Page 22 of Rescuing Macie

“Hey, hon. How’s your day been?”

“Good. Yours? You’re home early.”

“I am. I thought we could go on a trip this weekend, if you wanted to.”

Macie froze. A trip? Together? Would they stay in the same hotel room?

It was a stupid thought. They’d been sleeping in Colt’s bed together since she’d moved in. It wasn’t sexual, and as the days passed, she got more and more unsatisfied with the status quo. She had no idea how to let Colt know she was ready for more. Didn’t want to do anything that might change the comfortable relationship they had. And if she initiated sex, and he didn’t want it, she’d be embarrassed and have to move back to her apartment.

As if he could sense her inner turmoil, Colt strode toward her. Macie loved seeing him in his uniform. He looked confident and strong, things that were the complete opposite of how she felt most of the time.

“If you’d rather, we can stay here like we did last weekend,” he reassured her as he tucked a piece of hair behind her ear gently. “I just thought you could use a change of pace. You’ve been cooped up in my house almost since you moved in.”

“I like your house,” she blurted.

“I know you do, hon. And I like you in my house, but I’d like to take us both away for a weekend. The detective in Lampasas hasn’t found Teddy yet, though after your place was broken into again, they’ve really stepped up their searches. I reserved a room at the Four Seasons in Austin. I requested a view of Lady Bird Lake and the Congress Avenue Bridge so we could watch the bats leave at dusk to go feed.”

Macie had heard of the famous bats of Austin. It was said that over a million bats lived under the bridge and came out every night at dusk to feed. She’d wanted to go see the phenomenon, but hadn’t ever made the time.

Colt went on. “They have an aquarium in Austin that we could do, or we could take a tour of the downtown area. Sixth Street is always an option too. They have a huge multi-block party every weekend, complete with live bands, but I wasn’t sure that would be your thing. The stores down there are pretty eclectic, and we could wander around during the day if you wanted. The bottom line is that I just want to spend time with you, Macie. One on one. Continue to get to know you. Have some fun.”

Macie took a deep breath and nodded. “I’d like that.”

“But?” Colt asked.

Macie smiled a little and shook her head. “How can you read me so well?”

“Because I pay attention. What part of my plans do you not like? Nothing is set in stone. We can change things up however you want.”

“There’s a store called Uncommon Objects in Austin. One of the authors I work for told me about it. It’s an antique store, but it’s apparently so much more than that. They have all sorts of stuff, but what I’d really like to get my hands on are the antique photos. Real photos of real people. Memories that are lost to those who experienced them, but I can only imagine the stories that will run through my head when I see them.”

Colt was smiling at her and had a look in his eyes that she couldn’t interpret. “Of course we can go there.”

“And there’s a restaurant called Bacon that I want to go to. I saw a rerun of an episode of Food Paradise on the Travel Channel that featured it. They make all different kinds of flavored bacon. I think it would be fun to visit.”

The indulgent look hadn’t left Colt’s face. “I’ve been there. And you’re right, the food is amazing. But hon, I have bad news.”

“What?” Macie asked.

“They closed.”

“Seriously?”

“Yeah. A couple years ago. I guess the street it was on frequently flooded, and they got tired of it. They were supposed to open in a new location, but I haven’t heard if they’ve done that or not.”

“Well, darn,” Macie said.

“I’ll make you bacon if you want it, Mace,” Colt told her.

“It won’t be the same,” she said with a pout.

Colt chuckled. “True. We’ll see if we can find another place that sells kick-ass bacon while we’re there. How’s that? The city’s well known for their eclectic, independently run restaurants.”

“Okay.”

“So you’ll go with me?”

Macie looked up at Colt and said seriously, “I think I’d go anywhere with you.”