you, and I’ll walk you over.”
“You know where I’m going to live?” Which is weird, since I don’t. Liam had thought it was a possibility, but having his guess confirmed felt a little…odd.
“Sure. There’s a bungalow behind the library that was the original library long ago. Walter Tollson—the previous librarian—lived there until he passed away last winter. Rich’ll have the key.”
Liam called Jeffries, and the brief call confirmed Russ’s guess. He promised to meet him at the bungalow.
Russ grinned. “Come on—it isn’t far.”
Liam grabbed his laptop bag and duffel out of his car then followed Russ. He reluctantly left the warmth of the office and flinched as a cold wind knifed through his too-thin jacket.
“You do have a heavier coat, I hope.”
Liam nodded. “Yeah—in my bag. Boots and hat and everything.”
“Good. Because winter isn’t quite over yet, and it’ll be back before you know it.”
Liam followed him across the street and behind the brick two-story building with the Library sign in front. A walkway led to a courtyard in the back and a small bungalow in the Arts and Crafts style. All that mattered to Liam right now was that he had a place to spend the night.
He’d sort everything out tomorrow.
“Liam. I’m so glad you made it here safely.”
Liam turned at the familiar voice. Dr. Richard Jeffries strode up the walk, nearly unrecognizable in his coat and scarf. “Dr. Jeffries. Sorry to bother you so late.”
“Pfft. No bother. I told you to call, and I meant it. I’m beyond happy to have you here with us.” The older man glanced from Liam to Russ. “Did you have car trouble?” The worry in his eyes told Liam his friend might have had a premonition about Liam being in danger.
“His car gave out on him about ten miles from town,” Russ said, slapping Jeffries on the shoulder in greeting with a gloved hand. “I towed him in, got him fed, and now he’s all yours.”
“Thank you,” Liam spoke up, surprised at how much he hated to see Russ go. “For everything.”
“Sure,” Russ replied, with a twinkle in those green eyes. “Welcome to the neighborhood.” He waved then headed back the way they came, and Liam realized too late he was watching the other man walk away.
“Russ is a great guy,” Dr. Jeffries said. “Sorry that you had trouble, but you were in good hands.”
Liam tried hard not to think about Russ’s hands or all the other delicious parts of his body. “He saved my bacon. I would have had a cold night in the car.”
Dr. Jeffries moved past him and unlocked the door, then went to turn on lights. “I came over earlier and got the furnace turned on so it would be warm in here. Double checked that the pipes hadn’t frozen. Left you some doughnuts for breakfast and a can of freshly-ground java for the coffee maker. Made the bed up with clean sheets too. There are some travel-size toiletries courtesy of the last hotel I stayed in. We left Walter’s furniture because we didn’t know what might be needed. You can make your own decisions on that later.”
It was all suddenly too much. Liam sank down on the couch, barely holding it together. The emotional whiplash between Kelson’s betrayal, the Huntsman’s intent to kill him, and now the unexpected kindness of both Russ and Dr. Jeffries was too much.
“Liam, is everything okay?”
Tomorrow, Liam owed his mentor the truth—at least about the Huntsman. He owed Jeffries that much, in case Liam accidentally brought danger to the town that offered him sanctuary. But not tonight. Liam refused to break down because he was afraid that if he did, he might not be able to pull himself back together.
“Yeah. Just not my best day,” he managed. “Thank you. This is all so much more than I could have hoped for, and…I’m a little overwhelmed.”
Dr. Jeffries didn’t push, but from his expression, Liam figured the man could tell there was more he hadn’t said. Hello? He’s psychic.
“Get some sleep,” Jeffries said in a kind tone. “How about if I come by at ten and show you around the library, then give you the town tour?”
Liam nodded, swallowing hard. “I’d like that. Sounds great.”
“I’ll let myself out and lock the door behind me. The key is on the kitchen table. Good night, Liam. See you in the morning.”
Liam heard the door close. A few minutes later, he walked out to double-check the lock and put the key in his wallet since he’d left