“Thank you.”

He wiped my tears. “Still, if I ever find out he behaves inappropriately, I can’t be held responsible for what his face looks like after we have a chat.” The look in his eyes told me he meant every word.

“I love you.”

He gave me a soft kiss. “I love you too.” He stood and picked up the bag and set it on the coffee table. “And now I’m going to keep us safe.”

I only hoped Jed was keeping Skeeter safe too.

Chapter Sixteen

Mason didn’t sleep well. He kept getting out of bed and checking the windows and doors. He’d turned on the alarm system he’d put in after our break-in last December, but he kept checking it to make sure it was still on.

When he came to back to bed for what seemed like the twentieth time, I pulled him close and rested my head in the crook of his arm. “Is Deputy Miller still outside?”

“Yeah.”

“You don’t trust him to keep watch?”

“I do, but it’s just him out there. I’ll feel better if I keep an eye on things myself.”

“Okay.”

“Rose?” he whispered in the dark.

“Hmm?” I asked, already drifting off to sleep.

“Maybe you should go stay with my mom.”

That woke me up right quick. I lifted my head. “Are you going too?”

“No.”

I settled back down. “Then I’m staying with you.”

He was surprisingly quiet.

“No argument?” I asked in surprise.

“I didn’t expect you to agree, but I had to try anyway.” His fingers began to stroke my back. “I think you should carry some kind of protection.”

“What does that mean? A gun?”

“No, not a gun. You’re not used to handling one, so you could end up hurting yourself.”

“Then what?”

“A Taser.”

I bolted upright. “Nuh-uh. Jonah’s momma Tased me when she kidnapped me.”

“Then you know how incapacitating it is…but it’s also not lethal. It could give you the chance to get away without requiring you to use deadly force.”

“Get away from what?”

He sat up next to me. “Rose, it’s a smart idea for you to have a way to protect yourself no matter where you are or what you’re doing. Trouble has a penchant for finding you. Short of keeping you in a padded room, it’s the next best thing to make sure you’re safe.”

I sucked in a deep breath. “And what’s to keep me from accidentally Tasing myself or someone else?”

“I’ll make sure you know how to use it so you’ll feel safe pulling it out if you need it.”

I had to admit it was a good idea, and it also took care of my promise to Skeeter, so why was I so reluctant? “Okay.”

“Tomorrow morning I’ll meet you at Bubba’s Gun Shop and I’ll help you pick one out.”

I lay back down and pulled him with me. “I’ll let you have your way. I’m getting a Taser, now get some sleep.”

“Say that again,” he teased as he settled down next to me and pulled me into his arms.

“Say what again?” I asked through a yawn.

“You’ll let me have my way.” I heard the grin in his voice.

I softly swatted his chest. “Gloating is not attractive, Mason Deveraux. And besides, I let you have your way with me all the time.” My voice was heavy with innuendo.

His hand slid down my back to my behind and I let him have his way with that too. But when Mason’s alarm went off the next morning, I was exhausted from lack of sleep.

He kissed my cheek when I stirred. “Do you want to have breakfast together before we go to the gun shop?”

I stretched and remembered I already had breakfast plans. Only Mason didn’t know about my research into Dora’s background. Just stick to the basics. “I would love to, but I’m having breakfast with Jessica and her mother.”

He blinked in surprise. “Who?”

I pushed up on my elbows. “You know, Jonah’s girlfriend.”

“Oh.” He squinted in confusion. “I didn’t realize you and Jessica were friends.”

“It’s nothing really,” I said as I slid out of bed. “When Neely Kate and I were at Jonah’s church yesterday, Jessica mentioned that she and her momma were having breakfast in the morning and she invited us to come.”

“You were at Jonah’s church yesterday?” He shook his head as he got out of bed and followed me into the bathroom. “I swear you traipse literally all over this county.” He pressed his front to my back as I picked up my toothbrush, and he found my gaze in the mirror. “Just try to stick closer to town for awhile, okay? At least until this Gentry mess is cleared up. Although the Henryetta PD isn’t much comfort. All the more reason for you to have some means of defending yourself.”

I wasn’t sure how much comfort we should take in the Fenton County Sheriff’s Department either if Joe wasn’t going to follow up on our leads.

After showering in a hurry, I sent Neely Kate a quick text to ask her if she was still up for breakfast.

I’m in, Yellow Lizard. Don’t ask any questions until I get there. LOL.

I snickered and walked out of the bathroom just as Mason finished dressing. He pulled out his handgun, and I eyed it nervously, also noticing the holster he’d already strapped over his shoulder.