Chapter 12

CHAPTER 12

Tex didn’t want to feel angry. But if he were honest with himself, that was the exact emotion pulsing through his blood.

Anger.

It wasn’t even anger toward Chelsea. It was anger toward himself.

How would things be different right now if he hadn’t gone so many years without keeping in touch? Maybe Chelsea wouldn’t be in her current situation.

But the other part of him knew he’d been in a tough position during his military career. If he’d stayed in touch with Chelsea, there was a chance she wouldn’t even like him anymore.

The truth was, he couldn’t go back in time. He couldn’t change anything.

He could only try to make things better right now.

He followed Chelsea home and pulled into the driveway behind her. If he could, he wouldn’t let her out of his sight for even a moment until he knew she was safe.

She climbed out of her car, and he met her, taking her elbow, and leading her to the front door. Then he waited as she unlocked it.

He pushed inside and instructed her to wait by the door.

He went through every room and searched every place someone could hide.

There was no one. He found comfort in that thought—but he still couldn’t relax.

First, he double-checked all the windows and doors for her to make sure they were locked.

He met her back in the living room. “Everything is safe. Please tell me you’ll be in for the rest of the night.”

She rubbed her throat, her face still pale from her earlier encounter. “I will be. I promise. I don’t think I can handle anything else happening.”

“And if you need me?—”

“I’ll call,” she reassured him.

He paused, more words playing on the tip of his tongue. Words he wasn’t sure he should say aloud.

But maybe he needed to get them off his chest. “You know you could have been killed tonight.”

She nodded slowly. “I guess God had His angels watching out for me.”

Tex raised an eyebrow. “No one has ever called me an angel before.”

She started to say something, but then just smiled up at him instead.

“I don’t want to impose—I really don’t—but I’d feel better if I stayed close,” he told her. “How would you feel about me staying on your couch tonight?”

Chelsea didn’t argue. “I’ll get you a pillow and a blanket.”

Chelsea couldn’t believe it, but she’d actually gotten some sleep despite everything that had happened.

She knew it had everything to do with the fact Tex was sleeping on her couch.

He wouldn’t let anything happen to her.

But she hoped and prayed that today wouldn’t be like yesterday.

However, the only way she could see herself getting past this danger was if she found resolution on the Gilbert situation. It was the only thing that made sense.

Gilbert or one of his cronies must somehow know Chelsea was onto them.

Now someone affiliated with that messy situation was trying to silence her.

A shudder rippled through her at the thought.

How would she find any answers without getting herself killed?

She didn’t know.

She got out of bed and took a little more care with her appearance than usual. Normally, she’d throw her hair into a ponytail and wear her pajamas while she retrieved her coffee from the kitchen.

But knowing Tex was out there, she brushed her hair and teeth. Put on some leggings and a red sweatshirt exclaiming “Merry.” She even dabbed some concealer under her eyes.

Then she wandered into the living room.

To her surprise, Tex wasn’t there. The blanket was neatly folded and stacked on top of the pillow on the couch.

She didn’t want to feel disappointed, but she did.

Where had he gone?

Then she saw the paper on top of the pillow.

She gingerly picked it up and read the words.

Getting coffee with Patrick. I’m only a phone call away if you need me. Let’s talk later, okay? I’ll be in touch.

Chelsea glanced at the time. It was already 9:30. She supposed it made sense that he’d already be gone, especially if he had other things to do.

Now Chelsea needed to sit down, clear her head, and come up with a plan. She had to figure out a way to find the answers she needed. Her life depended on it—and probably the lives of some of her students as well.

She frowned and swiped a hand over the top of her head.

The person coming after her had left her no choice.