“Yeah.”

We sat in silence, both unsure what to say.

Then I remembered the gun in the shed. “Joe, did you kill Sloan?”

“No, Rose. I did not kill Sloan.”

“Then how did you get the gun that killed him in my shed?”

“That wasn’t the gun used to kill Sloan. But it’s the same caliber.”

“Why did you put it in my shed?”

“To set you up.”

“Why would you do that?” I tried to jerk away, but he had a firm grip.

“To save you. Thursday night after I left you, I found out Crocker had given up on me gettin’ the information from you. He said he was goin’ to find you Friday and give you the Saturday night deadline. I knew I needed a backup plan, so I hid the gun in your shed. When I realized you were still goin’ to meet Crocker, especially after you tried to run away at Walmart, I called the police anonymously. I told them the gun that shot Sloan was hidden in your shed. I figured they’d lock you up for a few days until they figured out it wasn’t the right gun. I didn’t want you to be arrested, but it was better than lettin’ Crocker kill you.”

I was mad at him, but I understood. “Did Muffy ever come home?”

“Not that I’ve seen, Rose, but I was gone most of the night, too. She might have come back and we weren’t here to let her in.”

“She’s gone,” I said, my voice breaking as tears flooded my eyes.

“She might come home. That little dog loves you. She just got scared with all the confusion. I’m really sorry. I never even thought about her runnin’ off. I tried to find her.”

“I know, I saw. Thanks,” I said with a sniff. “So why did we come back here if you knew Crocker would send guys looking for me? Why not just run away?”

“Because I have to be part of his big meeting today.”

“Why?”

“I just do.”

“So you really are a criminal. Maybe a criminal with a conscience, but a criminal.”

Joe narrowed his eyes, staring at me. “Do you really believe that, Rose?”

“I don’t want to think so, but you work for Crocker. Doesn’t that make you a criminal?”

“Maybe I have other reasons for working for Crocker. After his big meeting with his partners today, I won’t have to anymore.”

“You promise?” I asked, unable to stop the hopeful tone I used. I was having a hard time adjusting to the fact that my boyfriend was a criminal, but he did save my life and he said he planned to give it up.

Boyfriend. Where did that come from? I remembered my list and smiled. “I checked another item off my list. Ride a motorcycle.”

“So what does that leave left? Get a boyfriend and play in the rain.”

“And do more with a man.”

“I told you, you’ve got that one covered.”

“Not quite.”

“And when did you play in the rain? It hasn’t rained in almost two weeks.”

“At the splash park, with Violet and her kids.”

He shook his head. “Nope, doesn’t count. It has to be real rain.” Joe kissed me, his kiss that made me forget things. “So I think the only one you have left is play in the rain because I’d like to take care of the boyfriend wish for you.”

“You kiss a whole lot better than Daniel Crocker.” I murmured when he pulled away.

The look in his eyes told me he didn’t appreciate the comparison.

“When do you have to go to work tomorrow?” I asked, standing up and pulling off my jeans.

“Eleven-thirty.” He watched me, his eyes widening as I stripped off my shirt.

I looked over at the clock. “It’s three in the mornin’. I think you need some sleep so you’ve got your wits about you.”

“Sleepin’ with you will prove a challenge,” he murmured, pulling me down on the bed.

“Why’s that?”

“Because I won’t be thinkin’ about sleepin’.”

I reached my arms around his neck and pulled his mouth to mine. “Then let’s do something to make you sleepy.”

And that was how I finally took care of number fifteen.

Chapter Twenty-Five

We woke up around eight and Joe was antsy. I had no idea what he had planned for Crocker’s big meeting and he refused to tell me.

I made French toast for breakfast, just to prove myself capable of cooking, but Joe was too preoccupied to eat. He excused himself several times to make phone calls in his room. He told me to make myself at home, but to stay inside and away from the windows. He worried I’d go out anyway. Muffy still hadn’t come home.

Around ten-thirty, he sat beside me on the sofa, pretending to watch a documentary about prairie dogs on the Discovery Channel.

“I’ve been thinking about your visions,” he said, holding my hand. “Can you make your visions happen?”

“No, they just come. I always fought them, but the one I had with Ashley, I didn't fight and it had more details.”

“Have you ever tried to have one? To make it happen?”

“No, Momma said they were a sign of my demon possession.”

Joe snorted. “It’s a good thing I didn't know your Momma. You are not demon-possessed.”

After the last night in bed with Joe, I wasn't so sure about that.

“Why don’t you try it,” he coaxed, “on me?”