He set his dessert on the coffee table, grabbed one of the movies he knew his mother loved and slipped it into the DVD player. Why did he keep forgetting he wasn’t there to get to know her? This was a job, nothing more. Besides, how was he supposed to get to know her when she couldn’t remember her past? Even if it did eventually come back, his job was just until the FBI detail got here.
Halfway through the movie, they added a big bowl of buttered popcorn. When the final credits rolled, he realized she was leaning against his shoulder.
“Are you still awake?” he asked.
She nodded then yawned “I saw the ending, but think I missed part of it.”
“I learned you have a cute snore.”
“Very funny.” She laughed. “I learned I like romantic comedies. Especially Christmas ones.”
“I figured something intense wasn’t going to be a good choice considering that the point was for you to forget everything that’s going on, so I guess we accomplished that.”
“Agreed.” She scooted a few inches away and turned to him. “But to be honest, forgetting things hasn’t exactly been an issue since the accident.”
Griffin frowned, wanting to kick himself for his insensitivity. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean—”
“It’s okay.” She shot him a smile. “I’m teasing.”
He let out a low chuckle. “You might have lost your memory, but like I said earlier, definitely not your sense of humor.”
“What I really should be saying is thank you.”
“For what?”
“For helping me get my mind off all of this, even if it was just for a couple hours—and even if I fell asleep. I have a feeling that the next few days if not weeks are going to be tough. But in the meantime, I can’t imagine a homier safe house.”
He turned off the TV and the Christmas lights, grabbed the half-empty bowl of popcorn and headed toward the kitchen. “I can’t guarantee that the FBI is going to treat you to a movie and popcorn every night, but while you’re here we can afford to indulge some.”
He stopped midsentence, realizing what he was thinking. For some crazy reason he wished she were staying here—not just until the storm was over, but until he knew she was completely safe. And he wanted to be the one to ensure she stayed safe. But that wasn’t going to happen. She’d only be here until the storm passed and the FBI could get her out, then he’d get back to his normal life.
And reality.
He turned off the kitchen light and started upstairs with her.
“The house is beautiful.” She ran her hand across the wooden banister as they walked up the stairs. “When was it built?”
“My grandfather built the original structure back in the early 1900s, but my father continued to add on. He put in the second story back in the seventies, added a back porch and most recently put in a gun room for safety.”
She glanced at the vaulted door at the end of the hallway. “So he’s a serious hunter?”
“Hunter...collector. He had the vault put in a few months ago. His first grandchild—and any future grandchildren—was his main motivator, though he’s been talking about doing it for years. If you’re interested in hunting, he’s the man people come to. I might be biased, but he and my grandfather are experts on not just hunting but survival and really anything outdoors. He loves this land and knows how to adapt to whatever comes.”
She stood quiet for a minute in front of the guest room.
“You okay?”
“Yeah. I’m fine. Just tired. I love hearing you talk of family, but it makes me wonder about mine.”
“The memories will come.”
She nodded. “I hope so.”
“Do you need anything else?”
“I don’t think so. I have my bag from the agents’ car and your mother helped me get settled.”
“Good. But if you end up needing something—anything at all—during the night, I’m just down the hall.”
“I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
A moment later she turned around and slipped into her room.
He stared at the closed door a few seconds then made a tour of the house, ensuring all the doors and windows were locked. His parents had gone to bed an hour ago, but he had a feeling he wasn’t going to get much sleep.
The wind was still howling outside and the snow continued to lay a thick blanket on the ground, which meant he couldn’t imagine someone coming after her now. Not in this weather. But he still wasn’t going to take any chances. His brother Caden and the ranch hands were already on alert to anything out of the ordinary. And the local sheriff’s department had their deputies on call, as well.
If Jinx did manage to track her down and come after her, they were going to be ready.
He checked the mudroom door then stopped and moved closer to the window. Something shifted outside near the barn and he was sure it wasn’t simply the wind. He grabbed his heavy coat and gloves off the hanging rack, along with a flashlight, then put his service weapon in his holster. If Jinx and his men were foolish enough to try to fight this storm, he was going to make sure they lost.
The wind howled around him as he stepped outside and quickly shut the door behind him. Bitter cold slashed his cheeks, sending shivers up his spine. Steeling his breath, he headed for the barn. Shadows moved in the wind, but that wasn’t what he’d seen. Something—someone was out there.
He held out his weapon as he approached the barn. “Turn around slowly and put your hands on your head.”
He shone his flashlight into the shadows. “Caden?”
His brother stepped up in front of him. “What are you doing out here?”
“Just checking things over one last time. I can’t see those guys coming after her tonight, but saw someone moving around and had to check it out. What are you doing?”
Caden let out a low laugh. “I think we’re both a bit on edge. It hasn’t been that long since Gabby’s and Liam’s lives were in danger, and now this...”
Griffin stepped into the shelter of the barn behind his brother. “I have to admit, this situation has me rattled and they’ve crossed my mind once or twice the past few hours.”
Caden shot him a smile. “Gabby fell in love with Liam during all of that. The same thing could happen to you.”
“Seriously? There’s a killer after the woman I’m protecting, and you’re thinking about matchmaking?” Griffin frowned. “I’m not doing this because I think she’s beautiful or charming. I’m just doing my job.”
“If you say so.”
“Caden, you can’t seriously be going there. I don’t even know her.”
His brother let out a low chuckle. “You know I’m just kidding, though it has been a while since you’ve been in a relationship. I’m just thinking of your happiness. Mom told me Tory’s both beautiful and charming.”
Griffin headed into one of the stalls to check the supply of feed, even though it wasn’t his job.
Caden followed him, stopping in the doorway. “I’m sorry.”
“Forget it. That was a long time ago. I just haven’t found what I’m looking for.”
“What are you looking for?”
He headed into the next stall, wanting to ignore the question. Wanting to ignore the entire topic.
“You’re