Page 74 of Dangerous Secrets
The sound of tires crunching on gravelcarried into the house.Keeley craned her neck to look out thewindow.“If you say so.But FYI, your not-a-boyfriend has arrivedwith his hot brother.”
“I wish your dates withhot brother had worked out.”
“Right?But as hot asSawyer is, and as amazing as I am, we’re doomed to the friend zone.Dating him was like dating my brother.”
Keeley crossed the room to open thedoor for Sawyer and Walker.Walker’s gaze locked on Delaney.Theair between them pulsed with unspoken emotions and she was forcedto concede Keeley’s point.
She and Walker weresomething.
She wasn’t sure what, but they weresomething.
“You kick everybody out?”Sawyer asked her.
Delaney had a hard time pulling hergaze from Walker’s.“Keeley did.”
“Good.You need rest.Weall do.It’s been a rough coupla days.”
“Thank you, Sawyer, foreverything you did.”
He moved to the couch and bent to kissher on the forehead.“You’re family, Laney.I’ll check on youtomorrow.I’m going home and sleeping for the next tenhours.”
“Wait, Franny put some ofthe stew in individual containers so anyone who wanted could takesome home.I’ll get that for you.”Keeley disappeared into thekitchen, returning a minute later with a paper bag she handed toSawyer.“Beef stew and cheddar biscuits.Enjoy.”
“Excellent.Thanks, Keel.”He moved to the door, clapping a hand on Walker’s shoulder.“Later,brother.”
“Yeah, later.”Walkerseemed to give himself a mental shake.
Keeley spoke in an overly brightvoice, “I’m staying at my parents’ house if you need anything,Delaney.See you all later.”
She followed Sawyer out the door,leaving Delaney and Walker alone in the suddenly quiethouse.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Walker crossed to the couch, lookingabout as tense as she’d ever seen him.“You in pain?”
“Not really.”
“What’s that mean, ‘notreally’?Either you are or you aren’t.”
“It means where I was shotis starting to hurt again, but it’s not too bad.”
“Shit.Where are yourpills?They sent you home with pain meds, right?”
“They did, but I want toeat before I take them.”
“Right, eating’s good.I’ll bring you some of that stew.”
“I’ll eat at the table.”She pushed the blanket aside to swing her legs to thefloor.
“Wait, what are you doing?Why are you moving?”
“Walker, what’s wrong withyou?I’m fine.”She rose to her feet.With a panicked expression,he scooped her up in his arms.
“You need to take it easy.I’ll carry you to the kitchen.”
But he didn’t, instead he stood withhis boots planted on the floor, holding her close to his chest.Then he dipped his head and buried his face in her neck, breathingdeep.Her arms went around his neck and she held on.
After several long minutes, he turnedand sat on the couch, holding her securely on his lap.A shudderwracked his body.“I finally feel like I can breathe,” he murmured.“I thought I’d lost you.”
