Page 70 of Her Hidden Smile

Someone was trying to break in. Not that it was possible with the deadbolt.

Shit, why hadn’t I had Simon pack my gun?

I raced to the security panel near the front door that operated the gate and slammed the button for the flood lights. I peered out the front window and didn’t see a vehicle. Then I raced back to the kitchen. There was a window over her sink that allowed me to see out to her lavender fields and back porch. Millie’s fence extended all around her house, with a back gate that opened to her lavender field. It was possible the intruder came from the back road past the pond.

I didn’t see anyone jumping the fence. But I could swear I saw someone running through the lavender field. I went back to Millie’s bedroom and quietly grabbed my cell phone. This time when I left the room, I closed the door.

I knew it called for rain tomorrow and I didn’t want it to wash away the tracks, so I called the sheriff’s department. I hoped Duncan wouldn’t be working, he was an idiot. If he was, I was going to call Rivers on his cell. I hated to do that to the sheriff, but taking middle of the night calls was part of the job.

When I got through to the sheriff’s office, dispatch was going to put me through to Duncan. I asked if there was anybody else available, and they said no. I hung up and dialed Nash River’s cell. He answered on the second ring. For the middle of the night, he sounded somewhat awake. Not bad.

“Rivers,” he answered.

“Sheriff, this is Renzo Drakos. I’m over here at the Randolph farm. Somebody just tried to break in. He ran off through the back field toward whatever the name of that little road is past the pond.”

“Doesn’t have a name. It’s Lancaster’s Private Road. Call into the sheriff’s office, they’ll send someone out to get some plaster casts before tomorrow’s rain and fingerprints. They’ll check anything else out.”

“Duncan’s the only one on duty,” I told him.

I heard a muffled “Fuck.”

“Give me an hour. Gotta get to the office and get a couple of extra supplies that aren’t in my truck,” Nash sighed.

“Why haven’t you gotten rid of him? Besides being an idiot, he’s a pain in your ass.”

“He’s the mayor’s nephew. Election’s next year. I’ve got my fingers crossed. Loretta King is planning on running against the old fart. If she wins, Duncan is out on his ass.”

I chuckled. Small town politics.

“Hanging up now. I’ll see you in an hour,” Nash said.

I went over to the coffee maker and started a pot.

I woke up when Renzo slid into bed. The sun was coming up and I realized I’d had one of the best nights’ sleeps of my life. He pulled me into his arms and kissed me.

“Good morning, beautiful,” he whispered.

“Good morning, handsome.”

“What would you like for breakfast?”

I stretched and considered his question. “I don’t have anything frozen for breakfast, so how are you going to manage?”

His hand brushed against my ribs and I giggled.

“Smartass, I have been cooking for myself for years. And I see you have my same penchant for bacon, so we’re good. How about waffles, eggs, and bacon?”

“Uhm, you can have all that. How about I have a waffle?”

“Sounds good. I cut up your strawberries, so you can have it with strawberries and whip cream.”

“You cut up my strawberries? All of my dreams have come true.”

He caressed my cheek. “I thought all of your dreams came true last night.” I could tell he enjoyed seeing me blush.

“Get up and come into the kitchen with me.”

I frowned. “How about you give me twenty, and then I’ll meet you. I like to shower in the mornings. That and a cup of coffee get me moving.”