After soup and grilled cheese sandwiches, Delta is worn out, but she has one phone call to make. She excuses herself and returns to Daniel's room to make her call in private. Easton is Phillips fiancé and a lawyer. Delta wants her opinion on this case, and she sighs, knowing when she makes this call, they are going to swarm in. She grins when Easton answers.
“I knew sending you to that place was a bad idea! I mean, who needs fresh air and space!” Delta laughs and leans back in her chair.
“Easton, it's beautiful here. You'll change your mind when you see it. I'm in some trouble, and I need your advice.” Her laughter fades as she explains in detail what has gone on.
“Listen to me, Delta. I will check into this, until then, I don’t want you alone. Where are you staying?” She demands.
“Don't be ridiculous, Easton, I'm a grown woman, I've been alone for years,” she snaps feeling a little testy from everyone telling her what to do.
“I know that, but as your lawyer, I'm telling you that these kinds of perpetrators tend to escalate each time.” Easton is a woman's rights attorney with fifteen years' experience. “From what you're describing to me it has already begun. Your life has been threatened twice already. Stop screwing around, Delta and listen to me. If not for us, then do it for your boys.”
“Well, hell. Daniel will never let me forget you took his side,” she mumbles.
“Daniel, he’s your cowboy, right? Let me talk to him.” Easton orders.
“No, Easton, there's no reason for you to speak to him…”
Daniel jerks the phone from her hand and introduces himself.
“How dare you!” Delta exclaims.
“Shh, beautiful, I can't hear,” Daniel says with a laugh. Delta grabs her crutch and thinks about throwing it at him. Easton speaks to him for a few moments before he agrees with her, “I understand, yes, of course. No, I believe we kept the can, I put it inside the barn, but it was cleaned so the bear wouldn't return. I will email you both employee files tomorrow morning.” They talk for a few more minutes before Daniel finishes and hands her the phone.
“Delta you will listen to him. I'm in court tomorrow, but Phillip and I will be on the first flight Monday, and the boys will have to be told.”
“No, Damn it, there is enough testosterone here already. Please… Easton, I won't have them disrupt their lives for me. They are coming for Easter, that's only two weeks from now. Surely this will be cleared up by then.”
Daniel sits on the edge of his bed and stares at her as she wrangles a promise from Easton that she won’t tell the boys, yet. “Promise me you will listen to Daniel.”
“You don’t even know him, why would I promise you that?” She grumbles ignoring the way his dark eyes sparkle at her.
“Promise me, Delta!” Easton orders.
“I promise to listen to Daniel, Easton,” she says in her best southern accent. Daniel grins and sits up taller causing Delta to kick him with her good leg.
“Ow,” he chuckles and rubs his shin.
“I love you too,” she murmurs before ending the call.
“You heard her, you have to listen to Daniel, and Daniel says it's time for Delta to go to bed.” Delta stifles a yawn and stares at him.
“Don't let that go to your head, Daniel, but I am tired. Those pain pills knock me out. Thank you, for taking such good care of me. This trip has turned into a nightmare.” Daniel frowns and turns the bed down for her, so she will not see how her words affect him.
“Except for meeting you and your family. I do not regret that for a second,” she states. He turns and sweeps her up into his arms, and she sighs, resting her head on his shoulder. Daniel presses a kiss to her brow.
“Daniel…” she sighs.
“Yes?” he says walking towards the bed.
“Nothing, just Daniel,” she smiles as he lowers her to the bed.
Daniels' heart trips as he leans back from her. Delta lifts a hand and captures the back of his neck. “Kiss me, so I dream of you instead of shadows chasing me.” His kiss is gentle, soft and sweet. Exactly what she needed.
“Sleep well, I will watch over you tonight.” Her eyes are already closing.
When he returns to the living room his father is waiting. “Abby is packing for her trip. Daniel the police called. They can’t find Melody or her cousin.” Chase is pale with worry. “Now, I’m not a police officer, but I know this isn’t good.”
“No, it isn't. I'm glad Abby's going to her Moms on Monday. We will just have to hire security. They aren't stupid enough to show up at work, and if they step foot near Delta again, we will have to make sure to get proof,” Daniel says.
“They won’t know Delta is staying here, so my bet is that they will go after her at the small house. What we need is a plan,” Chase decides. They spend the next two hours plotting out a trap for Melody and her helper.
“I’m glad you’re here to help, Dad. I will need help keeping an eye on Abby.”
“Of course, son.” Chase goes to bed, and Daniel locks up, making sure all the windows and doors are sealed. Sasha follows him, observing.
“Good girl, Sasha.”
When Daniel returns to his room, Delta is sleeping sound. He brushes his teeth and takes out his pistol from the safe inside his bedroom closet. A rifle is excellent for big game or distance, but his .45 is his first choice for home defense.
