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them.”
    “Yes.”
    “Am I going to have to go there? To Springfield and answer questions?”
    “I don’t know but I’ll try not to let that happen. Maybe if you’ll talk to Todd, he can keep you out of the rest of it.”
    “When?” She paled again.
    “Soon, but I’ll see if I can put him off for a few days if you want me to.”
    “Can I think about it a little?”
    “Sure.” He handed her one of his business cards that he’d added his personal numbers to. “Give me a call tonight or tomorrow.” She nodded. “Tori, he’ll need to hear all of it, including what you left out earlier.”
    She looked startled but didn’t deny it. “It doesn’t have anything to do with what they did to that Mindy.”
    “He’ll still need to know. You could bounce it off me first. It might not be so hard to say if you’ve already spoken about it.”
    “I can’t,” she insisted, her eyes refilling with tears.
    “Aw, Christ. I’m sorry.” He lifted her across the Jeep and onto his lap, tucking her head under his chin.
    A short time later, through her sniffles, Tori asked, “You always do this?”
    “Do what?”
    “Touch people so much.”
    “Family and close friends, yeah. Potential witnesses or victims, never. Do you shy away from physical contact with everyone or just me?”
    “Everyone, but how did you know?”
    “Experience. I have four sisters and dozens of cousins. Add in all their friends over the years and I can honestly say that you are the first female who resisted being held once the tears started.”
    “But I didn’t push you away.”
    “I know and the Alpha male in me thanks you for that.” He managed a smile. “It’s highly inappropriate for me to be asking this but are you involved with anyone?”
    “Involved as in dating? No.”
    “Thank God. That’s one line I haven’t crossed with you.” He cuddled her close again for a few minutes. With a sigh, Guy shifted her back to her seat. “I guess I should let you get home. Call me when you get there?”
    “Guy.”
    “Please, Tori. I’d much rather follow you home but I won’t if you humor me.”
    “Fine. Jeez, you really are as bad as Diana.”
    “Then you’ll call her too?”
    “Always do,” she frowned. “You’re going to want to hear about the others, aren’t you? And Todd.”
    He nodded. “Eventually but I won’t push.”
    “Thanks but you might have to. I, um, I am sorry I didn’t tell you the other part today.”
    “You going to?”
    “Yeah.”
    “Then there’s no need to apologize. You’ll tell me soon enough. Until then, I’ll demonstrate my unlimited patience and wait for you to be ready.” Guy cupped her cheek and couldn’t resist running his thumb over her lips. “Soft. So kissable. Tell me to get out now before I forget that I’m ignoring how much I want to get involved with you.”
    Tori pressed against his hand for a split second before drawing back. “Please go now, Guy.”
    “Take your time and drive safely. And don’t forget to call me.”
    Tori rolled her eyes but agreed.
    Halfway out of the Jeep, Guy paused. “If you need anything, literally anything, no matter what time it is, I’m just a phone call away.”
    “Guy.”
    “Don’t say it. I know it’s too soon for you to accept that I mean that unconditionally. You’ll learn.” He squeezed the hand that was clutching the steering wheel. “Let me know what you decide about meeting with Todd.”

Chapter Six
     
    For four days, Tori kept looking over her shoulder, expecting to find Guy lurking in the shadows. She hadn’t spoken with him since she’d called Sunday morning and asked him to hold Todd off as long as he could. He’d agreed, telling her that he’d relayed everything she’d said and the authorities were already working with her information.
    Tori hadn’t slept well all week but for a change, it wasn’t due to bad dreams. No, the trouble now was her overactive imagination. Whenever she relaxed, her thoughts drifted to Guy,