“She’s alone in that house. Doesn’t see people very often. Keeps Ev at a distance and hasn’t really opened up to anyone. Having someone in her space day in and day out might change that.”
I arched a brow. “You’re hoping we’ll braid each other’s hair and paint each other’s toenails?”
“Hey, I think you’d look good with an updo and some glitter on those nails.”
I chuckled, but it died away as Addie’s face flashed in my memory. The fear in her expression. The color completely leached from her normally rosy cheeks. “Is there anyone I should be keeping an eye out for?”
A muscle in Hayes’ jaw ticked. “There’s no reason Allen or Ian Kemper should be anywhere near that house.”
“Ian’s still in jail, isn’t he?” Everly’s brother had been convicted of several more minor charges in relation to her kidnapping. As far as I was concerned, he should rot for the rest of his days.
Hayes’ hand tightened on the doorframe, knuckles bleaching white. “There’s a chance he could get out early. Overcrowding.”
“Hell,” I muttered.
“We’re hoping he learned his lesson and stays away. Ev has a permanent restraining order, so that helps.”
My brother was the best of men, set on helping everyone he could, and a believer in the letter of the law. But I didn’t think a piece of paper would help if someone were determined. The cops couldn’t do anything until it was too late. “I hope you’re right.”
Hayes pushed off the doorjamb. “We’re taking precautions.”
“Good.” I knew he would do everything humanly possible to keep Everly safe.
I slung both duffles over one shoulder. “I should get going. Thanks again for letting me crash at your place.”
Hayes clapped me on the shoulder. “Anytime. I’m glad you’re back. I missed you.”
I tried to take the words as he intended them, as a kindness, but I couldn’t help that flicker of guilt. “Thanks, man. I missed you, too.”
I had missed him. I’d missed every member of my family. I hadn’t missed the reminders of all the hurt I’d caused them along the way, though. Guilt pricked at me. Maybe I should’ve stuck it out at the ranch longer. Put up with Mom’s hovering and folding my damn underwear. That was a fraction of the punishment I deserved.
But then Addie’s face flashed in my mind again. The fear in her expression. The thought of her father or Ian doing something to put that there had me tightening the grip on my duffles. She deserved someone at her back. I just hoped like hell I could be that person. I didn’t have the best track record.
I pulled into the driveway, letting my truck idle and staring up at the house. It was a historic farmhouse that Hayes had rehabbed into a mix of modern with throwback touches. A massive porch wrapped around the home, decorated with rockers, a porch swing, and flowers lining the steps.
As I shut off my engine, I also noticed that it was quiet. The homes in this section of town were set on large lots so the neighbors weren’t on top of each other, but they were close enough to the center of things that you could walk anywhere you wanted to go. That was convenient since I didn’t think Addie had a car.
I pushed open my door and slid out of my truck. I grabbed my bags from the cab but decided to leave my motorcycle in the bed for now—it would be a bear to get it unloaded.
I cut across the lawn to the walkway and started up the stairs. As my foot landed on the first stair, the front door opened. Addie stood in the doorway, the sun hitting her just right. It was as if she were dusted with gold from the light. It made her skin and hair glow. I almost missed the next step.
I found my footing, and my gaze went right back to Addie. She had a pull. Some mix of innocence with a spine of steel. The combination was potent.
“Hey,” I said lamely.
Addie pulled her sweater tighter around herself, and I didn’t miss the slight tremble in her hands as she did. I muttered a curse under my breath. The last thing I wanted was Addie frightened in her own home.
I stopped, standing still. “Purple elephant?”
Her lips twitched, and she shook her head, those golden waves shifting around her face. “I’m good. I just wanted to see if you needed any help.”
I shrugged my shoulder with the bags on it. “This is everything. Well, this and the bike, but I’ll deal with that later.”
Her eyes widened a fraction. “You travel light.”
“That I do. Want to show me my room? Or you can just point me in that direction.”
“Sure.” Addie stepped back into the house, giving me a wide berth. She started up the stairs, but instead of turning for the guest bedrooms, she went in the direction of the main one that had once been Hayes’. “I thought you’d be most comfortable here.”