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The sooner Rex got there to act as a buffer, the better.

“That looks amazing.” He nearly jumped when Fiona came up beside him. Why was she so close? Didn’t she realize she was driving him crazy?

“It’s nothing fancy. Just a frozen pizza.” He wondered if she’d ever eaten something so plain and simple before spending time with him. “Do you have your antibiotic?”

“Right here.” She swept the pill bottle off the counter. Her smile was broad, as if they hadn’t recently escaped through a cemetery after being run off the road by the black SUV.

“Great.” He turned back to the oven. The pizza was now golden brown. Reaching for the hot pads, he quickly removed the pizza and set it on the cardboard backing it came with. “Have a seat.” He reached for the round pizza slicer. “I’ll bring this to the table.”

“Doc.” She put a hand on his arm. He turned to look at her. “I want to thank you for everything you’re doing for me.”

“No need.” His voice sounded gruff to his own ears. “I’m not doing a stellar job of keeping you safe, but once Rex gets here, things will improve.”

“You’re the only reason I’m still alive.” Her expression was serious now. “Please don’t minimize your efforts.”

He couldn’t seem to tear his gaze away from hers. He tried to come up with something to say, but his mind went blank.

All he could think was how badly he wanted to kiss her.

Seeking the willpower to do what was right, he eased backward but didn’t get far with the counter behind him.

“Fiona . . .” His voice trailed off when she stepped closer. He dropped the pizza slicer. His arms encircled her waist of their own accord, before his brain could register what he was doing.

She stepped into his arms and wrapped her arms around his neck, drawing him down for a kiss. It was their first real kiss, and he couldn’t help himself from enjoying every last second of their embrace.

The kiss was over far too quickly. It wasn’t until Fiona stepped away that he realized his phone was ringing.

Feeling dazed and off balance, he pulled the device from his pocket, relieved to recognize Rex’s cell number. “Hey, where are you?”

“What’s wrong? You sound distracted.”

Either his boss had noticed his somewhat hoarse voice or the former army captain had X-ray vision. He cleared his throat. “Nope, all good. We’re getting ready to eat pizza for the second time today.”

“I’m halfway through Illinois,” Rex said. “Traffic isn’t too bad. But did you hear the news?”

For a moment, he had no idea what Rex was talking about. Then he remembered the race. “Yeah, we heard Savior’s Journey was scratched and that Fiona’s Folly won the race.”

“Yes, those things are both true, but that’s not what I meant. I just heard a news report that the outcome of the race is being challenged by Howard Lock, the owner of Savior’s Journey,” Rex said.

Doc glanced at Fiona, who was watching him closely. “On what grounds is he challenging the outcome? I mean, Savior’s Journey didn’t race. His horse was the one who had been drugged. It’s not like he can blame Liam Murphy for that.”

“That’s exactly what Howard is saying. He’s accusing Liam of cheating and wants a full investigation into the death of his trainer and the drugging of his horse.”

Fiona stepped closer as if sensing the topic of discussion was her father. Doc held her gaze, then decided she deserved to hear the truth. He repeated what he’d been told for her benefit. “You heard on the news that Howard Lock is accusing Liam Murphy of murder and drugging his horse, Savior’s Journey, just so that he could win a million dollars.”

“Yes. And that makes me think that Liam Murphy is the guy responsible for going after Fiona. I’m not sure heading to the farm is a good idea. Not after this.”

Doc could understand Rex’s concern, yet he also felt certain that going to the farm was their best chance at finding answers.

They needed Fiona to remember everything as soon as possible.

11

Hearing Doc repeat what he’d heard from Rex, that her father was a suspect in Calvin Jacobson’s murder, hit Fiona hard. Why, she wasn’t sure. It was what she and Doc had suspected all along, but knowing the media had picked up the story and that the owner of Savior’s Journey was threatening legal action made it all too real.

She turned away, feeling sick. It was hard to ignore the fact that her own father had hired men to kill her.

“I disagree with you about heading to the Murphy farm,” Doc said. “We either need proof of her father’s involvement or for Fiona’s memory to return before we can eliminate the threat. Suspecting her father of murder isn’t good enough.”