Free Finding Peace (Love's Compass #1) by Melanie D. Snitker

it, he placed a hand over one of hers. “Laurie, you’re okay.”
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Chapter Eight
     
     
    Her green eyes swam with tears and Tuck was surprised by the need to pull her into his arms. What was it about Laurie that brought out such intense reactions in him? He gave her hand a gentle squeeze.
    “Do you have any family I can call? Someone who can come and stay with you for a few days until you feel more secure?”
    “No.” She shook her head emphatically. “My parents are somewhere in Paris. They come back for a month around Christmas. My sister works in New York and it would be a huge inconvenience to her.”
    He couldn’t imagine not having family nearby. “Well, let me tell you something. I’m serious about this. If you need anything – whether you think your studio is being broken into or you just need a friend – call me.”
    Her eyes widened and she blinked at him. “Why?”
    “Because everyone needs someone else they can count on.”
    “And it’s your job to maintain the safety of the civilians of Kitner.”
    “Something like that,” he said with a wink. He didn’t believe one word of that and he wasn’t sure Laurie did, either. He removed his hand from hers, instantly missing her warmth.
    “I wish I wasn’t this nervous. I hate feeling this way in my own place.” She hugged her arms to her chest. “I’d consider getting a gun if I could afford one.”
    “I don’t think that’s a bad idea.” When her gaze swung to his, Tuck rushed on. “I mean, it’s great to have a way to protect yourself. I do not, however, think a gun will do you a lot of good if you don’t know how to use it.”
    “What do you suggest?”
    “You can go to a shooting range here in town and rent a couple of different types. Try them out and see which you like better. Then, once you buy a gun, I recommend that you take some kind of class. That way, you get the practice you need and become more comfortable with it.” His thoughts were running. “There are two or three particular guns I think would fit your hands well.”
    “I guess I kind of expected you to say I shouldn’t have a gun and that I should leave it all up to the police.”
    “We are trained to handle situations. But in a pinch, a gun can mean the difference between life and death. If someone breaks into your home while you’re there, it’s better to shoot the intruder and survive, than to hide in the closet, wait for the police, and hope the guy doesn’t find you in the meantime.” She shivered and Tuck instinctually reached to cover her hand again. “I’m not trying to scare you. I’m stating a fact. Hopefully you’ll never be in a situation where you’ll need a gun. But if you are, you’ll have it to protect yourself.” Suddenly, the idea of her facing an intruder and him not being there to shield her made him feel sick. “If you’re serious about purchasing a gun, let me take you to the range.”
    Even as he spoke the words, his brain tried to warn him that seeing Laurie regularly like that wouldn’t be a good idea. It would be easy to get used to spending time with her, and he shouldn’t risk it. Not when there was a chance of it all falling apart. But his heart betrayed him, galloping at the thought of having an excuse to see her more.
    She seemed to mull that over, her eyes on their hands. He wondered if she had felt the same jolt of awareness that he had when they touched. Her long eyelashes lifted and her green eyes sought his. Tuck felt like he could drown in their depths. She blinked quickly and looked away.
    “I would like that, thank you. Did anything come from your call out earlier?”
    “No, not really.” He told her about the break-in. “We’re not even sure if there’s a connection between the two burglaries. It’s more likely that they are completely unrelated at this point.” He