Lucas released her lips and rested his forehead on hers. "You know I would never hurt you."
Tessa pulled back, her eyes narrowed. "Why did you say that?"
He ran his knuckles over her cheek. "Because I never would."
"I think I'd better go now."
Lucas touched the tip of her nose with his finger. "Okay. I don't want to scare you."
Her chin came up and she stiffened her shoulders. "I'm not scared of you."
"Good." He winked and scooted across the seat to open his door. As he came around the vehicle, he stopped and stared at the building. "Tessa?"
She jumped down to join him. "What?"
"Didn't you put the lights out when you locked up before?"
"I thought I did. But it appears there's a couple still burning." She started forward, but came to an abrupt stop when his hand squeezed her shoulder.
He continued to stare at the building. "Do me a favor and get back in the jeep."
Her mouth went dry as dust. "Why? Do you think someone's in there?"
"Probably not, but old training is kicking in." His firm hand settled on her upper arm as he walked her back, opened the Jeep door and escorted her in. "Where are your keys?"
She rummaged in her purse, pulled out a key ring, selected one, and handed him the ring. "It's for the front door."
He leaned over, gave her a light kiss. "Do you have overhead lights in there?"
"I do, the switch is on the right side of the door. Although I never use them, I prefer the table lamps."
"Stay here, I'll come get you once I'm sure it's safe." He closed the door and made a hand gesture for her to lock both doors.
In all the years she'd had the store, there had never been a problem. Truth be told, she'd never once in all that time left the lights burning in the shop after closing.
He proceeded around the building. In less than a minute the overhead lights illuminated the inside. From her seat in the Jeep, she saw him, hands on his hips, surveying the store before he walked slowly toward the kitchen before disappearing from view.
The back door opened. With his cell phone pressed to his ear, he waved at her to join him. Heart pounding, she got out of the Jeep. When she neared Lucas he took her hand and squeezed. The conversation from her end sounded like he spoke to the police.
She took a deep breath, and allowed him to lead her into the kitchen, which looked fine.
Lucas tilted his brow, looking at her uncertainly. "Tessa's Treasures, corner of Main and Sixth." He glanced around the room. "Doesn't seem to be." He squeezed her hand again. "Okay, we'll be here."
She stepped through the kitchen door to the store, and gasped.
)
