Decoding the Truth by Julie Miller

Author:Julie Miller
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-08-31T19:16:51+00:00

Chapter Nine

“Why doesn’t Buck deserve to be happy?”

Buck’s gaze swung to the open door as Chelsea stepped into the lounge. “Chels.”

She hugged her laptop to her chest with one hand and held her phone to her ear with the other. But even as she wrapped up her conversation, her frown of concern was fixed squarely on him. “Of course I will, Detective,” she spoke into the phone. “I’ll copy you on everything I find.”

“Chelsea—”

“Is it because you’re grumpy?” She tucked her phone into the pocket of her slacks. “You’re not. That’s an act to keep people at arm’s length and make them think you’re tough. People who know you respect you, and those who don’t are intimidated by you, anyway. Do you feel guilty about Bobby and think you have to pay some kind of penance? Everyone deserves to be happy. Maybe you more than anyone—”

“Take a breath.” Buck crossed to Chelsea and brushed his fingers across her cheek and cupped her delicate jaw. He inhaled and slowly released his breath, watching her nostrils flare, once, twice, again, as she matched her breathing rhythm to his. Chelsea was clearly upset. But he wondered how much of the anxiety lining her hazel eyes was concern about what she’d overheard at the end of his conversation with Rufus, and how much had to do with that phone call or whatever it was she wanted to talk to him about. Rufus had been right about one thing. He wanted to make Chelsea’s life safer, easier—not add more stress.

“Rufe is worried about me putting my personal life on hold until I find Bobby,” Buck explained. “But I’m happy.”

Happy enough. He had happy moments. Although it was a little alarming to realize most of those moments were when he was with her. When had that happened?

She didn’t look like she believed him. “Are you putting your personal life on hold? Is that why that kiss freaked you out? I forced you out of your holding pattern?”

“Nothing’s wrong.” Ignoring the question and refusing to admit that he would freak out about anything, he released her. He wanted to move past this touchy-feely conversation that was too focused on him and get to a topic he could do something about. “You look tired this morning. You getting enough sleep?”

Chelsea arched an eyebrow above her glasses and looked to Rufus. “Does he always change the subject when you’re talking about him?”

Rufus laughed out loud. “Preaching to the choir, sister. On that note, I’ll leave you two alone. She’s good. For. You.” He mouthed the message to Buck before patting Chelsea’s shoulder. “This guy gives you any trouble, let me know.”

“I will.”

“I’m not going to give her...” But Rufus was striding down the hallway, chuckling every step of the way, as if he understood something Buck didn’t. Swallowing his irritation, Buck turned his focus back to Chelsea. “You’re done with Grayson?” She nodded, but still hung back, as if wary of being alone with him. That felt like a well-deserved stab to the heart.

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