“No.” Marissa plucked the tape from her arm and slid the needle from her vein. “I’m going. My sister could be in danger, and we already know I am. You aren’t leaving me alone in this ambulance.”
Uncle Henry tugged his ear. “Call me if you need me. I’m on duty all night.”
* * *
BLAKE LOADED MARISSA into the cab of his truck and cursed himself for having ever left her alone there. He’d never dreamed anyone, even Nash, would try to take her with three armed lawmen a hundred feet away. Still, he’d known Nash was out there, and he’d failed to keep her safe tonight. That was all him.
She didn’t speak on the drive to Kara’s, and Blake’s gut fisted with the fear her injuries were worse than his uncle knew. What if he’d missed something critical in his evaluation? Or maybe she was just shutting Blake out. Blaming him, with good reason, for her fear and pain. Her head lolled and rocked against the seatback as they sped down winding roads toward her sister’s home. She gazed out the passenger window, effectively keeping her eyes off of his no matter how he tried to catch her attention.
He hated the silence, but couldn’t bring himself to break it. Knowing now how he felt about her and what she meant to him, her quietness felt like a wall keeping him out when all he wanted was in. He shook off the selfish urge to reach for her. Marissa would talk when she was ready, but she clearly wanted space. She’d never gone so long without speaking her mind or asking a question. He gripped the wheel until his knuckles whitened, determined to keep them there. He’d give her whatever she needed, even if what she wanted was away from him.
He sped along the dark winding road as lightning splintered across the night sky, ominous and threatening. The thunder was a wild animal giving warning before each attack. Soon, fat drops of rain exploded against his windshield, winding twisty paths through his view. He hit the wipers and said a silent prayer that this was the worst of it. Too much rain would ruin the trackers’ chances of finding Nash. Even the dogs West had called in would lose the scent in a downpour.
He stole another look at Marissa, hoping she’d forgive him one day for the heartbreak he’d caused her by letting Nash live all those years ago.
A few more hills and one stop sign later, Blake pulled into Kara’s driveway and parked behind West’s cruiser. As promised, the porch light was on along with all the lights inside.
Marissa slid from the truck on wobbly legs. She’d been so quiet the last few moments that he thought she might’ve fallen asleep.
It wasn’t hard to catch up with her on the path to Kara’s door. “Hey, slow down.” He caught her hand and pulled her back. There was no garage here, and only West’s cruiser was in the driveway. Who knew what awaited them inside?
The front door swung open and another version of Marissa sprang toward them, arms open wide. The sleeves of her faded Kentucky University sweatshirt hung past her hands, and her worn-out blue jeans were torn across both knees.
Marissa shook Blake away and collided with, what could only have been, her sister hard enough to throw herself off balance.
“Whoa.” He pressed a steadying palm between her shoulders.
The women rocked foot to foot as they hugged and laughed and sobbed. Wind whipped their hair and clothing. Rain pelted their cheeks.
“I’m so sorry,” Kara cried. “Sheriff Garrett told me everything you’ve been through and I wasn’t here for you. I hate myself.” She pulled back to look at Marissa’s face, tears streaming from her eyes. Wild wisps of damp blond hair clung to her cheeks and forehead, the rest was swept into a messy bun and quickly falling. “Look at you.” She lifted gentle fingers to Marissa’s bruised face, but stopped short of touching the multitude of marks. “Oh my gosh. You didn’t tell me it was this bad. What is happening?” She hugged her again and cried louder. “You said someone tried to take you. You didn’t tell me he hurt you!”
Blake could see where all the emotion went in this family. Kara seemed exuberant enough for the entire town. He pressed forward, corralling them toward the steps. “Can we take this inside, please?” Nash was still out there somewhere, and if he wasn’t in the process of dying, then he was hurting, pissed and looking for revenge. Kara’s house wasn’t far enough from where Blake had last seen him to provide any comfort. The women needed to move their reunion inside. “Let’s go. Come on.”
Kara pulled back again. This time to glare at Blake. “Are you the one who’s supposed to be keeping her safe? The sheriff told me about what just happened. He told me you were on the way, but he didn’t say she’d show up looking like this.”
Blake felt the blood drain from his face. What was it with Lane women? He pushed the two in front of him toward the door. “Inside. Now.”
West sat at the island of a peppy eat-in kitchen stuffing his face with iced sugar cookies and drinking coffee. He’d hooked the heels of his boots in the rungs of a white padded bar stool and tossed his hat onto the broad laminate countertop. “So, Kara’s fine,” he said, munching his snack. “I got here as the coffee finished brewing.” He hefted his bowl-shaped blue mug with a grin.
Marissa curled onto an overstuffed yellow couch in the adjacent sitting area and wiped her face with her palms. She pulled a furry white pillow into her arms. “Where have you been? Where’s your car? Why haven’t you called. Do Mom and Dad know you’re okay?”
Blake stifled a smile. That was the Marissa he was used to.
Kara stretched her eyes wide. “You have no idea what I’ve been through today.”
