Free The Drake House by Kelly Moran

to be sure.”
    She closed her eyes and laid her head back gently against the headboard. “I’ll come to the station in the morning.”
    “I have to tell you something before I go.” He waited until she opened her dazed eyes and focused her attention on him. “After I dropped you off last night, someone called me. They warned me to stay away from you.”
    “What?” Her features no longer drowsy, she perked her head back up. “Who?”
    “I don’t know. Sounded male, though. I couldn’t make out an approximate age, but it was an adult. He whispered and held something over the receiver to mask the voice.”
    She shook her head slowly, confused. “I don’t know anyone who would do that.”
    “Who knew we went out?”
    She flinched and shook her head again. “Everyone here. But it’s a small town, everyone probably knew. Word travels fast. No one would care who I date.”
    “Any bad ex-boyfriends I need to know about?”
    “No.” Her vague expression gave him the confirmation he needed.
    Nancy walked in and set a cup of steaming tea down on her bedside table. The tears were gone but the expression on her face told Nick they threatened to come again.
    “I’m going,” he said and rose. “I’ll see you in the morning. Wake her every two hours tonight, okay?” he told Nancy.
    When he left, he was only slightly comforted that she had Nancy by her side to dote on her instead of him.

Chapter Five
    “I’ll be nice and let you have my muffin today.”
    Trisha attempted to smile at Steve. “I’m not hungry, but thanks.”
    She wasn’t at all in the mood to make a statement today. Her head throbbed and she felt like an utter idiot for the entire ordeal. Wayne and Steve joked about it, though she saw their underlying anger for the situation. But it was Nick who royally pissed her off.
    Last night he cooed like she was a helpless female, then insulted her. Now, he barely glanced her way and acted as if he wasn’t in the same station house with her. She despised games.
    “So, I guess the last thing left to do is decide if you want to press charges.”
    Trisha tore her glare from where Nick was chatting with her parents and frowned at the deputy. “Do you think I should, Steve?”
    “Well, that’s up to you.” He eyed her bruised cheek. “But personally, I’d love to haul his ass in here for you.”
    “All right, do it.” She rose and pecked his cheek. “Thanks for everything last night, driving by the house and all.”
    Steve kicked his feet up onto the desk, crossing them, and leaned back in his chair. “I’d like to take all the praise, but it’s Nick who sat outside of your house all night in the car, not me.”
    Trisha’s eyes narrowed. “Did he now,” she whispered.
    “Yep,” Steve replied and wiggled his brows. “But you can kiss me again if you want.”
    Grinning, she leaned in close to his ear. “I’ll tell your wife you said so.” While he was distracted, she snatched his muffin and winked. “Thanks for breakfast.”
    Unamused, Steve muttered, “You’re a sneaky woman, Trish.”
    “I know.” Rounding the desk, she hugged Wayne. “Thanks for everything. Let me know when you’ve got him.”
    “Sure will, apple. Take it easy today,” he ordered half-heartedly, knowing she wouldn’t anyhow.
    Without bothering a glance for Nick, Trisha strolled out of the station with her parents trailing.
    ****
    Trisha set her bucket of cleaning supplies down and eyed the task ahead of her. Mike left the bedroom a disaster. It would take all day to clean it up. She declined shopping with her mother and Nancy to fix this, and left her father and the men to work the last of the spring chores in the orchard.
    Grabbing a garbage bag, she decided to pack his clothes first. Snatching the ones on the floor, she shoved them into the bag. She should have brought a nose plug. Tossing that bag aside in the hallway, she grabbed another for the closet.
    He didn’t have much. There were no family heirlooms