. “No, absolutely not. I’ll go with Nia; you stay safe.”

“Hello! I’m not in mortal danger; we’re going during the day!”

I shook my head again. “No.”

She crossed her arms in front of her chest and puffed loudly. “I’ve been back at work since yesterday, and Nia told me what you’ve been up to. I thought we were friends.”

I didn’t know what Nia told her, but it was confirmed that I was always out with her—and on my own—except when we were looking for stories, Nathan went with us. We hadn’t been backsince there hadn’t been any new letters. But that didn’t matter now.

“We’re not friends—we’re best friends. You’re like my sister. I love you more than anything, and I would never forgive myself if something were to happen to you. Besides, you have to think for two people now.” I pointed to her little tummy, and she started to pout.

“Come on, Bella, I want to hang out with you.”

“We can do something together tomorrow evening…”

“No. If you really love me, then let me go with you.”

We both stared at each other, and we certainly didn’t give in, but after a while, her eyes went round and round, and I almost couldn’t resist.

“No, Amara. We’re not going to do that. I want you to be safe.”

She turned around in a huff and stomped off in the direction of the house, but then she turned back to me and rushed back to hug me and give me a hard peck on the forehead to thank me for the day before walking away.

I had to laugh at her reaction, but my laughter died as I thought of everything that could happen now. What kind of rhyme was it now? What was Janette hiding? Was Nathan finally ready to talk about his feelings? Why did I feel he wasn’t thinking about the future after we caught the killer? Did he want to catch the murderer and carry out his own revenge? Or was he thinking about his parents? I furrowed my brow and then sighed loudly, “Why was everything so complicated?”

Once we’d finished our chores, Nathan and I drove home. We didn’t talk on the way, but it wasn’t awkward. Once we arrived, we showered and got ready for bed.

I was lying in his arms. It was so quiet I thought I could hear our blood flowing. It was a lovely peace, and I enjoyed his closeness. Slowly, I snuggled more into his chest and listened to his heartbeat.

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