Page 146 of Beneath the Quiet

“He’s been phoning his mother, and I get the sense that he’s putting pressure on her to tell him where I am.”

“Why does she even know of your location?”

I raise my head and close my eyes. “Nellie accidentally let it slip when I first moved here. She didn’t mean to, but the words couldn’t be taken back. Dot promised she wouldn’t say anything to him, and we believed her.”

“And yet you chose to stay?” His raised voice makes me stop pacing. “Even when the chicken was left on your doorstep, you didn’t think it would be better if you left?”

“No. Nobody chases me away, Sir.”

He sputters but then sighs. “Fine. Text me her number, and I’ll phone her, see what I can get out of her.”

“Will do. And…thank you.”

“Sure.”

I end the call and walk with purpose, my head strictly on police business, to find Aidan.

I’ve got work to do, and it better not spoil the rest of my date with the man of my dreams.

All the way on the drive home, I try not to let Aidan see how rattled I still feel. I hold on tightly to the locket hanging around my neck, needing to find my strength.

“I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Aidan’s fierce promise sends my pulse racing.

“I won’t let anything happen to me, Aidan. I can take care of myself.”

He takes his eyes off the road to meet mine, and I gasp from the fierce protection that shines back at me. “I know, but…”

“But what?”

“When are you going to let me take care of you?”

I give him a small smile. “Maybe once all this is over, I’ll let you take the reins for a while.”

He chuckles and raises our linked hands, placing a kiss on my knuckles. “I’ll make sure you don’t forget.”

I watch his profile, needing to reassure myself that he’s here. And that right now, he’s safe.

He’s mine. And I’m his.

“Hey, Farmer?” I call out softly to him.

“Yeah?”

“Thank you for taking me on a date. I’ve had a wonderful day with you.”

He squeezes my hand still in his and turns on the indicator when we reach the town sign. “Anything for you.”

Chapter Thirty-Four

Maeve

“How do you feel about take-out tonight?”

I close the door and watch Aidan as he rounds the front of the car.

I raise my eyebrows. “Are we having dinner together?”