waning as she argued with him.
Bella walked her fingers up his chest and the air crackled again. “I want to know why my kisses made you laugh.”
Hank glanced heavenward and shook his head. “It wasn’t your kiss that made me laugh. It was a different thought.” He gave her a peck, then another one, hoping to get her back on track. “Your kisses make me lose my mind,” he said between quick touches.
“Not enough that you can’t think funny thoughts,” she retorted.
Hank hung his head back and groaned. “Bella!”
“Shhh!” She put a finger to his lips.
“What are you—”
Bella’s fierce glare caused him to snap his mouth shut. As soon as he did, he realized a strange noise was coming from...the walls.
Hank stiffened, then let go of Bella and slowly crept across the hardwood, trying not to make any noise. A scuffling sound was coming from the corner of the room, as if a mouse or other creature was inside the wall. However, the noise was much too large for a normal rodent.
Hank put his ear to the wall and his eyebrows shot up. Someone was muttering. Crap, he thought. The perp is in the tunnels. A smaller head went on the wall as well and Hank scowled.
Grabbing Bella’s hand, he drug her to the center of the room. “I want you to go out into the party and grab Sheriff Davidson,” Hank whispered, pushing her toward the door.
“Are you kidding me?” she whispered back incredulously. “Whoever’s been sabotaging the inn is right there,” her arm went to the wall, “and you think I’m going to hightail it away?”
“Yes,” Hank declared, putting his foot down. “I’m going to need the police if we’re going to catch the guy.” And I want you somewhere safe while I chase them down. “Now hurry before they get away.”
“Not happening.”
“Bella. Go.”
“No.”
Heaven save me from stubborn women. Hank’s anxiety for her was growing by the second. He couldn’t stand the thought of her being in danger, and with each moment that passed, the chances of her either getting hurt or the intruder getting away grew exponentially. “Bella,” he said in a soft tone, hoping to convince her to see things his way. “Please. For me. I’m asking you to go get help.”
His plea did nothing. “I’m not leaving.” She folded her arms over her chest.
Hank opened his mouth, but the noise from the walls grew louder and Bella’s jaw dropped.
“The closet,” she mouthed, pointing behind him.
Hank spun and realized the intruder was entering the room through a small closet in the far corner. Several things in the closet fell over and cursing could be heard. Grabbing Bella, Hank leapt over the couch and took her to the ground behind the furniture. If they were lucky, the intruder wouldn’t see them in this spot.
She groaned when his body landed on top of hers and he had a moment’s worry that his size would crush her.
“Are you okay?” Hank whispered against her ear.
“You’re huge, you know that?” she whispered back, just as inaudibly.
He bit back a grin and laughter. Now was not the time for humor. “I know and I’m sorry.” He put his elbows down and tried to keep his weight from smothering her, only to duck his head even more as he heard someone stomping across the hardwood. His eyes went down to Bella’s wide ones. Hank put a finger to his lips and she nodded jerkily.
“Can’t believe I have to do this again,” a low voice grumbled. “Why can’t someone just get hurt already?” The door to the room opened, then slammed shut quickly.
Hank jumped to his feet.
“Why in the world didn’t you just wait for him to come out and then catch him?” Bella asked, struggling to her feet. Her heels and dress weren’t exactly the right outfit for their escape that evening.
“Because I have no idea who this guy is,” Hank explained, walking quickly to the door. “It could have been some teenager using the tunnels to get into the party.”
“But?”
“But by letting them go I can now follow, and if they do something untoward, I’ll have evidence to take them down.”
“Great.” Bella pulled off her high heels and dropped them, then hurried to his side. “Let’s go.” She rubbed her hands together.
“You’re not coming with me,” Hank said forcefully, keeping his face neutral. “You stay here and then in two minutes, go get the sheriff.” He put up a hand to stop her argument. “Stop, Bella. You promised in the beginning you’d