Page 25 of Protect My Heart

“Well, you wouldn’t be much of a cop if you hadn’t.” She was calmer now. The color on her cheeks wasn’t solely from the cold anymore. No gray on the edges.

“I shouldn’t have done the search.”

“It’s okay. At least I don’t have to worry about you coddling me like my family does.”

Doc didn’t need coddling, but he wouldn’t mind a little cuddling.

She shivered. He encircled her hands with his and tucked them in his jacket. She looked up at him, her lips inches away. Tears crystalized on her lashes. Her white puff of breath kissed his chin.

He could dip the slightest bit and claim her lips. Her lashes dropped. His did too. Then he heard it. Teeth chattering.

Damn, so much for cuddling. He gave her arms a brisk rub before pulling back.

“Well.” Jim jumped down from the tailgate. “You’re looking better. Shall we go before you freeze to death?”

She took his outstretched hand. “Yes, and Jim... thank you.”

He gave a curt bow and opened her door before walking around to his side. “I’m starved. You want lunch?”

Her eyes widened and her hand flew to her stomach.

His roaring laugh filled the truck cab as he started the engine. “So, no. Too bad, I know a great spicy Tex-Mex place a few miles from here. They have the best green sauce with just the right amount of zip.”

Doc’s hand flew to her mouth. She gave a little head shake then abruptly stopped. “No.”

“Okey dokey. I’d rather you not hurl in my new truck.”

She smacked his arm. Jim didn’t even flinch. Yup, Doc had grit.

As he pulled up in front of the Whittier house, Jim noticed a box on the front step. Probably an innocent package. Doc shouldn’t mind if he walked her to the door to see who it was for. At least, that’s what he told her, but his gut bubbled with awareness. Some called it a sixth sense, others being cautious. Jim called it being a cop.

“I’m fine. You don’t need to escort me to the door.”

“My mama raised me to be a gentleman.” Jim took the box of her father’s belongings from her hands and offered his arm.

Doc’s brow quirked up, but she placed her hand on his arm and let him lead her down the sidewalk. At the door, she lowered to pick up the shoe-sized box. A tightness gripped Jim’s neck. He didn’t want her to touch it. It was silly. The package could be for anyone.

“I haven’t ordered anything lately.” She shook the box.

Without thought, Jim let the box in his hands slip to the ground, and he took the one from her hands. “Let me see that.”

“Hey, I’m sure it’s—”

No return address. No shipping label either. The only marking on the brown paper was Doc’s name in bold black marker. “Who knows you’re staying here?”

“Other than my mother and my old boss in Florida, no one. Why?” She leaned in to get a closer look at the words.

“Anyone local who would drop something off?”

“No. Jim, you’re scaring me.” She wrapped her arms around her waist. “Let’s go inside and I’ll open it. I’m sure it’s nothing.”

With one last inspection of the box, Jim nodded and followed her inside the house. After retrieving the box of her father’s effects from the front step, he joined her at the table.

“Really, you’re in full on cop-mode and while I think it’s kind of sexy, it makes me laugh.” She took her fingernail and slipped it under the tape at the end. Neatly, she removed the paper and revealed the shoe box. “Drumroll please.”

His gut churned. He wanted to pull her back from the box and he couldn’t put a finger on the reason why. As she lifted the lid, he braced for action, but the only thing that moved was Doc. She reached in and pulled out a fluffy stuffed bear.

“It’s Winnie the Pooh. I love Pooh bear.” Her smile was half amusement and half confusion. “Who would send me a stuffed animal?”