Page 46 of Search for the Truth
“You can head to bed. I’ve got her.”
Lola was silent a moment. Clem didn’t hesitate, becoming a drill and burrowing under the blanket.
“Are you sure?” Lola added.
“I’m sure. I already feel way better thanks to the meds and food.” Blake thumbed over at the sheriff. “Worst case, Mother Hen here can give me a hand if I need it.”
Liam was fast.
“Don’t worry,” he said. “I’ll make sure they’re good.”
Lola didn’t fight the offer. During the last week, she had continued to talk about his heroics in the field and, now that he had cooked for them and had clearly been accepted by Clem? Blake had a feeling she’d be singing Liam’s praises for a good while. Lola told him thank you and wished them a good-night before leaving.
Blake waited a few seconds before whispering to the man at her side.
“You don’t have to stick around,” Blake tried. “We’re just going to watch some TV.”
“I don’t mind sticking around a little longer.” He notably paused. “Unless you want some space.”
Blake didn’t.
Not from him.
An acquaintance my tushy,she couldn’t help but think.
But instead she said, “You can stay.”
Liam took the remote off the nightstand next to him. He said only one word next, but it was enough to make the heat in her cheeks grow warmer again.
“Good.”
Chapter Twelve
His hip was hurting, but it wasn’t because of his old injury.
Liam opened his eyes.
The bed was different. Too big, too soft. He smelled lavender. He felt warm. Light moved across the room.
It was the TV, still on but muted. A cartoon dancing across the screen.
Liam hadn’t been sleeping all that much during the last week. He’d be the first to admit that. However, he hadn’t realized how tired he’d actually been. He couldn’t deny it now though. One second he’d been talking to Blake about their show, and the next?
Liam realized why his hip felt different.
Clem was pressed against his side, wrapped tightly in her blanket and fast asleep. Just as he had been moments before.
He had fallen asleep slightly sitting up.
At Blake’s house.
In her bed.
And she wasn’t there next to him anymore.
The spot on the other side of Clem was empty. Adrenaline surged as worry took over all his senses.
That surge turned into an all-out flood when he realized he’d not simply woken up on his own. Movement at the side of the bed came at him quick.
