Page 30 of Axe-ing for Trouble
God, I was down bad. Maybe it was the pain meds. Was it possible that antibiotics could cause lustful delusions? That would be a great investigative piece. I could pitch it to the times.
My mind was wandering around potential reporting angles when my attention snagged on a small box on the countertop.
“Here,” he said, sliding it closer.
I looked down at the white package, frowning. “A phone?”
He nodded. “It’s one of those prepaid ones. It’s charged, and I put my number in. Parker’s too. And Willa’s. She says she wants you to keep her updated.”
My stomach twisted. “You bought me a burner phone?”
He nodded, continuing to sip his coffee with an ease I wasn’t sure I’d ever experienced.
“This may be the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me,” I gushed, lifting the lid and shaking the box lightly until the bottom slid out and landed on the counter. “And you charged it?”
He nodded. “That way you can reach me. As we get closer to winter, I’ll be away more.”
My heart panged at the thought. Jude belonged here, being all inscrutable and helpful. At the same time, I needed him out of the house so I could search for my phone and finish this once and for all.
He was so kind and helpful. I couldn’t put him in danger. He was already doing so much by letting me stay here. So maybe it was best that he would be gone so much.
And the sooner I found what I needed, the sooner I could walk away and ensure he was safe.
My instinct was to dawdle this morning. To hang out with him, then spend the day resting and eating and avoiding hard truths. In a matter of days, I was already succumbing to the cozy charm of this house.
I couldn’t let it continue. I had work to do, and I refused to overstay my welcome.
With a smile, I rounded the counter and threw my good arm around him.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you.” I pulled him in for a hug. “Connection to the outside world!”
It took a moment to realize his body was rigid and that he hadn’t spoken. Shit. With a big step back, I chastised myself for making things weird.
“I owe you big-time,” I said.
Those dark blue eyes were fathomless as he assessed me. But the message he was sending was loud and clear when he backed away and busied himself with putting his coffee mug in the dishwasher.
“We can unpack that later, Trouble. But I’m late for work.”
Chapter8
Mila
Lumbersnack:
Test
Trouble:
New phone, who dis?
Lumbersnack:
I take it everything is in working order?
Trouble:
Oh yes. I’m reading up on celebrity gossip and playing word games.
