Page 29 of The Fragile Truth
“Hey,” he chuckled.
“What were you really thinking?” She cut her eyes at him. “Be honest.”
“The truth?”
She nodded.
He sucked in a quick breath, trying to decide if he should make something up or plunge into the sticky truth. “Okay, if you must know, I was thinking that I don’t know if I want you to work at the hotel restaurant.”
She frowned. “Why not?”
Oops. Instantly, he regretted his snap decision to be so candid. His blood pumped faster as he swallowed. “There are some good families on the island,” he began carefully. Land sakes, he felt like he was tiptoeing through a land mine. His gaze locked with hers. “But there are also some rich, conceited jerks. I just don’t want you to get taken in by one of those guys.”
Her eyes brimmed with amusement, washing them in a shimmery gold. “Ian Russell … are you worried about me looking at another guy?”
“Of course not,” he grumbled. “You’re free to look at whom you please.” This was so dang awkward. He’d rather stare down a whole gang of hardened criminals than face the awkwardness of gushy feelings.
Lyrical laughter floated from her milky throat. “In that case. I choose you.”
Her words registered as he blinked. “Really?”
“Yeah.” She offered him a soft smile that held the glow of a dozen sunsets. Ian had never seen a more beautiful woman. Not even Lina. Sadie was his oasis amid the turmoil. “Come here,” he murmured as he leaned in and gave her a slow, coaxing kiss. He drank in her sweetness, marveling that she’d come into his life so unexpectedly like brilliant fireworks bursting life and light against an inky, midnight sky.
When they drew back from one another, a contented smile nestled over her lips. “I know it’s a pain getting out here, with the ferry ride and all, but the island does have its benefits.” She made a point of looking at his lips.
“Yes, it does,” he murmured, cupping her cheek. He stroked his thumb over her velvety skin.
Her eyes lit with excitement. “So, are you ready to break out the metal detector and search for treasure?”
“We can do that, but I’ve already found my treasure.”
Surprise blipped through her eyes the second before a deeper, darker emotion took hold. His insides seized. There it was again—that sliver of doubt or menacing shadow lurking just beyond the edge of her smile. As before, it was gone in a flash. Her smile was now all sunshine, not a dark cloud in sight.
“What’s wrong?” he implored, searching her face.
“Nothing.” She gave him a quizzical look. “Why do you ask?”
He traced the length of her tresses with his finger. “I dunno. I just sense that something is bothering you. Whatever it is … you can tell me.” Ian wanted to know every single detail about Sadie so that there would be no secrets between them.
She chuckled as she sat up. He did the same. “I guess I’m still getting used to moving here. New job. New house.” She turned to look at him, her voice going reflectively gentle. “New relationship.”
His throat squeezed. He wondered if she was thinking about Danny. “Is it too fast?” He’d been so quick to jump into a relationship with Lina, ignoring the warnings signs. Was he making the same mistake again? He sensed that Sadie was a good person. And yet, she was hiding something. He could feel it.
“No, it’s not,” she said frankly, looking him in the eye. “There’s nowhere I’d rather be than right here, with you.” A magnificent smile overtook her features, dispelling his misgivings. Lina had done such a number on him that he’d gone into this dark funk where he questioned everyone and everything.
Right then and there, Ian reached a decision. He would stop looking for the bad and simply enjoy being with Sadie. He hopped to his feet and turned to help her up. “Let’s go find us some treasure.”
9
Ian was in his office, going over the details of the plan he would present to Talon Chasing later that afternoon when Callie rushed in, wringing her hands. “You need to get over to The Sea Salt Grill now!”
Ian’s heart jumped into his throat. “Has something happened to Sadie?”
“To Effie Romeo! A car tried to run her over.”
Swearing, Ian sprang out of his seat and ran out the door. He sped to the restaurant in his patrol car, his sirens blaring. A crowd was gathered outside, along with a fire truck. He spotted Talon and Effie, standing off to the side of the front entrance, talking to a couple of EMTs. Effie’s face was pale as a sheet of granite, but she didn’t appear to be hurt. Talon had a protective arm around her shoulders. Ian was surprised to see Sadie on the other side of Effie.
He got out of his car and pushed his way through the onlookers with a commanding, “Clear the way, folks.”