Chapter 26

I waited in the car,anxious for Bodhi to return. Max had assured me the house was clear and continued to stand on alert by the door, but my stomach still squirmed unpleasantly. My head pounded, and I was sure the anxiety was making it worse. I needed to see Bodhi to know he was okay. I hoped staying with Max was the right thing to do and would keep us safe. It was disconcerting that nobody had even spotted Derek around town. We were a welcoming community, and for no one to have noticed a new person meant he knew how to hide and could do it well.

Bodhi appeared at the front door with a large suitcase and his backpack. He nearly stumbled down the few front steps as he tried to pull the luggage along with his good hand. Max hurried to take the luggage from him and turned to lock up, then they both made their way back to the SUV.

Bodhi swiftly hopped into the seat behind me, then leaned forward to kiss my cheek. I shifted so he could kiss my mouth instead. I was addicted to the taste of him and cherished these moments despite the danger we were facing.

“Get everything you need?”

“I think so.” He rested his chin on my shoulder. “I hope I did anyway.”

Max came around to the driver’s side and hopped in. “I double-checked. The whole house is locked and secure. We good to go?”

“Yep,” Bodhi said as he sat back.

And we set off to Max’s place.

I must’ve dozed because the next thing I knew Bodhi was leaning over me, whispering in my ear while stroking my cheek as he woke me. He was just so sweet.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to fall asleep.” I carefully shifted in my seat as I turned to exit the SUV. All my stiff and sore muscles throbbed at every movement. I couldn’t help the groan that slipped out because I knew how much worse I was likely to feel tomorrow.

Max was standing behind Bodhi. “Need a hand? You should take it slow.”

“I’ll be fine,” I said with a wave. I could walk, even if my head was killing me and parts of my body protested.

“The guest house is out back.” Max led Bodhi around the side of his quaint yet contemporary two-story craftsman-style house while I trailed behind. With white shutters and gray-blue siding, Max must’ve painted recently because the house looked better than it had the last time I’d been here. There was a low white picket fence and Max opened the gate to let us through. The backyard was beautifully landscaped, with flower patches along the side of the house and around the stairs leading up to a large deck.

I hadn’t seen the guest house before and it was beautiful. The design was a miniature single-story version of the main house, complete with a little front deck. Potted plants had been nestled on either side of the door. Max shuffled around for the key, then led us inside.

“The house looks great, Max. You and Geena finally finishing those remodeling projects you’d been talking about.” I clapped him on the shoulder as I entered. “And this place is amazing. I hadn’t seen it since you poured the foundation.”

“Thanks, we’re really happy with how it all turned out,” Max said as he took the suitcase from Bodhi. “The bedroom is at the back.”

Max led us through a cozy open-plan living room with a two-seater gray couch and small entertaining suite, past a compact U-shaped kitchenette, and down a short hallway. At the end, Max pushed open the door and stood aside to reveal a surprisingly large bedroom. It was bright and fresh with white walls, light gray carpet, and a queen bed. There was a door on the left that I figured led to a bathroom, and on the opposite wall was a small gas fireplace, which added to the cozy feel of the whole guest house.

Max set the suitcase at the end of the bed. “The dresser is empty, so feel free to unpack and settle in. I’ve been notified that Kat is bringing dinner. So, you have a few hours to rest before she arrives.”

There was a knock at the door, and we all turned to look, shifting uncomfortably.

“It’s just me,” Theo called out.

We all visibly relaxed. I guess we would be on edge until Derek was caught and thrown in jail.

“Come on in,” Max called as he went out to meet Theo. After dropping his backpack on the bed, Bodhi and I followed.

“Here’s your meds,” Theo said as he placed a paper bag on the small coffee table. “You look dead on your feet. You should go rest. Mama’s coming by later. She wouldn’t be deterred.”

“Max mentioned. Thanks for these. My head is killing me.” I picked up the bag and took it into the kitchen so I could grab some water and have my next dose.

“We’ll head out and let you get some rest,” Max added as he handed Bodhi the keys. “Make sure you lock up, even if you’re home. I’ll see you later for dinner with Kat.”

“Thanks again, Max. Please let us know as soon as there are any updates on Derek.” Bodhi waved goodbye as Theo and Max left. He did as instructed and locked the door behind them before coming to join me in the tiny kitchen.

“Theo’s right, you should rest.” He came over to hug me from behind.

“As long as you snuggle with me, I’d be happy to rest.” I turned to reach out for him and hold him close. “You haven’t had much sleep, either. I’m sure you could use a nap, too.”

“That sounds good.” He nuzzled into my chest, gripping me tightly. “I’m so sorry this happened. As soon as Seb said the word accident, I just about died. I’m so glad you’re okay.”

“Me too. Come on. Let’s rest.” We headed back to the bedroom and stripped down to our boxers before we both climbed into bed. I spooned up behind him and kissed the back of his neck, just below his ear, causing him to shiver.

“That tickles,” he whispered.

“I love you, Bodhi,” I said and breathed him in, thankful he was here with me.

“I love you, too.” He clutched my hand over his chest as we both fell asleep.

When I woke it was completely dark. I could only just make out Bodhi’s sleeping face as he lay on his back next to me, still holding my hand to his chest. I was groggy from the pain pills, but I was also starving. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had real food. They’d given me something at the hospital, but it was gross, and I was in too much pain to care about food at that point. I carefully shifted onto my back so I could reach my phone on the bedside table to check the time.

“You shouldn’t be looking at screens yet. Let me do whatever it is you need.” Bodhi’s voice broke the silence.

Smiling at him, I handed him my phone. “I was just checking the time.”

“It’s later than I expected. It’s almost eight o’clock. I would have thought your mom would have been here by now.”

“Hmm, me too. Maybe Max or Theo were able to hold her off.”

“Oh wait, there’s a text from her.” Bodhi passed me the phone so I could unlock it, then opened the text thread. “It says she left a picnic basket of food at the door for us and will be here in the morning to visit. Aww, that’s sweet. I’ll go get it!”

Bodhi jumped out of bed, walking boot and all, and shuffled to the front door. I moved a lot slower, allowing my body to adjust to being upright again as I walked into the kitchen. Bodhi placed the large basket on the kitchen counter before going back to relock the door. He returned and started going through all the offerings Mama had packed. There were all the fixings for sandwiches as well as an extra-large thermos. Bodhi took the lid off to see what was inside and the heavenly aroma of Mama’s homemade vegetable soup filled the room. I nearly salivated as my stomach growled.

“It’s Mama’s Healing soup. Just what the doctor ordered.” I chuckled at the thought of the family law that went along with this soup. “You’re in for a treat. I swear this soup has real healing powers.”

“Sounds perfect, then.” Bodhi smiled at me before putting the sandwich fixings into the fridge and quickly went about finding bowls and serving the steaming soup.

We ate in relative silence, both quickly realizing how hungry we were when the food was in front of us. I soaked up the last of my soup with the bread that Mama had also tucked into the basket.

“Do you think they’ll find him? What do you suppose will happen next?” Bodhi was looking thoughtfully into his empty bowl as if it held all the answers.

“I’m not sure. Max has his team on the lookout. And most of the town probably knows by now. He won’t be able to hide for long, you’ll see.”

“I guess,” he said.

“Have you had enough to eat? Let’s go back to bed. You still look tired.”

“I should be telling you to rest.” Bodhi raised an eyebrow at me before deflating. “But yes, you’re right. Let’s go back to bed.”

I offered him my hand, and he took it as we headed to the bedroom—together.