Mischief in Mudbug (Ghost-in-Law, #2)(27)

“No, it’s not, I mean…I just didn’t expect to see you here.”

“I needed to talk to a few people around the area. The conversations went a bit longer than I thought they would, and I was hungry.” He shrugged. “I decided to have dinner before I started the drive back. So…is everything all right?”

Sabine shook her head. “No. I don’t think so, but I can’t put my finger on it.”

Beau stepped onto the sidewalk and looked closely at her. “What happened?”

“I saw someone lurking in the shadows on the corner when I left the restaurant.” She let out a single laugh. “Listen to me—lurking in the shadows. I sound like a B horror movie.” She looked at Beau, expecting to see him smiling, but his expression was serious and he didn’t look happy.

“Lurking where, exactly?”

Sabine pointed to the end of the street. “The corner, just in front of the general store. I know I should have just minded my own business and gone home, but after the attempted break-in at my shop, I thought maybe someone was trying to break into the store.”

“And you thought you’d apprehend a thief? Why in the world would you put yourself at risk like that? You’ve got a police station just down the block.”

Sabine smirked. “Yes, and the state of our policemen is why I thought I was a better choice for the job. I might look fragile, but I assure you I can take care of myself.”

“Really…you packing?”

“No. I mean, not on me. I do have a pistol if that’s what you’re asking.”

“Not going to do you a bit of good in your sock drawer.”

Sabine sighed. “Look. I appreciate your concern, really I do, but I’m trained in martial arts—seven years of training to be exact.”

“So you learned that new how-to-stop-a-bullet karate move. Is that what you’re saying?”

“Oh, good Lord! Are you always this aggravating? So maybe I shouldn’t have gone looking for trouble, although I hardly equate walking down Main Street with entering a war zone. Besides, I didn’t get anything but a little dirt on my pants, but the guy sneaking around is going to feel the throbbing in his shoulder for a couple of days.”

Beau studied her for a moment, then smiled. “Martial arts, huh? I assume you kicked him?”

“Yeah, I was off-balance so I used it to my advantage.”

“I’m impressed. That’s an advanced reaction. Well, at least let me walk you home. I know you don’t need an armed guard, but you’ll damage my chivalrous male ego if you turn me down.”

Sabine stared at him, aggravated that she hadn’t insulted his manhood, aggravated that he was impressed, aggravated most of all because she liked the fact that he was impressed. “Fine. If we run into trouble between here and the thirty steps to my doorway, you are free to take control.”

Beau grinned. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

He fell in step with Sabine and they walked up the sidewalk to her building. For just a moment, Sabine thought he was going to take her hand in his and found herself disappointed when he didn’t. What the heck are you thinking? If he touches you, it’s all over. Get your mind off the guy and onto bigger problems.

They were halfway to her building, but the walk already felt like it had taken hours. She had to find something to take her mind off the gorgeous man next to her. Something to keep her from committing the ultimate sin—inviting him inside. She scanned the businesses on Main Street looking for inspiration. Catfish, banks, dirty car, special on canned goods, massage—crap! She blinked once and looked past the Mudbug Hair Salon & Spa. Rubbing naked bodies wasn’t likely to make her forget anything—in fact in the split second it had crossed her mind, she’d added two or three more things to the list of what she’d like to do with Beau Villeneuve.

“Something else on your mind?” Beau asked.

“No.” Sabine held in a groan, certain her face was flaming red. Thank God for a cheap town and dim street lights. “I mean, no more than any other day.”

“You’ve got a lot going on. Maybe you ought to take a break.”

“And do what? Even if I had unlimited funds and someone to take over my business for a while, geography isn’t going to stop my mind from whirling.”

Beau sighed. “No, it’s not.”

Sabine stopped in front of her shop and looked at him. “You say that like someone who tried it.”

“Tried it and failed miserably.” He looked down at the sidewalk.

Sabine bit her lip, knowing she should let this conversation end and go inside, but her curiosity had already gotten the better of her. “So how far did you travel to not forget?”

Beau looked back up at her. “In miles—who knows? Three continents, eleven countries, God knows how many cities, and a couple of islands that aren’t even on the maps.”

“Wow. You weren’t kidding. I’ve never even been out of Louisiana.”

Beau stared. “Wow. You’re kidding.”

Sabine held up two fingers. “Scout’s honor. Unless you count the Gulf of Mexico for an offshore fishing trip.”

Beau laughed. “Not exactly a world tour.”

“No big deal, I guess. And the way things have been lately, there’s plenty of excitement in Mudbug.”