Free Raising The Stakes (Heartwarming Romance) by Karen Rock Page A

Vivie asked, imagining the men close to her house. Moving to the isolated Adirondacks had made her feel safe. She didn’t want that faith shaken.
    Swearing rose from the kitchen and Vivie automatically flipped on the radio. A smooth Sinatra tune covered up what sounded like someone burning alive back there, Rowdy’s usual noise for a scorched pinky.
    “I’ll check on the drama queen,” Brett called, then rolled his eyes before striding through the swinging door.
    She waited for Liam to stop chewing, trying not to stare at the firm set of his square jaw. Polka-dot sunglasses would have no effect on his manliness
    “No. Not dangerous. They were cooperative. Though it turns out they were wanted in their own state for ripping off a convenience store.” Liam studied her. “The troopers will probably stop by to ask you a few questions.”
    She nodded, a jerky motion, as fear soured her gut. The last time she’d talked to the police, she hadn’t been of much help. No, she’d told them, she’d never seen her attackers’ faces, hadn’t recognized their voices, hadn’t noticed anyone follow her as she’d walked to the subway after finishing the graveyard shift. They’d struck as unexpectedly as a thunderstorm on a sunny day, turning everything dark, a gray filter that’d cast a pall over her life for four years.
    Only the Adirondack’s crisp blue skies, navy waters and deep green forests had returned the color to her life. She’d remembered to breathe here. Had carved a safe path from home to diner and back again that gave her the security she needed.
    “You okay?” He squinted at her over a forkful of pie.
    She gave herself a small shake. “Yes. Guess I’m just worried about the test results.”
    He chewed slowly, his eyes faraway. “If only you knew someone with a password into the DEC system. Someone who could find out those results so that you wouldn’t have to—”
    Vivie lunged across the counter and grabbed his muscular forearms. “Can you find out if I passed?”
    He nodded, his mouth curling. “I could, since I saw the test administrator enter the scores a half hour ago.”
    She snatched her purse and raced around to his side. “Let’s go.” With a hard tug, she got him on his feet.
    “Maggie, I’m taking off,” she called. “Liam’s getting my test results early. Are you okay to close?” She was already halfway to the door, Liam in tow.
    “No problem.” Maggie let go of one of the fireman’s suspenders and straightened. “Call me as soon as you know.”
    “Me, too!” piped up Lauren who gathered the departed family’s tip and stuffed it into her apron’s pocket.
    “I didn’t pay for the pie,” Liam protested as Vivie shoved him out the door.
    “It’s on the house.” She pointed to his SUV. “Follow me.”
    He shook his head. “My place is closer.”
    She caught herself before she nodded. Fear unfurled in her, a shadow deepening the cracks that’d remained even after she’d put herself back together.
    “N-no. I’d prefer my home.” Home was safe. It was what she knew. Where she was comfortable. That was as far as she’d let that line of thinking go.
    He cocked his head and shrugged. “Okay. Meet you there.”
    She nodded and got in her pickup, wondering at her initial response. Had she almost agreed to go to an unknown place...alone...with a man?
    With Liam?
    * * *
    L IAM PUNCHED IN his password and tried not to focus too much on the woman pressed against his side. Her long caramel hair brushed his shoulder and gave off a wildflower scent.
    “What if I failed?”
    He found the right tab and pulled the mouse over it. “Ready?”
    She shook her head then said, “Yes.”
    Another click brought up a list of names. They scrolled to hers and he read off a number that made her leap to her feet and got Scooter barking.
    “I did it!”
    He logged himself out and set the laptop on the couch before standing.
    “I knew you would.”
    Her mouth twisted. “Then why did you