Page 5 of Cowboy Stalker
I watch him go and take a sip from the thermos. The coffee tastes like swill, but it’s hot and will keep me awake for a few more hours. Opening the bag Logan brought, I grab the tools and get to work.
I start with the back of the house, installing two security cameras to make sure the entire yard is covered. There are trees and bushes further back, but anyone approaching the back door will be recorded.
The sides are next, and I have to fiddle with one of the cameras to get the power source working. But when everything connects, I breathe a sigh of relief and move to the front of the house.
I’m doubtful that whoever is coming after her will show up on her front porch. Usually when you’re running from the wrong people, they prefer a subtle entrance. But there’s an idiot born every minute. I plan to be here when the unfortunate soul shows up. He’ll be lucky if he escapes with all his molars for what he’s put my girl through.
The last camera is almost working, the one that covers Missy’s front porch when the door swings open. She charges outside in nothing but a tank top and some tiny panties that have me thinking all kinds of dirty things.
Her hair is tousled, her curls frizzy and untamed. Her makeup is smudged from where she didn’t wash it off last night. There are deep circles underneath her eyes. She’s still a knockout. Any man would be lucky to have her on his arm. But there will be no other men. Only me.
She clutches a baseball bat tightly in her hands and glares at me. “What are you doing here?”
Chapter 3
Missy
I blink gritty eyes open to sunlight streaming through the blinds. My heart is beating fast, and my breathing is ragged. An overwhelming sense that something is wrong has me on my feet in an instant.
I glance down at the car seat, where Daisy is sleeping peacefully. She had a rough night with her teething, and I was jumping at every noise. We were quite a pair. It wasn’t until dawn that she went to sleep in her car seat. Sometimes, she won’t sleep in her crib, no matter what I do.
Once she was peaceful, I collapsed in exhaustion. I slept in the faded armchair in the corner of the bedroom, with Daisy on the floor in her seat.
There’s a scrape on the front porch. It sounds like something metallic is being dragged along the concrete slab, and I realize that’s what woke me.
Someone is here.
I grab the baseball bat I keep nearby and ease toward the front of the house. I’m careful to avoid that one spot in the laminate flooring that always creaks. Swinging the door open, I’m faced with the view of a ladder, and blue jeans. My gaze travels higher as I tighten my hold on the baseball bat.
The fear recedes the moment I look into Griffin’s face. He’s not my past come back to haunt me. He’s on my front porch on a ladder.
“What are you doing here?” I demand, my voice croaky from lack of sleep and too many late-night lullabies.
He holds up his hands. “Careful there, slugger. I’m installing some cameras.”
I glare at him, wondering if my landlord is going to charge me for what Griffin is doing. My lease said I would make no changes to the property. “Who said you could do that?”
He climbs down the ladder and scratches the beard on his face. It’s so wiry and bushy. I wonder what it would feel like underneath my fingertips or against my skin. Nope, I can’t be thinking like that. The lack of sleep must be getting to me.
He gestures to the security camera that’s dangling by the wires. “Hale Evans told me to do this. He owns the property.”
I cross my arms over my chest, all too aware that I’m in a skimpy T-shirt and my underwear in front of this rugged cowboy. “Why?”
“Haven’t you heard? The raccoons around these parts are vicious.” The slight tilt of his lips lets me know he’s teasing. He nods to the camera. “After this, I’m headed to work. I have to drive right by the diner on my way. If you’d like a ride.”
The thought of not having to walk to work while juggling the car seat and diaper bag is a relief. “Are you sure you don’t mind?”
He shrugs like he doesn’t have a care in the world. “When I offered the other day, it was a round trip.”
I fight to hide a smile as a warm glow fills me. He’s kind and hot, a nearly irresistible combination. “Give me a few minutes.”
“Take your time. I still have to get the system online.”
I hurry through my morning routine because I don’t want to keep Griffin waiting. Not because I secretly want to spend as much time with him as possible.
When I climb into Griffin’s truck half an hour later, I glance back at Daisy. She’s drooling on the teething toy I gave her.
“You look beautiful today,” he says as he starts the engine.
