Before he’d gone back to the station, the sheriff and Raptor went upstairs to her apartment to check it out, but nothing had been out of place. He’d be lying if he didn’t admit he was relieved that her apartment hadn’t been touched. He’d had a hard time holding back his anger, Rori wasn’t one of those too stupid to live women, but she sure as hell was stubborn. He had a horrible feeling he was going to be really pissed off by the time she told him everything that had been going on. It had to stop, the fucker needed to be caught. If he was lucky, he’d be the one to catch the guy, and he’d make sure it was the last time he harrassed anyone ever again.

As soon as the sheriff headed back to file the report, they went to the hardware store. The original plan had been for a couple of deadbolts and lightbulbs for the hallway. But now he added paint to cover the back door and a motion activated flood light for the back of the building. He wasn’t taking any more chances. What bothered him most of all was the fear on Rori’s face. It tore him up, and he was in full on protection mode. Only his years of training had stopped him from pulling her into his arms and promising that everything would be okay. But until he figured out who and why he couldn’t make that promise.

After they returned from the hardware store, Raptor got to work. He wasn’t a regular handyman, but he’d been around enough tools in his life to take care of this type of stuff. He’d rechecked the apartment to make sure it was still safe and left Rori upstairs to relax.

“I have to do tomorrow’s prep still.”

“Relax for a bit, let me get this stuff done then I’ll help you. Deal?” It was obvious she wanted to argue, but from the huge dark circles under the deep blue eyes, she was just too tired and freaked out to push it.

“Okay. I’ll see what I can come up with for dinner.”

“Is there a restaurant we can go to instead? I think you’ve been through enough today.”

“The diner…”

“Perfect.”

“But…”

Raptor didn’t even say anything, just gave her the look he’d used on his team members, it never failed to silence any opposition, and it was no different with Rori. Poor kid.

“Fine. Come and get me when you’re done.”

Nodding, he went to work after watching her walk up the stairs to the apartment. Damn she had a fine butt, he’d been teasing her with the honey buns remark, but he’d bet it was the truth. She had curves in all the right places, and his hands itched to explore them all.

“Hey, easy, bro. I’m a friendy.” He’d felt the presence behind him, and pulled his gun and turned in one liquid motion. Hank backed up with his hands in the air. It took Raptor a second or two to stand down, his senses on high alert.

“Sorry. You should know better than to sneak up behind someone.”

“Oh I do, but I figured you heard me.”

“I did. But I didn’t know it was you. And after this…” Raptor stepped away from the door to show Hank the damage. “I wasn’t taking any chances.”

“Can’t say that I blame you. The town is all abuzz about the, and I quote ‘sexy guy working with Rori.’ Everywhere I went today I heard the whispers. Then when I heard the sheriff had been here, I wanted to check on Rori.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me? Seriously? No one said anything that I could hear, but then we were so busy. I couldn’t believe the amount of business she does.”

“I did warn you. She found a niche that needed to be filled in town.”

“I believe it now. Actually, I think I did after trying the strudel last night. But after it went so well in the bakery, in other words, no trouble with broken windows or anything, I was surprised to see this out here. It makes me wonder if it’s the same person. The window was so blatant, but this is hidden behind the building. Not many people would see it. It’s definitely a more personal attack.”

“Agreed. Does Rori have any idea who it could be?”

“Not that she’s said, but I told her we were going to have a talk tonight. Apparently, there have been other issues beside the two you knew about, and now this. You were right to suggest a bodyguard. I don’t have a good feeling about this.”

“Let me know if you need help, I don’t have anyone who could handle this full time, but we can assist if you need it.”

“Thanks, I’ll keep you updated. I’m going to give Chase a call later and see if he can have his computer geek, Alex, do some checking around.”

“Good. I’ll talk to Sadie and see if she can think of anyone from high school who had a beef with Rori. She was always so quiet I can’t imagine it though.”

“She was quiet? She’s one bossy woman now.” He’d heard her come down the stairs and figured a little provocation wouldn’t hurt. He enjoyed it when her eyes flashed, and her cheeks burned with color. Who was he kidding, he couldn’t get enough of any part of her.

“I heard that.”

“What are you doing down here? You’re supposed to be resting.”

“I was hoping you’d be done. There’s a lot of prep to do for tomorrow still. And like you said I need my rest later.”

“It’s only been ten minutes, angel.”

Hank laughed and raised an eyebrow, probably at his use of his nickname for Rori. But Raptor rolled his eyes. “I can stay with her in the bakery while you take care of what you have to.”

“You’ve got time for that?”

“Yeah.”

“Thank you so much. I really do need to get that croissant dough prepped, or there won’t be any for tomorrow.”

“Oh hell. We can’t have that. The town would be in an uproar.”

