Page 49 of Sackett
“Why do you have my daughter?”Ruger tried a different tactic.
“We were playing when she got tired.I fed her and she fell asleep.”
“And now you’re just letting her sleep on you?”Sadist asked, having heard the exchange.
“Why not?”Sackett asked, lifting the shoulder Amber wasn’t sleeping on.He didn’t want to jostle her too much and wake her.
“Here.Give her to me.I’ll take her up and lay her down, I’ll meet you in the other room.”Ruger glanced toward the back room where several of the men who had trickled in over the last hour were starting to drift.
“I’ll let Krissi know where she is.I’ll see you then.”
Sackett transferred the sleeping baby to her father’s arms then handed him the diaper bag when he motioned for it.He watched as the club treasurer headed up the stairs to the second floor, then he found Krissi and let her know.With that done, retrieved his drink and headed for the back room.
40
AfterSackettdroppedheroff at home, Selena kept busy.Unpacking, laundry, ordering groceries and preparing for the next week at work.She managed to stay busy until bedtime, but when she slid between the sheets, she found herself staring up at the dark ceiling.
This felt wrong.How could a person get so used to something after only two days?
If someone had told her a week ago that she would be lying in bed missing a man after only two nights together, she would have told them they were crazy.But now, that was exactly how she felt.
Add to the problem, Selena found herself jumping at every creak and thump, and she didn’t know if she would get any sleep tonight.It wasn’t just that she was alone in the house.She’d lived here, alone, for almost two years.She was used to the noises her house and neighborhood made.But between missing the warmth and presence of Sackett in the bed and seeing Mr.Smarmy— no, Sackett had said his name was Harper, in Silverton and knowing he had to have been following her, she was feeling some anxiety.What if they followed them all the way to Tucson?What if that creak was him?Was that thump was someone trying to get into the house?
After lying in the dark for what seemed like hours, she gave up, turning on the light and checking the clock.
Forty-five minutes had passed since she’d turned out the light.She spent maybe thirty seconds debating it, then threw the blanket back and got up.Taking her phone with her, Selena went into the kitchen, filled the kettle and put it on the stove.
She picked up her phone, intending to scroll online while she waited for the water to heat but found a text waiting and from the last person she’d expected to hear from.
Sackett: Know your probably sleeping but I wanted to say I’m thinking of you.
Selena found herself smiling at the screen.She checked when he’d sent the message and saw it had only been ten minutes.
Selena: I should be, but I’m not.
Selena: Thinking about you too.
She glanced at the kettle, then set her phone aside while she pulled down a mug and had to dig through the cabinet to find the box of chamomile tea she knew was in there somewhere.After getting her cup ready, she picked her phone up again.
Sackett: Something wrong, sunshine?
Sackett: Sunshine?
Sackett: Are you okay?
Her heart raced as she realized not answering right away had probably worried him.They hadn’t exchanged texts before, but he’d spent three days with her in the car and he saw how she was.She had a thing about returning texts as soon as they came in.Though it was a lot harder when she wasn’t in the car looking for something to do.Her solution was to mute the phone when she wasn’t in a place where she could return them right away, then respond when she could.Sleeping was one of those times, which was why she hadn’t heard any of the messages come in.Now, she quickly typed several messages.
Selena: I’m good.
Selena: Sorry.I’m making tea and set the phone down to get things ready.
Selena: I wouldn’t say wrong, but different.
Selena: Yeah.Different works.My bed feels empty and I’m jumping at every noise.But I’m making tea.I’ll drink it then go to bed again.
Sackett: Different how?
Selena frowned at the screen for a second, trying to figure out what he meant, then realized he’d sent that while she was typing out her last message, so she’d already answered the question.
