Page 53 of Beautiful Exile

Ellie’s jaw dropped in mock affront. “Excuse me? Who helped design your company logo?Andgave you feedback on the Sparks mascot reboot?”

Linc’s eyes danced in amusement. “But whoalsoused to dip grapes in ketchup and call it the height of cuisine?”

“I was five!” Ellie exclaimed, throwing her hands wide.

“My taste buds will never forget,” Linc muttered, but there was clear affection in his eyes.

That shifting and rearranging sensation took flight in my rib cage. I could see the image as clear as day as if it were actually playing out in front of me. A teenage Linc dipping grapes in ketchup just to please his little sister. There was something about a boy who would do that. And he’d grown into a man who was the same at his core. Making sure I was fed. Staying with me on the off chance someone wanted to stir up trouble.

Lincoln Pierce was a good man. The best kind. And it scared the hell out of me.

“While you two argue the culinary worthiness of grapes and ketchup, I’m going to go let my horses out and head into town.”

Ellie whirled in my direction, her pale green eyes lighting. “You have horses?”

Her excitement was almost childlike. Even though she was probably a year or two older than me, I felt the bizarre urge to look out for her. “I have two. If you stick around, I’ll take you for a ride.”

Ellie let out a little squeal. “That would be amazing.”

I glanced at Linc, who was frowning. “What? No horses?”

He shook his head. “I’m not sure you should go into town alone. We can come with you.”

I tried not to let his concern wrap around me like a warm hug, but it did anyway. Which was exactly why I shouldn’t let him go with me. “I’ll be fine. Just a quick trip there and back. Trace already made me turn on that damn find-my-device setting on my phone, so he’ll know my whereabouts at all times.”

“Arden—”

“I’m good, Cowboy. A stupid prank, that’s all.”

“We don’t know that for sure.”

“No bogeyman sends you notes before they strike. And I’ll be careful. Promise.”

As Linc stared at me, I knew he didn’t believe me. And the worry in his hazel eyes put me on edge. Not because it meant he cared, but because I knew what it was like to lose that care afterhaving it. Knew what it was like to have your world ripped out from under you with no warning. And I never wanted to feel that again.

Wanda bumpedalong the gravel road as I headed into town. My windows were rolled down, letting the summer breeze blow through the cab. Brutus was in heaven, his head out the window, ears flopping in the wind. I reached over and gave his hind end a scratch, making his tail thump.

This was it. All I needed. The fresh air. My dog. My truck. My work.

I didn’t need dark, avenging angels who woke things in me that were terrifying beyond measure. Even if every cell of my being came alive at his touch. Even if he was the only person who’d made me feel completely safe for the first time in over a decade.

Just thinking about how Linc made me feel had annoyance coursing through me. How dare he waltz into my life and flip it on its head? How dare he make me realize everything I’d been missing with my walls sky-high?

My phone rang just as I turned onto Cascade Avenue. As I pulled to a stop at the first light in town, I plucked it from the cupholder. At the sight of the name on the screen, I hit accept, putting it on speaker and dropping it back into the holder.

“What can I do for you, Sheriff?” I asked.

Trace grunted in response. “Want me to tell Mom you’re sassing me when I’m just trying to look out for you?”

I chuckled. “Sassing? I’m not your six-year-old, remember?”

“Sure are acting like her,” he shot back.

I stuck out my tongue at the phone, even though he couldn’t see me.

“You’re either flipping me off or sticking out your tongue.”

My spine snapped straight as the light changed. “Did you put cameras in my truck or something?”

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