Page 26 of Harmony Island Gazette
I cursed under my breath as I stood and made my way into the kitchen. I’d taken off my shirt—it felt like it was strangling me—and all I had on were the grey sweatpants I’d worn earlier. I scrubbed my face with my hand and then pushed it through my hair. I blew out my breath as I opened the nearby cupboard and grabbed a glass.
I was done trying to pretend to sleep. I wasn’t going to rest until I knew that she was safe and sound in her bed. I needed her to be here, where I could stand between her and anything that tried to harm her. Only then would I finally be able to relax.
I downed the glass of water and filled it again. After I turned off the faucet, I grabbed the full glass and a nearby magazine before making my way to the dining room table. I pulled out the chair that was nestled in the corner of the room. This allowed for maximum visibility of the kitchen.
I mindlessly flipped through what I could only assume was Mrs. Godwin’s home decorating magazine, every so often stopping to stare out the open living room window with the hope that I could somehow will headlights to appear on the road.
Headlights that belonged to Juniper.
In my sick and twisted head, those headlights meant she was coming home to me instead of staying with her husband. I cursed under my breath as I turned my focus back to the picture of a bedroom spread in front of me, which was only half registering in my mind.
I was ridiculous. If I had any respect for Juniper and her family, I would walk away right now. Mr. Godwin asked me to protect her, and the thoughts that were invading my head right now were the furthest thing from keeping that promise.
Lights from the living room window snapped my focus over. I waited, willing those lights to pull up the driveway. I watched as the car slowed and then took a right before pulling up next to the house. I wanted to stand and walk out the door just to see her get out of the car. I wanted to make sure that she was okay. But I knew if I did, she would know that I cared.
And I didn’t want to care as much as I did.
So I forced myself to stay seated, staring down at the magazine, but the words and pictures weren’t registering. My body was frozen as if any movement would pull my focus from Juniper. I would wait for the sound of the lock releasing and the door opening, then I would look up.
The headlights clicked off, causing the window to darken. I could hear murmuring, but I couldn’t make out what words were being said. Was Juniper on the phone? Was she talking to herself?
My ears strained against the silence as my thoughts raced. Had she brought Kevin back?
My stomach sank as that question ping-ponged around in my head. Why was she back with him? And why would she let him back into her home?
The front door opened, and I heard Juniper’s soft voice. “Good night, Kevin.” My hands fisted at the sound of his name. So he was here.
“Come on, baby. It’s been a while. Just let me in.”
My jaw clenched. It was taking all of my strength not to go over there and show Kevin how I felt about him. I wanted to show him how I thought men like him should be treated.
“It’s late and I have to be up early to get the store opened.” She let out a soft giggle, but I could tell from the sound of her voice, she was nervous.
And I hated that.
“But you said your parents aren’t here. You’re alone. What would it hurt?” His voice got louder, which meant he was pushing his way into the house. “It’s not like we haven’t done it before.” His laughter caused my muscles to flex. “We’re pretty good at it.” His voice was definitely closer now.
If he came in any further, I was going to have to move. I was going to intervene if he thought all he needed to do was say a few pushy words to get what he wanted.
“Boone’s here.” I closed my eyes, hating that my heart pounded at the sound of my name on her lips.
“Boone?” Silence. “That idiot from the diner?”
“Shh. Shh. He’s probably sleeping right now.”
“You’re alone in your house with some random stranger? Let me talk to him.” The sound of his voice growing louder had me pushing the chair away from the table as I stood.
Suddenly, he appeared in the doorway between the living room and the kitchen. His gaze snapped to me, and his cheeks turned red. I stood there, waiting to see what he was going to do. From behind him, I could see Juniper trying to rise up onto her tiptoes to see around his shoulder.
“He’s my dad’s guest.” She wrapped her hand around his arm and attempted to pull him back.
She was like a fly on his windshield. One yank from his arm and her hand was dislodged.
“I think I should know the kind of man staying alone withmy wife,” he said, spittle flying from his lips as he spoke. He narrowed his eyes and rounded his shoulders.
My head cleared, and all I could see was Kevin. There was a likely chance that I was going to have to fight this man, and I was ready for it. Sure, I might get stuck in my head thinking about Juniper, but when it came to war, I was ready.
I was always ready.
