Page 21 of August’s Cowboy Braxton

Hell, she was right. I did want to kiss her again. I wanted to carry her upstairs and find out what she’d sound like when she let go of that perfect smile completely.

But I also wanted to keep her safe. And I couldn't do both.

Before I could say anything, the security system reconnected. My phone gave off a high-pitched beep…. a notification from the motion-activated camera I’d set up at the community center.

Addison scrambled off my lap and grabbed my phone from the coffee table. “Does that mean someone's there?”

I took the phone from her and pulled up the app. Grainy night-vision footage showed a figure moving through the storage area with a flashlight. They had on a rain jacket with the hood up, making it impossible to see their face.

"We need to go." Addison was already moving toward the door.

I grabbed my truck keys and followed.

The roads were slick and flooding in low spots. I drove faster than I should have, hydroplaning twice before we hit the main stretch into town.

Addison gripped the door handle but didn't tell me to slow down.

The community center parking lot was empty. Whoever had triggered the motion sensor was either still inside or had already gotten away. I parked close to the entrance and got out.

The front door was unlocked. Inside, the heritage storage area door stood open. Emergency lighting cast everything in sickly yellow.

The album was gone, along with whoever had taken it.

Addison walked past me into the storage area like she was wading through deep water. She knelt where the album had been and touched the empty shelf.

"She wouldn't."

I checked the back exit. It was still locked from the inside. Which meant whoever took the album left through the front and left before we even arrived.

"Addison. Look at me."

She did. Her eyes were too bright. Her hands shook.

“The tracker was in your crown case. Evie had access to it. She knew you were working with the heritage material, and she knew about the photograph before most people did.”

“That doesn't mean she took it.”

“No.”

I blinked at him.

Braxton’s expression stayed hard. “It means I’m not taking her off the list because you don’t want her on it.”

“She’s my mentor.”

“I know.”

“She’s the only person who’s been there for me since I started this.”

“I know that too.”

“Then stop looking at me like I’m stupid for believing her.”

“I don’t think you’re stupid.” His voice softened. “I think you trust her. Those aren’t the same thing.”

"So why would she do this?"

"I don't know yet. But we're going to find out."