She pulled and tugged on his arm to get him to move, to run to the safety of his car. Maybe keep going until he got on a ferry headed for Seattle and away from her. “Don’t you see? You’re a target now.”

He outweighed her. All the advantage was on his side. He shifted and took a step or two. Never touched her as she tried to shove him out, but didn’t back away either. “This—whatever is happening right now and all the pushing—is because you’re worried about my safety?”

Her hands dropped to her sides and she stood there, willing him to possess an ounce of self-preservation. “Of course.”

The expression on his face morphed from confusion to more of a frustrated male what-are-you-talking-about look. “I’ll be fine.”

“You don’t know that.”

He started to shake his head, then stopped. “You’re right. I don’t. But I’m not walking away from you because some anonymous asshole tells me to.”

Frustration swamped her. It was pretty hard to save a guy who refused to understand he was at risk. But under the grumbling and spiking panic lurked another feeling. A lightness that made her dizzy. Relief. All-consuming, unexpected relief.

All the fight ran out of her. “You don’t even like me very much. You know, because of the miscommunication at your cabin.”

He snorted. “Is that what we’re calling it today?”

She fought the urge to brush his damp hair off his forehead. To cup his cheek and let the warmth of his body seep into hers. “Let me save you from this, Connor.”

“Do I look like I need someone to rescue me?”

She dropped her hand. “I’ve never met a man more in need of a lifeline than you.”

His head snapped back as if she’d slapped him. “What are you talking about?”

Yeah, they could dive into that messy conversation another time. Maybe never. She spun around and headed for the kitchen counter and her cell phone.

“I’m calling Ben.” She dialed and watched him. “You can—”

“Wait for Ben. I’ll do it on the porch, if you want, but I’m not leaving you alone.”

“This—us being near each other—could end really badly.”

Connor shrugged. “Maybe, but we’re in it now.”

“What does that mean?”

“The person who sent that note has seen us together. Me going home now doesn’t stop that. We’re stuck with each other.”

She’d almost expected him to say something like that. And he didn’t disappoint. “I knew I shouldn’t have made you that pie.”

Chapter 10