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“You shouldn’t be here,” she said

“And you shouldn’t be here alone,” he countered “Do you have any idea howorders against the you a shooting lesson”

She shook her head “You’re a target, too If Slade coether, it could push hie Go home I’ll be fine”

His jaw tightened “The only way I’ Your choice”

“You don’t own ht to just step in and take over my life”

His hands tightened on her shoulders, al

“Dah your stubborn little head? I’ to save it!”

He stood like a hickory tree, rooted to the ground

Natalie had seen this side of hi to budge

She sighed in defeat “All right There’s a spare bed in the guest room Where’s your vehicle?”

“Locked in the garage with yours” He released her and stepped away Only then did she notice the heavy revolver holstered at his hip “But I’ll pass on the guest roo room sofa ork better And I’llaround, I’ll want hiun Believe me, I’d rather scare him away than have him break in and be forced to shoot him”

Natalie shivered at his words Slade had done sos, but she didn’t want him shot She didn’t want anybody shot, especially Beau Why hadn’t Beau stayed out of this mess? Why couldn’t he have just walked away and left her to face her problems on her own?

Sighing in resignation, she turned back toward the hallway “As long as you’re staying, we ht as well have sona and ht even be a bottle of Pinot Noir in the cupboard How does that sound to you?”

Beau sat on the sofa, leafing through the newspaper and listening to Natalie ru in the kitchen He’d offered to help her, but she’d shooed hi room She probably needed some time to herself

He could get used to this—the sharing of intieous woman who dazzled hi the side of her face, she took his breath away, triggering the kind of domestic fantasies he’d never had with any other woht enjoy a pleasant dinner, clear away the le and watch the news When it was time, he would scoop her into his arms, carry her into the bedroom, and make tender, passionate love to her until they drifted off in each other’s arms