Page 15 of A Soldier's Pledge
“Yeah, I’m starting to.”
“Adria is her best friend, maybe her only friend. All she does is work. Besides Tag, his girlfriend, Mac, and his wife, Adria is it. And you just made it, so she’s going to have trouble looking her in the face.”
“Well, she’s got you too. But I get it. So why didn’t you stop me?”
“Would it have done any good? Other than me telling you to shut the fuck up, which would have made it even worse, what the hell was I supposed to do. Deck you?”
“You didn’t look too upset at the time.”
“True, I was enjoying it—maybe too much. But of all things, Mr. King of Interrogation, you just walked into a big ass sink hole. Amateur, dude.”
Steele ran his hand through his hair making it stand on end, a sure sign he was as agitated as Ethan. “What if you lie and tell her we can’t get the warrant?”
“Lie to me? Are you serious? And I was starting to like you.” Anna stood in the open doorway and looked like she was about to explode. The storm clouds in her eyes caught Steele by surprise. Damn, he was getting the full Anna, but he had no one to blame but himself.
“He didn’t mean it, baby. Besides, I wouldn’t lie to you. You should know me better.” His words seemed to defuse some of her irritation, but if looks could kill, Steele would be in need of an ambulance right about then.
“I’m sorry, Anna. It was only a suggestion to make it easier. But you’re right it was stupid. On that note, I think I’m going to go home before I make things any worse. Thank you for dinner and the company. I had a great time until I stuck my size thirteens in my mouth.”
“Probably a good idea. I’ll see you at the station in the morning.”
“I really am sorry, Anna.”
To her credit, she didn’t throw anything at Steele. “It’s okay. I’m on edge too. I probably shouldn’t have worked you so hard for information I didn’t want or need to know. I’ll take half the blame.”
Steele smiled in relief and bravely gave her a hug as he made his way into the house. “Next time will be better, I promise.”
“I’m sure it will. No work next time at all.”
“Deal.”
“I’ll walk you out.” Ethan grabbed her hand and squeezed it as he followed Steele into the house, and she gave him a half smile.
Chapter Six
After Steele left, Ethan helped her clean the kitchen and put everything away. He was dropping hints like little land mines hoping she’d invite him to stay the night again. But she was going to disappoint him. Anna’s Sundays were spent preparing for the work week. That meant updating her schedule and planner, sorting through bills, checking all the latest listings from the weekend to share at the morning meeting. Her day always ended with yoga and a shower.
Instead, she’d spent her Sunday helping Willow Haven’s sexiest detective and his partner, and making herself crazy with worry. It wasn’t until Steele left that she remembered the possible stalker creepy guy who might have been following her on Saturday. Considering how freaked out it had her at the time, she couldn’t believe she’d forgotten about it until then.
She should probably tell Ethan now that she knew about the robberies. He had been hanging around the house, the same one that had the break-in. Anna didn’t believe in coincidences, and this was just too odd to ignore. Seeing the open wine bottle, she was tempted to pour another glass, but it probably wasn’t the best idea. Not with work tomorrow and so much going on.
“Do you want some coffee?”
“Always. I’ll make it,” Ethan said as he grabbed the teapot and filled it with water. While he did that, she ground the beans and put them in the French press. Once the water was near boiling, they added it to the pot and carried everything out to the patio. The sun was just setting, and it was the perfect summer evening, even if her insides were in turmoil.
Passing Ethan his black coffee, she added sugar and half-and-half to hers before reclining in one of the chaise lounges. It was so peaceful. She sighed with pleasure that she wished she could hold on to just a little longer before she had to open the can of worms.
“What’s wrong, sweetheart? I don’t know if you realize it, but whatever is going on in that head of yours is broadcast all over your beautiful face. Don’t bother trying to say it’s nothing.”
The immature Anna wanted to stick out her tongue and say, “bite me.” But she had to be an adult, and that meant coming clean. “Something weird happened after the open house on Saturday.” Yup, that got his attention.
“And you’re just telling me now?”
“With everything going on it kind of slipped my mind. I got home and smelled your amazing dinner, and all I could think about was food.”
“Umm, sure. Nope, not buying it. What weird thing happened?”
“Well…” She hesitated and took another sip of coffee as she searched for the right words. The last thing she wanted was for him to freak out and decide she wasn’t safe. “I’m sure it was nothing.”
