Page 45 of Then Came You

“Well, I don’t know for sure, but females have a way of provoking males, so I just assumed.”

“Are we still talking about squirrels?”

He laughed, but then he turned serious. “About what happened last night. I hope you don’t think I was taking advantage of the situation. I came over to check out your place, not—”

“Kiss me?”

“Well, yeah. Not that I didn’t enjoy it, because I obviously did.”

She smiled. For such a big, virile man, he could be surprisingly shy.

“I enjoyed it too, Sam, in case you couldn’t tell. And the answer is no, I didn’t think you were taking advantage. I’d never think that of you.”

“Good. So, about our date. When are you free this week?”

“I’ll check my schedule when I get to the store, and I’ll let you know.”

“Okay. And don’t forget to call a home security company. They might not be open today, but you can at least leave a message.”

“I will.” She’d probably sleep better once she had a security system installed, but that would also mean she wouldn’t have any late-night visits from Sam. Still, just knowing he was looking out for her was comforting.

Then came a knock on her front door, and it startled her. She didn’t usually get visitors this early on a Sunday morning, and she felt a surge of fear until she realized that an intruder probably wouldn’t knock on the front door. Plus, Cocoa was outside, and she hadn’t heard him bark.

“Gillian? Are you still there?”

“Somebody’s at my front door.”

“Look through the peephole, and I’ll stay on the line.”

She’d already stood up and was moving into the living room when the knock came again. She peered through the peephole and saw Stella standing there.

“It’s Stella,” she whispered into the phone.

Sam breathed a sigh of relief. “Are you going to answer it?”

“I guess I should. I’ll call you later.”

After a quick goodbye, Gillian plastered on a smile and swung open the door. “Morning, Stella.”

“Oh, thank God you’re alright.”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” Remembering her manners, Gillian decided to invite her inside. “Come on in for a minute.” She’d added the qualifier hoping Stella would take the hint.

Stella stepped inside and glanced around the living room as if she expected someone else to be there.

“Would you like a cup of coffee?”

“Sure, if you don’t mind.”

Gillian turned and moved toward the kitchen, tightening her robe as she went. Stella sat down at the kitchen table while Gillian refilled her coffee and poured a fresh mug for her.

“Cream or sugar?” Gillian asked as she set the steaming mug in front of Stella.

“No thanks.”

Gillian sat down across from her and waited for her to explain why she was there.

“I had trouble sleeping last night…”