Page 11 of My Mountain Man Rescuer

“Why? Can’t it wait?”

He shook his head. “Afraid not.” His solemn expression hinted that something else had happened after I left Blood Moon Manor. He seemed subdued. Serious.

I clenched the knife I was holding behind my back. “What happened?”

“It’s best if I come in.”

I almost hesitated, but he owned the property. What would the point be in refusing?

When I stepped back, he entered and closed the door. As he turned around, his gaze caught the knife in my hand. His brows shot up before he smirked. “Did you think the killer would knock?”

Oh, he enjoyed sarcasm. Wonderful. “Aren’t you funny?”

Before he could respond, the tea kettle began to whistle. The loud sound seemed to be too much for my nervous system. I jolted, shrieking as my free hand rested over my heart.

Beau tilted his head as he stared at me. “Sweetheart, you’re spooked. Why don’t I take that knife and place it back in the butcher block?”

I shook my head.

“No? Okay. How about I sit on the sofa while you get your tea? Stay outta your way. Yeah?”

That I could agree with. “All right.”

He moved slowly, with purpose, but kept me in his line of sight as he sat on the leather cushion. Leaning back, he draped one arm across the top. He lifted his leg and rested one ankle over his knee. Unhurried. Calm. Who the hell was this guy?

I poured a mug full of hot water, added a little honey, and then a peppermint tea bag. When I carried the mug and the knife with me into the living space, he watched without a word. Only when I finally sat across from him, placing the knife to my side, did he finally speak.

“You’re scared.”

“Thank you, Captain Obvious.”

“I think it’s wise to be alert. Things have escalated with the killer.”

Escalated? Oh, no! “Did he kill again?”

“Yes.”

I didn’t want to ask, but I also needed to know. “Who? Another young person attending a haunted house?”

“As a matter of fact, yes. A visitor to the Blood Moon Manor. Tonight.”

My gut churned with apprehension. “When?”

“Around the time we reached my truck, and I followed you back here.”

Trembling, I set the mug on the coffee table. I couldn’t hold it without spilling the tea. Pushing a loose strand of my hair behind my ear, I sucked in a deep breath. “Tell me.”

“I have a question for you first. It’s important,” he added as I frowned.

“Okay.”

“Did anything happen tonight? Something that seemed odd or suspicious?”

“Suspicious, how?”

“Did you talk to anyone? Bump into a guy who seemed unusually focused on you?”

“What kind of question. . . wait.” I lifted my hands to my mouth, shocked as I remembered the man inside the haunted house. The one who stood close to me and stared. “Oh, no. Yes. I did have a weird interaction with one of the staff.”