Page 28 of SEAL's Harmony
“Well, it’s probably crazy, but maybe my father. But he should be in Iowa.”
Ry’s intake of air made her cringe. Now she was going to have more of her story to tell. She doubted he’d let her get away with not telling him everything.
“Has your father threatened you, Ms. Taylor?”
Dang it.
“He’s not the most pleasant person,” Harmony admitted, and wished she’d been able to avoid anything having to do with her father.
“I’m going to need his contact information as well. And the type of car he drives.”
Harmony gave the detective her address and phone number in Iowa. Then told him her father drove a huge white Ford truck.
“Okay, I think that’s everything. I’ll be in touch if we need anything else.” The detective handed her his card and turned away, dismissing them. Not that she cared. Robert Nelson, per his card, wasn’t too bad, but she’d rather be far away from him.
“There might be someone else to consider,” Ry said.
The detective turned to face Ry. “And who would that be?”
Harmony wanted to know, too. Since she couldn’t think of anyone else.
“I think his name is Harry Ericson. He’s one of Harmony’s bank customers and he threatened her earlier today. There were several witnesses to his outburst.”
“No, Ry. He wouldn’t do something like this. He’s a sweet man going through a horrible time.” Harmony jumped to Harry’s defense. It was true he’d threatened her and how sad was it she believed he couldn’t do this but that her father could?
“Do you have more information on Mr. Ericson?”
“At the bank. But it wouldn’t be him. His wife is dying, and she’s in the hospital. He wouldn’t leave her.”
“We have to check into all possibilities, Ms. Taylor. Chances are it was a group of teenagers with too much free time on their hands.”
The detective nodded and walked off. Harmony wished it was a bunch of teenagers, but deep down, she didn’t believe it for a second. The other cars didn’t have any damage. Just hers. It had to be on purpose. But why had she been singled out? And if it wasn’t her father, then who? She refused to believe it could be Harry.
9
“Your father could have done this?” Ry asked as soon as the detective was out of hearing range. To say he was furious was an understatement. Harmony hadn’t been kidding when she said they didn’t know each other. His family was amazing, loving, and supportive. He couldn’t imagine ever thinking anyone in his family would set his vehicle on fire.
“Maybe. I don’t know. But I’d believe it was him before Harry Ericson,” Harmony replied as she wrung her hands.
Ry’s gut churned with anger and worry for the shy, innocent woman who’d healed his cold, broken heart. Virginia Beach wasn’t a large city, but from the sound of things, she’d come from a one-horse town or close to it.
“Will you tell me about him?” Ry tried to soften his voice. Harmony had been through enough for one evening. She didn’t need him making it worse.
“I’d rather not, but I have a feeling you won’t leave me alone until I do. Right?”
Ry smiled. She was scared, but not cowed—yet. “Yup, you’re right. You said we needed to learn about each other.”
Harmony sighed before she answered, “Yes, that’s true. I just hoped I wouldn’t ever have to tell you about home.”
“You won’t scare me away if that’s what you’re worried about,” Ry said gently. Then he pulled her against his side. He’d quickly become addicted to her touch. Her scent.
Her beautiful violet eyes searched his face. He didn’t know what she was looking for, but she must have found it. “Okay. But can we do it inside? I really don’t want to keep looking at my poor car.”
“Sure. And you can pack a bag while we chat.”
“Umm, what? Why would I do that? My car burned up, not my apartment,” Harmony demanded.
“I don’t think you should stay here alone until they figure out who did this. You’re not safe. Whoever it is knows what kind of car you drive and where you’re living.” Ry didn’t plan on backing down. If she didn’t want to stay with him, he’d call one of her friends and she could stay with them.
