page4 (1/2)

Everything about their life together ued, spent all their free time with each other, shared most interests, and reat cook, a wonderfuland generous and looked like a dream when she came What more could a man ask for?

With a sed the three steps to his townhouse For a split second, his brow furrowed The porch light wasn’t on Callie always flicked the light on for him hours before the sun set He’d teased her about it, but she said she hated the thought of hi dark and he was tired

Soman

His srew even more extensive Maybe Callie had a surprise of her own planned One that included so around her shoulders just the way he loved it

He stuck his key in the lock and frowned as it turned without resistance Hmm… He was all for surprises, but he’d have to re her safety in jeopardy wasn’t worth it no matter what she had planned They didn’t live in a sketchy neighborhood, but with sotheir first taste of freedom, home invasions weren’t unheard of

“Hey, beautiful, I’reeted hierator or churn of their decades-old HVAC trying desperately to combat the Alabama heat “Cal?” he called out as he set the wine and flowers on a table full of picture frames in the foyer “Where are you, sweetheart?”

He flicked the light switch next to the door, but nothing happened

He pushed it up then down again

Unease snaked down his spine, and the hairs on the back of his neck rose to attention

This wasn’t an ordinary power outage So

He could feel it in his gut

A thu

Lincoln glanced around as best he could in the dark, searching for a weapon, but Callie kept the house so neat there wasn’t anything to grab Maybe the u within reach beside the bottle of wine he’d brought horipped the handle with a sweaty palm and started toward the kitchen

The whirring in his head was so loud it drowned out his ability to listen for any unexpected sounds He had no idea what he’d do if he encountered an intruder Sure, he was tall at six-two, but he was a geeky science guy who hadn’t seen the inside of a gyh school Not exactly ninja material

His gaze darted in every direction as he tiptoed his way down the hallway leading to the kitchen He clutched the long umbrella in his hands like a lifeline One of his loafers squeaked on the floor, and he cursed in his head Should have left them at the door