Page 154 of Cautious Love

I nod, keeping my poker face. “I’m not angry. But why didn’t you tell me earlier? I would have … gone about things a lot differently.” Though I don’t think marrying her would have been one of them, as reckless as that sounds.

“How? I know I’m a witness to something that could hurt the Kensingtons. The only reason they didn’t bury me out in the pasture was because I was Grey’s girlfriend. I don’t have that protection anymore. But after he hit me, I thought maybe they figured that was threat enough to keep me silent. Then I married you and moved in, and I thought it was fine because we were quiet about it, and being the Sheriff’s wife definitely helps. Then…”

I pinch my lips together. “Then what?”

“I think the whole town knows we’re married,” she sighs. “But I was the one who wore my wedding ring. I could have kept that a secret, which may have helped in the long run.”

“I thought marrying you would help more than put you in danger. I didn’t think it could…” I trail off and brush a hand over my face.

I messed up. I did the one thing I tried to ensure never happens, and I failed her.

“You didn’t know Ledger. This isn’t all on you. I didn’t tell you, this is on me.”

But I can’t take it back. All I can do is fix it. She’s mine, friends or not, and she needs to be protected now more so than ever. But I don’t know how else to make sure no one gets to her when she isn’t living across the hall. It’s not like Paxton County has safe houses available.

“I didn’t want you to get hurt either,” she says, bringing me out of my thoughts.

I frown, wondering how she would come to that conclusion.

She looks me in the eye and proceeds to roll hers. “You might beSuperman,but you’re not invincible, Ledge,” she whispers, cupping my face with her soft hand.

I lean into her touch, turning to kiss her palm. “What are you getting at? Are you talking about the house?” I ask her.

She nods. “Then someone from the Kensingtons came from the diner a couple of days ago. It’s why I left. I think Grey was warning me again because I’m sure he assumed I ratted, and if he tried to kill me while I was living with you, that would be far too obvious, you know?”

“You scared him,” I mutter.

She huffs. “I didn’t agree to take your offer to stay with you because of this.”

“I didn’t think you did, but that explains why I can’t find him,” I mutter.

“I’m sorry I’m doing this now, but after everything, and we …”

“Thank you for telling me.”

She nods and reaches for Dozer.

“Are you sure you’re going to be okay? Now I really don’t like the thought of you living here without …”

“Without you?” she finishes for me.

“I don’t like it, Shy. For a multitude of reasons. But also because …” I trail off, unable to say the words again, and I’m man enough to admit that it would hurt too much to hear her shut me down again.

“Not many people know I live here. I have a gun. I’ll be okay. I promise.”

I sigh. “I get that, I do, but I don’t have to tell you that nothing is a secret in this town.”

“I’m being careful. I keep an eye out. I’ll be fine.”

I lean against the wall as Dozer nips at my finger, trying to get me to play with him. No one would expect Shiloh to be on Hayes property, and if I explain the situation to Mom, she’d be fine with it.

But if the Kensingtons have been watching Shiloh and me take her to the ranch, that exposes my family, and I can’t let that happen.

She’s a high-profile witness who could be the final nail in the Kensington coffin.

“Would you be willing to say what you told me on record?”

Shiloh huffs. “You’re joking, right? What about our spousal privilege?”