Logan had that boyish grin on his face so clearly he wasn’t worried. He’d spent the last couple of days helping her hang ceiling fans and replacing the kitchen backsplash with copper tiles. In fact, she’d been surprised to find how handy he was around the house and he didn’t complain a bit about his babysitting job, whether it was her or the house he was watching. She had to admire his “embrace each day and laugh about it” attitude.

“Nothing that interesting, I’m afraid. We’re going to take a break today. I have to meet the flooring company this morning. They’re coming to measure and give me an estimate for refinishing the hardwood. Then I need to go to the grocery store because we’re out of almost everything, unless you two want to eat cereal for dinner tonight.”

Both men vigorously shook their heads. Jason and Logan had healthy appetites and frankly so did she. It didn’t hurt that they raved about everything she cooked, whether it was as simple as waffles or as complex as a chocolate soufflé.

“So it’s a day of rest? I can live with that. We can go see a movie or something if Jason isn’t back yet.”

Jason tossed the newspaper aside. “If I can’t find Barnes I won’t be gone long. This case has come to a grinding halt. Anita didn’t see who shot her and we have no new evidence. Just a bunch of theories we can’t prove.”

She’d been thinking about that very thing last night as Jason had finally fallen asleep around midnight. The fact was she couldn’t live here forever. No matter how nice that sounded. Jason hadn’t said anything these last few days but the question of what they were going to do about her living arrangements was going to rear its ugly head eventually. They couldn’t go on as they were now. At some point she was going to have to suck it up and move back to her house whether it was dangerous or not.

“I’ve been thinking about that. Maybe I should move back to my house as a sort of bait. My presence there might bring out whoever broke in and lead us to the killer if they’re not one and the same person.”

“No,” Logan and Jason practically shouted in unison. Jason looked horrified at the suggestion and even the laid back Logan appeared alarmed.

“I don’t think we’re desperate enough to use an innocent young woman as bait for a multiple murderer. Holy hell, woman, that’s the craziest idea I’ve ever heard.” Jason slapped his forehead and stood so he was hovering over her. “We will solve this eventually but we don’t need to put you in harm’s way to do it.”

“It was just an idea,” she replied weakly. “I can’t stay here forever. No one solved the original murder. What if you can’t get him again?”

Jason looked so affronted she immediately wanted to take her words back. “I always get my man, Brinley. I realize you’re not familiar with my body of work but I dig until I find what I’m looking for. I can assure you Logan and Jared are the same. We’ll get him. I’m sorry that you can’t stay in your own home, but until we know what’s going on here I just can’t take any chances.”

Before she could apologize he’d slapped his cowboy hat on his head and snatched up his keys from the counter. He was striding out the door when she finally found her voice.

“Jason, wait a minute.”

“Got to go.” He didn’t turn back but he did pause. “I’ll call later and let you know how it’s going.”

He headed out the door but this time she was ready for it. She grabbed his arm just as he hit the bottom front porch step.

“Please wait.” She tugged at his shirt until he looked at her. The hurt she saw in his eyes almost took her breath away. She’d insulted him and she hadn’t meant to. “Listen, I’m really sorry. I’ve got a big mouth and I let it run this morning. I know you’re going to catch this guy. You’re so close. I just feel like I’m imposing by staying with you. I’m sure you like your privacy and now I’ve got makeup crap all over your bathroom.”

*

Brinley had no earthly idea why Jason was really upset and that was probably a good thing. When she’d started talking about going back to her own house, Jason’s heart had skipped a beat or two in his chest. He didn’t want her to go. He liked having her things strewn through his house. Before she’d come into his life his home had been quiet but sterile. Now it was full of life and he had her to thank for that. Her clothes and mascara didn’t seem like a big deal when the remedy meant he’d be alone. Again.

But she thought he was upset that she’d wondered aloud whether he was going to be able to solve the murders.

That didn’t bother him in the least. Hell, he’d been wondering the same goddamn thing for days so he couldn’t blame her for doing it too. He couldn’t guarantee success although he had a track record that other agents envied. He’d do his best, but in the end sometimes these things had an element of luck to them.

So was he lucky if he didn’t solve the murder and she stayed? Or was he lucky if he found the killer and she went back to her own house?

He didn’t have a fucking clue except that he couldn’t be in this for the long haul. She deserved a better man. A whole man, and that left him out of the running. He hadn’t expected to fall so far, so fast. He never had before. Brinley had changed more than she knew.

“It’s fine. You didn’t say anything wrong. I’m shooting off my mouth too, acting like I know for sure I’m going to solve it when I really don’t.”

He could see the doubt in her eyes and didn’t have a clue how to make it go away. He didn’t like lying to her much either.

“My words were thoughtless and I’m so sorry, Jason. Please forgive me.”

Brinley squeezed his arm, her eyes beseeching him. Dammit. He’d forgive her damn near anything. He couldn’t let her feel like crap when it wasn’t her fault. They needed to talk about this sooner or later, although he’d been hoping for the latter.

“That wasn’t why I was upset,” he admitted. “It was when you talked about moving back to your house. I like having you near me. I don’t mind your stuff at all.”

A slow smile crossed her pretty face. “Not even the clutter in the shower? I have shampoo, two kinds of conditioner, a soap for my body, one for my face, a razor, and body exfoliator.”

“Don’t forget that stone that you use to smooth your feet,” Jason laughed. “And no, I don’t mind. I’m kind of fascinated by it all, actually. I had a sister, but we didn’t share a bathroom so I didn’t know what half that stuff was until you told me.”

He’d asked her about the stone that sat on the edge of the tub after wracking his brain trying to figure out what the hell it was. The only thing he could come up with was a weapon to throw at someone’s head if they intruded on her bath time.

“I just didn’t want to be in the way. In your way, I mean.”

“You could never be that. I’d let you stay just for your cooking alone. But we probably need to have a talk about things eventually. About what happens when this is all over.”

“That sounds ominous.” Her smile wavered slightly. “Am I going to be thrown out of the Homeowner’s Association?”

“No way.” Jason leaned down and pressed a kiss to her tempting lips. She tasted like coffee and maple syrup. “But things will change at some point. We don’t need to talk about it now though. Tomorrow or the next day is soon enough. Have fun with Logan today. I’ll call you later this morning, okay?”

“Okay, drive careful.”

Jason climbed into his truck, his gaze still on Brinley standing on the steps, an uncertain expression on her face. He’d fucked this up royally but he’d make it right. This was about his deficiencies, not hers.

He waved as he headed down the road. It was time to get back to the one thing he knew how to do.

Find a criminal.

Chapter Twenty-Four

‡

“Jason’s running scared, isn’t he?”