“You probably aren’t going to like it. That can’t be helped. Levi, Harlan and I have talked the situation over and they’re going to loan me the little travel trailer they use once in a while for an on-site operations headquarters. I’ll tow it out to your farm tonight when I drive you home and camp there.”
“You will not.”
“I told them you’d pitch a fit but they were both firm about it. Harlan says he can’t spare Adelaide, and Levi doesn’t want me sleeping in my car and losing my edge, so they worked out a way where I’ll be handy most of the time you’re home. There’s no other choice—unless you intend to invite me in and consider me a houseguest.”
“I could refuse to be watched at all,” she said, realizing almost immediately that that was not going to suit anyone, herself included. She had been frightened out of her wits lately, more than once, and was not looking forward to spending dark, spooky nights alone so far out in the country.
The way she saw the situation, she’d have to allow someone to stay close by in order to feel safe. Since she knew John better than any of the other deputies or police officers, assigning him to the job did make perfect sense.
Samantha could tell he was searching her expression, waiting for her to capitulate once logic kicked in.
“All right,” she finally said, letting herself begin to smile as she formulated her full reply. “I’ll let you camp on my property, but only because I don’t want anything bad to happen to Brutus, and you and he are buddies.”
“Right.” The shadow of humor twitched at the corner of John’s mouth. “For Brutus.”
“Yes. That way, if you end up prowling around outside, he won’t attack you and you won’t get scared and accidentally shoot him. It’s a great plan.”
“Okay. Do you have any preference as to where I park?”
“I guess not. If you pull straight through the carport you can disconnect there, although you’ll have to check that the crossbeams are high enough to miss the vents on the top of the trailer.”
“You want me that close?” He was beginning to smile and look terribly confident.
“Well, you won’t be much use to me parked way out in the field or stuck inside the barn,” Samantha said, certain she sounded reasonable rather than overly eager.
When John’s grin spread she added, “Just don’t get the idea that having you there will make me careless. I fully intend to bolt my doors.”
“Good. Are those new locks I installed working okay for you?”
“Fine, although I don’t know how much use they’d be if some really big guy decided he wanted to kick the door in.”
“Which is exactly why the chief assigned me to stay at your place temporarily,” John countered. “I’m glad you approve.”
She was about to amend his statement when he laughed softly and added, “For Brutus’s sake, of course.”
EIGHT
John was already towing the small, white trailer when he returned to the medical center to pick up Samantha that evening, just after five. She came out the door and jogged toward him before he had a chance to park and go inside to fetch her.
He leaned across to open the truck’s door but she was already climbing in. “Next time, wait for me to walk you out,” he ordered.
“Don’t be silly. I looked around first. There’s nobody sinister lurking out here. Besides, it’s always broad daylight when I get through with the day shift. I wouldn’t have been out here so late a few nights ago if I hadn’t been subbing for a nurse who had a family emergency.”
“Yeah, well, day or night, we didn’t see anyone in the store parking lot in Ash Flat when you were almost run over, either. Next time, wait for me, Sam. Promise.”
“Okay, okay. I will.” Sobering, she fastened her seat belt. “This is hard for me, you know. I’ve been totally independent for years. It feels funny having to ask for permission to do things.”
“I don’t mean it that way,” John insisted.
“Then what do you mean?” She waved her hands rapidly as if to erase her statement. “Oh, never mind. I get the general idea. So, have you made any progress with Bobby Joe’s case?”
“No. But I did mention your interest in Ben Southerland when I was talking to the chief. He says the guy is squeaky-clean.”
“Hah! Then why is Danny in the hospital?”
John’s grip tightened on the steering wheel and his head whipped around. “What? Is he okay?”