Target on the Mountain by Elizabeth Goddard (the chimp paradox .txt) 📕

Tori nodded and dug through her purse. As her fingers grabbed onto the large key ring that used to belong to Sarah, a pang shot through her heart.

Ryan walked her to the door. “I’m not so sure you should be driving Sarah’s car around since we know she was targeted.”

“I don’t think it matters what car I’m driving. Are you sure you want to use the extra manpower just to bring mine back?” Finding the house key, she thrust it in to unlock the door.

He pressed his hand over hers on the knob. She gazed up at his taller form. She’d once had a thing for him. Might still have a thing for him because his nearness seemed to suck the air from her.

“I’ll use all the manpower available to me to protect you, Tori.”

And she believed him. That thrilled her, when it shouldn’t. Warmed her to her toes, despite her cold, damp clothes.

“Now, I’m going in first,” he said.

He pulled his weapon as they entered. She disengaged the alarm to allow them entry, then armed it again for protection while they were inside. Like always, Tori waited in the foyer, her own weapon out while he cleared the bungalow again.

Mom texted her.

Dinner ready within hour.

If Mom only knew what Tori had just been through. She would have to keep that from her or else Tori would never hear the end of it.

Ryan returned. “It’s all clear, but—” he hesitated “—are you going to be all right? It’s been a harrowing day.”

She shrugged. “Mom texted that dinner will be ready in an hour. I should be good until then.”

His lips flattened into a straight line as if he didn’t believe her.

Tori didn’t want him to leave yet. Was it only the dangerous situation getting to her? Or was it something more?

“Until then, I’ll build you a fire. It’ll take the chill off.”

She could build her own fire, thank you very much, but if it would keep Ryan here, that was fine by her.

“Still worried about me?” Now why had she asked that? It sounded entirely too much like flirting.

From the way he looked at her, it seemed he’d noticed that, too. A half smile lifted one cheek. “As a detective on this case, yes, I’m worried about you.”

His words might have hurt her, if she’d bought into them. With the emotion behind his gaze, she didn’t believe his concern was a simple matter of a detective doing his job.

“Okay. I’ll just change into clean clothes and then...and then... I’ll make us some coffee while you make a fire.” That sounded way too romantic, and yet she was walking into this with her eyes wide open.

What are you doing, Tori Peterson?

A few minutes later, as she settled on the sofa with a nice warm fire in front of her and hot coffee in her hand, Tori felt so relaxed that she could fall asleep. She was warm, and with Ryan sitting at the far end of the sofa, she knew she was safe. When was the last time she’d actually felt safe like this? When was the last time she’d allowed herself the need to feel safe? It was foolish for her to be here with him now like this, but she needed this.

“You should know that I’ve been invited to dinner with you and your parents tonight, too.” His voice was husky.

The news surprised her. “Oh? Are you going to come?”

“Don’t worry,” he chuckled. “I have reports to write.”

“You sound like you think I wouldn’t want you there.” Tori sank deeper into the sofa. She was actually considering not showing up, either, but then again, that would hurt Mom and part of the reason she’d stayed in Rainey was for her parents.

“Are you saying that you would?”

She could feel his eyes on her as she stared into the fire he’d made.

Would she? What exactly was she thinking? She edged forward on the sofa and rested her elbows on her knees. “Ryan, believe it or not, I do have regrets about...” us “...regrets about everything.”

When he didn’t respond, she risked a glance at him.

He stared into the fire as if he was afraid to hear what else she might say. The flames flickered softly and the ambience was more than romantic. She should get up. Move around. Ask him to leave. Something.

So she did. Tori moved to stand closer to the fire and rubbed her arms. Maybe she should explain her comment about regrets. “Sarah’s death has given me a different perspective on life.”

As it well should.

A few seconds ticked by, then Ryan’s voice was gentle. “Don’t tell me you regret taking the FBI job.”

She heard no antagonism or resentment in his tone, which invited her to share her deepest thoughts. “The work has been fulfilling. But now I see that my family should have mattered more to me.”

Tears freely leaked from the corners of her eyes.

That you should have mattered more.

Suddenly Ryan was there, next to her by the fire. He gently wiped one tear away before turning her to face him. “Your family knows how much you love them, Tori. They’re so proud of you. Sarah...she was proud of you.”

Why did he have to be so kind and sensitive?

He cupped her jaw and brushed away the tears. Though her mind screamed warning signals, she felt equally compelled to stay right where she was. She ached for his touch, his gentleness. Her heart was like parched, cracked ground and Ryan was a pitcher of cool water.

His lips pressed against hers. She expected a quick kiss of reassurance, but he lingered. Her hands slid over his shoulders and around his neck, pulling him closer. Heart pounding, she soaked in this man. Everything about Ryan that she’d thought she loved at one time.

Oh, how she’d missed him.

He was the one to ease away first, but then he pressed his forehead against hers. She kept her eyes closed while she steadied her heart and held back more tears.