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Darren leaned forward, close enough to rest his forehead against hers. “What if I’d lost you again?”
“You won’t,” she said. Those words shouldn’t have warmed him as much as they did.
“I can’t,” he said, unsure how wise the statement was under the circumstances. It covered more than the bastard who was after her. And yet, he had no idea if he could, or should, try to open his heart, even a little.
Chapter Seventeen
With Darren standing so close, it would be easy to reach out and touch him. So Reese did. She grabbed a fistful of his shirt and held her hand against his chest. The feel of his rapid heartbeat against her fingers reminded her they were both very alive.
“I can’t even think about anything happening to you, especially on my watch,” Darren said against her lips.
Taking what she wanted, Reese pressed her mouth to his. A knock sounded at the back door, startling her. She took a step back.
“That must be Buster,” Darren said as someone put a key in the lock mechanism. “He still knocks first even though he has a key.”
“Should I set another plate?” She immediately turned toward the cabinet so Buster wouldn’t see the flush to her cheeks.
“We can ask but he usually turns me down,” he said.
Buster entered the room, then closed and locked the door behind him. Clearly, he was in the loop on what had been going on. His gaze moved from Darren to Reese. Buster was in his mid-to-late sixties. His skin was sun worn, his hair as black as night. Wise, pale blue eyes studied her with compassion. “It’s good to see you here, Reese.”
With that, he walked straight over to her and brought her into a hug. He smelled like leather and hay, with a dash of spice.
“It’s really good to see you again, Buster.” A tear escaped and rolled down her cheek before she could suppress it. She tucked her chin to her chest when more broke free, and sniffled. “Are you hungry?” Reese immediately turned away from him.
“Nah,” Buster said.
“Thank you for taking care of the house,” Darren said to Buster after a bear hug.
“I’m relieved the girls weren’t there,” Buster said. He had a gun tucked into a holster in the back of his jeans. Was that new? She didn’t remember him carrying before. Then again, Darren’s mother wasn’t the type to allow a loaded gun inside her home. “Where are they now?”
“With their grandparents,” Darren answered.
“Is this the longest you’ve gone without seeing them?” Buster asked.
Darren nodded. “They’re coming home at noon tomorrow. And by home, I mean we’re moving back here. It’s time.”
“Yes, it is,” Buster agreed with a broad smile. “Your folks would be pleased, if you don’t mind my saying so.”
“It means a lot coming from you,” Darren said. His comment pleased Buster, based on the smile on his face.
“Are you sure you’re not hungry?” Reese asked.
“I just ate before I came,” he said. “But, please, sit down and eat your meal before it gets cold.”
“There’s fresh coffee,” Reese added. That got Buster’s attention and approval. He walked over to the cabinet, grabbed a mug and then poured himself a cup before turning around and leaning against the bullnose edge of the counter.
Reese and Darren took a seat at the table and passed around the bowls. The food was good if she did say so herself. Simple but tasty. It reminded her of home, because this happened to be something her mother would throw in the Crock-Pot and let simmer on low for hours, filling the house with good smells.
Funny, she’d forgotten all about the food. Why was it so easy to remember every harsh word spoken and so easy to forget all the really good stuff, like Christmases around the tree in the living room? Baking cookies for half the afternoon on Christmas Eve while her mother’s favorite holiday movie played in the background.It’s a Wonderful Lifewas a staple during the holidays. As wereElfandThe Grinch Who Stole Christmas.
It was probably the fact that it was December that had her feeling nostalgic. But she was happy to find so many good memories tucked in the back of her mind. Maybe it was time they came to the forefront, rather than replaying all those fights she’d overheard with Duncan and her siblings. Reese knew better than to go head-to-head with the man, especially after he’d methodically run off every last one of her siblings. Now that she knew the truth, she might never forgive him for breaking up the family and causing her mother so much pain.
“What do you know about Aiden Archer?” Darren finally asked Buster.
“Not too much,” he said, pressing his lips together while he seemed to be reaching deep into his thoughts. “The Archers were a tight-knit bunch—none of them were to my liking.”
“Are they jerks or criminals?” Darren asked.
