Framed Shadows: Shadows Landing #6 by Kathleen Brooks (well read books TXT) 📗

his arm along the back of the couch and cupped her shoulder with his hand. He gave her a little nudge, and it surprised him when Tinsley instantly reacted and scooted closer to him. She leaned against his side and rested her head on his shoulder as she stared out the living room windows.

“You could say that. They think there’s more going on than there is,” Tinsley admitted. “They’re also worried about my safety.”

“I’d never let anyone hurt you, Tinsley.”

“I know,” Tinsley said instantly, and Paxton felt a calming warmth settle over him. She trusted him. It made him feel like a superhero.

“It’s strange,” Paxton said.

“What is?” Tinsley asked.

“Your family made the same mistake I made, but I figured it out in less than a minute and yet they still haven’t figured it out after twenty-eight years.”

Tinsley turned toward him so that her hand rested on his chest as she looked up at him. “Figured what out?”

“That you aren’t some fragile little flower. Underneath the sweet smile, the kindness, and the caring, you have a backbone of solid steel. You didn’t wilt when I challenged you at our first meeting. Instead, you challenged me back. You didn’t crumble when Maurice came into your gallery. No, you used your intelligence to get more information about the case than I’ve been able to gather for the past three months. I’m just surprised your family doesn’t see it.”

“You see that when you look at me?” Tinsley asked.

Paxton nodded as he used his finger to push back a lock of hair from her face. “I see that and more, Tinsley.”

“You know what I see when I look at you?”

Paxton shook his head. He didn’t know if he wanted to hear this. He’d taken years to craft the hard exterior he showed the world. He knew he could come off arrogant and demanding. It was necessary for his survival.

“I see someone who will do anything to solve a case. Not just any case, but the most dangerous cases to keep the most dangerous criminals off the streets. However, underneath that is just a man afraid of the knitting club. And any man afraid of the knitting club has to have a kind heart. Otherwise, you’d just tell all those little old ladies to get lost. You’re also a man who, when he says he’ll do something, he does. You said you’d protect me. I know you will. You’re smart, capable, and dare I say, sweet.”

Paxton snorted with disbelief. “No one has called me sweet. Ever.”

“Maybe I see something others don’t, just like you see a part of me others don’t. While you’ve teased me, it’s never been done meanly. It’s been your way of showing that you respect my knowledge of art. When I called you for help, you came. When you held baby Chase, he smiled. I’m sure that’s hard for your ego to handle, but I see it. There is kindness underneath the hard exterior. You’re actually not all that different from Ryker.”

“Ryker? The billionaire?”

“There’s more going on there than he ever shows, but that’s his story to tell. Just know I see you. All of you.”

Paxton felt as if he’d been punched in the gut. He wanted to pull her tight against him and kiss her with all the feelings swirling through him, but he couldn’t. “You say you trust me, and trust me when I say I wish I could kiss you right now. I promised I wouldn’t let anyone hurt you and that includes protecting you from myself. I want you, but I’m still planning on going back to Violent Gangs.”

He felt Tinsley’s body sigh against his. “See, I told you that you were a sweet guy.” Tinsley lifted her face toward his and placed a slow, soft kiss on his cheek before standing up. “Goodnight, Paxton.”

“Goodnight, Tinsley.” Paxton watched her head upstairs to her room and a sense of panic almost overtook him. He was watching his future slip away from him, and he’d been the one to send her away.

Tinsley had spent another sleepless night in bed. Her eyes were puffy and she resembled a raccoon with dark circles under her eyes. This morning it took three layers of concealer to hide the exhaustion. Before last night, she’d had a physical attraction to Paxton. Now it went much deeper. The more time they spent together talking, the more she fell for him. She wasn’t trying to fall for him, but here she was, walking by his side down the closed Main Street, laughing and getting deeper and deeper into trouble.

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” Paxton said as he took in the Summer Shadows Festival.

“It’s one of our fundraisers for the church. Twenty-five percent of all sales go to fund our self-defense classes and to hire a specialized metal worker to come in and sharpen all the weapons. You have to be careful with swords that are hundreds of years old,” Tinsley told him as they stopped to get an iced tea for him and a lemon shake-up for her.

“Weapons? Why does the church have weapons?” Paxton asked, and Tinsley laughed.

“It’s not a normal church.”

Paxton shook his head in wonder. “I’m beginning to think there’s nothing normal about Shadows Landing.”

Tinsley smiled up at him and winked. “I knew you were a smart one.”

They strolled down the street and stopped at each table, checking out decorations made from coconuts or palms. They bought baked goods, looked over artwork and furniture made from reclaimed wood. But then Tinsley’s steps faltered as her hand flew to cover her mouth. Paxton instantly went on alert next to her and even moved to block her from danger.

“What is it? Is it Maurice?” Paxton asked as he scanned the people around them.

Tinsley shook her head as a giggle escaped around her fingers. She lifted her other hand and pointed. She knew when Paxton saw it because he smothered a laugh under a cough.

“Why is there a huge banner with a picture of your cousin