Chapter 16

Audrey

It was dark when I woke and heard footsteps downstairs. Fear flashed through me. I suddenly recalled my car was in the garage and Dallas’ SUV was gone from the driveway. From the outside, it would look as if no one were here. I lay still, my heart pounding frantically in my chest as I wondered who was in the house. My bedroom door was closed, and I contemplated whether I could get out of bed to tiptoe over and lock it without anyone hearing me. Molly had fallen asleep at the foot of my bed. She lifted her head and whined softly. I considered shushing her, but then I realized if I let her bark, she might chase away the intruder.

I stayed quiet, barely breathing with my heart racing as I prayed whoever was here would stay downstairs and get whatever they wanted. There was a clatter and then Molly leapt off the bed and barked sharply. A few more barks, and I heard footsteps quickly making their way down the front hall and the door slamming shut.

I grabbed my phone. I should’ve dialed 911. Instead, the first thing I did was text Dallas.

I think someone just broke into the house.

As soon as I sent the text, I wondered what the hell I was doing. There wasn't anything he could do to help. He was in Boston, and I was here. Yet, my instinct had been to reach out to him because somehow he made me feel safe. I stood and carefully looked out the front window. I could see taillights receding in the darkness down the driveway. I quickly dialed 911, reporting the burglary and letting them know the car was taking a left on the road. The other line rang as I was finishing my call. I glanced at the screen to see Dallas’ name flash.

I wished I could undo the text I’d sent. I contemplated whether or not I should answer and then realized it would seem ridiculous if I didn't. I’d just texted him, so it was obvious I was awake.

“Hello,” I answered.

“Are you okay?” he asked quickly.

“I've already called 911. I'm fine. I shouldn't have texted you.”

“What happened?” His voice was low and taut. He sounded almost angry.

“I woke up because I heard footsteps downstairs,” I explained.

“And?” he asked, prompting me to continue.

“Molly barked and whoever was here left.”

“Molly?”

“The dog I texted you about last night.”

As I spoke, she sidled against me, and I stroked her head.

“Oh right. Well, thank God for Molly. What happened after they left?”

“They took a left on the road, which I just told the police. The police said they’re on their way here.”

“I'm driving up there now.”

“Dallas, that's ridiculous. It's three in the morning.”

“Don't argue with me about this, Audrey. I'll be there.”

The line went dead. I stared at my phone. It was absolutely pointless for him to drive four hours right now. I quickly texted him.

There's no need for you to drive here in the middle of the night. The police are already on their way.

I'll be there soon.

I turned and sank down onto the edge of my bed. It shouldn’t have felt so good to know he was coming, but it did. I missed him, and it made no sense. How could I care so much in such a short period of time? With a mental shake, I stood and dragged on a pair of fleece pants. I needed to be halfway decent for when the police arrived.

***

I padded through the kitchen the following morning, starting coffee and checking the fridge for what I might want for breakfast. After my unexpected awakening, the police had stopped by and done a quick check to make sure everything was safe. Whoever had broken in had punched through the window by the kitchen door and unlocked the door that way. I wondered if the sound of breaking glass might've been what originally nudged me out of my sleep. The police had done a walk-through to find nothing missing and assured me they would be patrolling the road for the rest of the night. I barely slept after that. Frankly, I wouldn’t have slept at all if it hadn't been for Molly. Her presence was a comfort.

She was following me around like a new shadow. Her fur was ragged and dull, and she was too thin with her ribs and her hipbones showing. It hurt my heart. I wondered where she’d come from. I’d asked the police last night. None of them had seen her before, and one of them made a passing comment that she might've been a puppy somebody got over the summer and then left behind. She didn't look that old. It was hard to know with her so underweight. When 9 o'clock rolled around, I planned to call the local vet and bring her in as soon as I could.

Meanwhile, I made her more chicken and rice, intending to go to the grocery store today to stock up on dog food. The coffee maker beeped just as there was a sharp knock at the front door. Molly let out a bark and ran to the door. My heart jumped. I couldn’t help but wish for Dallas to arrive. My feelings were all a muddle inside. Dear God. Talk about confused. I had feelings about my feelings.

On the one hand, I wanted Dallas here because I didn't quite feel safe staying here alone after last night. I also missed him like crazy, and I didn't know what to do with how fast I was falling for him. In my fitful hours after the break-in last night, I’d had many a conversation with myself about how ridiculous it was to think I was falling for him. I might've lusted after him for years, but that didn't explain the emotional intensity I felt when I was with him.

I wondered what Thea would think if she knew what had happened. She would probably tell me I was setting myself up for heartbreak. I’d heard her bemoan Dallas’ lack of a social life for years. She worried about him and thought he worked too much. I walked to the door, slid the bolt free and swung it open. Cold air rushed in. Dallas stood there, his dark hair rumpled and his eyes weary. His gaze swept over me, breaking away when Molly barked again.

Dallas knelt down and held his hand out. “You must be the girl who scared the bad guy away last night,” he said softly.

Molly leaned forward, carefully sniffing his hand before sidling up to him. He stroked her head and murmured something.

I tried to tamp my emotions down. My reaction was ridiculous. For God’s sake, he was simply being kind to a dog. Matthew’s dislike of dogs had bothered me. Dallas stood slowly after one last stroke for Molly. Seeing how weary he was made my heart clench. I stepped back, gesturing for him to come in. He toed his boots off, hung his jacket and tossed his bag on the floor. I led the way into the kitchen with Molly following us.

“Come on. I have coffee ready. I can't believe you drove all the way up here in the middle of the night. You really didn't need to,” I said as I poured him a cup of coffee.

He slipped into a chair at the table and ran a hand through his rumpled hair. He eyed me, his rich blue gaze searing me. His jaw was tight, and he looked tense all over. My chest knotted with emotion. I didn’t like seeing him this way. I handed him his coffee and sat down across from him. He took a gulp of coffee and then sighed.

“So what did the police say last night?”

I quickly summarized.

“Any word yet if they ID’d the car?”

“No. I didn't have a car description because it was dark.”

He nodded tightly. “Okay, I'll go talk to Howard today.”

I didn’t particularly want to dwell on last night. Thinking about it made me anxious, and I was relieved everything was okay. My attention swung to him. “How did everything go in Boston?”

“As well as could be expected,” he replied before taking another gulp of coffee.

I wanted to ask more questions, but I reminded myself he didn't have the kind of job he could talk much about. I took another sip of coffee and leaned back in my chair.

“So you’re staying through Christmas?” he asked abruptly.

I stared at him for a long moment and then finally nodded. I supposed when I started hanging Christmas lights, my actions had cemented my plans. That’s what I had planned to do before I knew he was here anyway.

“I think so. If you need to go back to Boston, you should. Seeing as I’m here…”

He shook his head sharply. “No, I'm sticking with my plan. I was asking because Thea wants to come up and persuade Noah and Ian to join us too.”

“That would be fun,” I said. “I’ll call her later today.”

Dallas drained his coffee and stood abruptly, striding to the sink and setting his empty mug beside it. “I could use a shower,” he said before spinning and walking out of the room.

I didn't know what to make of the way he felt. He was tense and seemed irritated. I spun my phone around on the table, pulling up the text he’d sent the other night before I’d texted him about the break in.

I miss you.

I wondered why he'd said that. It didn't seem like he wanted to be back here, most especially not around me. I felt Molly’s warm presence rub against my leg and looked down at her, stroking my palm over her head.

“Hey sweetie. That was Dallas. He loves dogs,” I explained.

Her warm brown eyes held mine as if though she somehow understood what I was saying.