“There are a few leftover eclairs if you’re hungry.”

“Oh yeah, but only if you promise not to tell Sadie. She’ll make me do an extra two minutes on the treadmill. I want to shoot that damn thing.”

“I’ll take one of those too if you’re offering.”

“Nope, none for you. Don’t you have work to do?” She’d told him, and he howled with laughter as Hank followed her into the bakery. She was everything he’d imagined and more. As much as he wanted to get to the bottom of this, he wasn’t in a hurry to get back to Florida.

For now, he needed to get his “chores” done so he could take his stubborn angel to dinner.

***

“You two getting along okay?”

Rori turned to give Hank an assessing look. If it were Sadie, she’d come clean about her feelings, but no way was she going there with Hank. “Yeah, for the most part. When he’s not being a stubborn pig-headed man.”

“You mean like all of us?” He was right, Sadie complained about the same things, and Rori laughed, really laughed for the first time in a while. It’s when she realized how worried she’d been about everything. Today, except for being exhausted from lack of sleep, had been a good day, and fun with Raptor, until they’d found the mess on her door.

“I guess so. But did you have to find the worst of the worst for my bodyguard?”

“Hey, he was available. You have to take what you can get,” Hank said with a laugh. “Now how about one of those eclairs?”

“You got it, and I’ll pack up a couple for you to take home to Sadie and Emma.”

“I have to share? That’s just not right.”

Rori turned to answer and laughed when she saw his chocolate mustache. “Don’t even go there. Not if you know what’s good for you. And if you don’t wipe your face, she’s sure to figure it out anyway.”

“It’s your fault.”

“You can keep telling yourself that, but I just create I don’t force anyone to eat them.” Only half kidding, she appreciated how Eagle Rock had welcomed her little bakery. It could have just as easily not succeeded. Her bakery carried treats and not necessities, and as far as she knew there’d been nothing like it in town. Too bad there was that one person who had to make problems, at least she hoped it was only one.

Not knowing how long she had before Raptor would be done, she got to rolling out the croissant dough, it was a tedious task, but one she enjoyed. In her classes, she’d strived to be the best, with the lightest dough, the creamiest custards, richest fondant, and usually succeeded. It had caused some issues with some of her classmates, but she never let it bother her. She’d almost forgotten about all of that, it seemed like a lifetime ago. But it made her wonder if it was one of them. Why would they come all this way to cause trouble? It had to be someone local, but who?

The croissants were ready for baking and put in the refrigeration to set for the night. Stepping back and admiring the trays of pastries like an artist admired a painting she smiled followed by a huge yawn.

Gathering the empty containers, trays and mixing bowls, she dumped them into the sink. It was then she realized Hank was on his cell phone. Was she so tired she’d never heard it ring? Rather than make noise with the dishes, she went into the main bakery area to give him some privacy.

With one of her signature pink and black boxes she picked out some cookies to bring upstairs for after dinner. She planned on convincing Raptor that it would be easier to stay in tonight. The last thing she wanted to do was go to the diner, especially after this afternoon’s discovery. It could be any of the towns people, and it freaked her out more than a little.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

Rori jumped and almost dropped the box of cookies. “Do you have to always sneak up on me?”

“Oh no, don’t turn this on me, angel. You were supposed to stay with Hank, and I find you alone out here.”

“C’mon, you can’t be serious. He’s just in the kitchen.”

“And anyone could have grabbed you without him realizing.”

“Does this mean you’re going to follow me into the bathroom now too?”

“Hmmm, maybe the shower,” Raptor said as he waggled his eyebrows, and she worked hard to hold back the giggle. When he did that thing with his eyebrows, it made his scar more noticeable. She’d had to stop herself a few times from asking if it was from the night he’d rescued her, but it looked newer than that. It wouldn’t be polite to ask, but she wondered just the same.

“You’re terrible.”

“No, angel, I’m very, very good.” Now he did it, her cheeks had to be flaming from the heat emanating from them, and they weren’t the only thing getting hot.

Before she could think of how to answer, Hank came in from the kitchen.

“I’m sorry. I have to go, problems with another case. Are you all set, Raptor?”

“Yup, thanks for helping out.”

“No problem. Let me know if there are any new developments.”

“Don’t forget the box of eclairs,” Rori reminded him.

“As if.”

“Do you want to inspect my handwork?”

“Can I finish washing up first?”

“Is that all that’s left to do?”

“Yup. Then I’m done for the day.”

“Good. I’ll help.”

She was thankful he didn’t keep up his earlier teasing. It had to be all it was, right? He was a professional, there’s no way he’d sleep with a client. Damn. Where had that thought come from? It had been close to two years since she’d had any kind of physical interaction with anyone until that kiss. It had to be the reason why she was twisted up like a pretzel.