Chapter 34

Leo Merritt turned over in bed, wondering why he was having such a hard time falling asleep. Probably because Hilary wasn't lying beside him. Habits built over the years were hard to deviate from. He missed the soft warmth of her body and the gentle sound of her breathing.

He punched his pillow, trying to mold it into a more comfortable position. His mind turned again to Fred, the very strange man he'd impulsively given a ride to and fed an evening meal. Really strange, as a matter of fact. Wouldn't even come into the house to share dinner. Insisted on eating outside.

And what was all that about bedding down in the garage? You'd think a man as rootless as Fred would welcome a soft bed for a night instead of insisting on that old iron cot Leo kept in a corner for day laborers to rest on. Whenever he hired one, that is.