“We’ll have to subpoena the records to see who he was talking to,” Will said. “I’ve already had someone in my office start the paperwork. We should have it signed by a judge within the next couple of hours.”
Reed let out a breath. Things were moving, but not fast enough. Whoever hired Vernon was still out there and free. What was to prevent him from trying to kill Emma a second time?
Emma sank into the seat of Reed’s SUV. Exhaustion seeped into her muscles. She wanted a shower, some apple pie and a cuddle with her daughter. Sadie let out a sigh as she settled into the back seat.
The dome light didn’t come on when Reed opened the driver’s side door and climbed in. The engine rumbled to life. His strong hands held the wheel firmly, and his gaze flicked to the mirrors every so often as the hospital faded in the distance.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Emotionally drained, but otherwise I’m fine.” She bit her lip. “Actually, I’m not fine. It was bad enough someone was stalking and trying to hurt me, but tonight Molly got caught in the cross fire. Vernon used his own daughter to set a trap for me.”
“Which isn’t your fault. You’re not responsible for Vernon’s actions.”
“I know. Mentally, I get it. But I can’t turn off my feelings so easily. I’m furious and I feel guilty. Molly’s just a child, Reed. She didn’t deserve what happened to her tonight.”
He reached across the seat and took her hand. His palm was warm, the calluses rubbing lightly against the ridges of her knuckles. “You aren’t the only one feeling that. I carry it, too. Maybe it’s natural because of who we are.”
Maybe it was. Reed’s childhood had been marred by his father’s abandonment and his mother’s depression. Hers had been one of constant motion and chaos with new people and frequent moves. Circumstances had forced both of them into accepting responsibility for things outside of their control. It was a bond they’d shared as teenagers and, it seemed, now, as well.
“You did a good job tonight, Emma. You’re tough.” His mouth quirked up. “You’d make a fantastic law enforcement officer.”
She laughed and wiped a stray tear from her cheek. “No, thank you. I’m much better at Search and Rescue.”
“Don’t tell Sadie, but I’m sure I owe her three boxes of biscuits now.”
“You don’t have to tell her. She’s keeping score, I guarantee it.”
He squeezed her hand. “I promise, Emma, we will get to the bottom of this.”
“I know you will.”
But what would be the cost until then? She trusted Reed to protect her and her family, but he wasn’t invincible. He couldn’t prevent everything or be everywhere at once. Tonight had been a close call. If Reed hadn’t been wearing his bulletproof vest, things would’ve ended very differently. Just the thought of it sent her heart into overdrive.
Beyond the windshield, Emma could see the lights of her home winking through the trees. Her daughter would be asleep now, nestled in her bed, along with her stuffed lamb. Should they leave town? Abandon Helping Paws? The idea was gut-wrenching but there was more to consider than just herself. She had a daughter to protect.
Lord, please give me strength and guidance. Tell me what I’m supposed to do.
Reed squeezed her hand and she interlocked her fingers with his. A simple gesture and yet it brought her comfort. She wasn’t in this alone.
Have faith. It was easy during good times. So much harder in the darker ones. Life was testing her, throwing curveballs she hadn’t expected, but Emma had moved to Heyworth for a reason. She believed God was leading her. Maybe, just maybe, He’d sent Reed to help her through it.
The headlights picked up an object sailing through the night. It landed on the road in front of them. Emma blinked. Was that...a grenade?
“Reed!” she shouted.
He swerved. Emma’s head slammed into the side of the SUV. A bright light preceded the sound of exploding glass. Then they were tumbling over and over.
Everything went black.
EIGHT
Awareness came slowly, like moving through a soupy fog. Reed smelled smoke and pine. His chest hurt. Something warm and wet swiped across his face.
He forced his eyes open. A tree branch was shoved through the shattered windshield. It took him far too long to realize he was upside down, his shoulder caught in the seat belt. The memories flashed like light bulbs. The grenade rolling into the road. His attempt to miss it. The explosion and the SUV rolling over. Emma’s screams.
Emma. He twisted his head and was looking at a wall of fur. Sadie, freed from her seat belt in the collision, was blocking his view. “Emma, are you okay?”
She didn’t respond. Reed fumbled for the seat belt release. For some mysterious reason, one of his headlights still functioned. The other was buried in the pine tree the vehicle had crashed into. Sadie licked the side of his face, her tongue leaving a wet trail. She had woken him. “Emma! Answer me!”
His fingers found the button and Reed pressed down. The seat belt gave way. He crashed in a heap onto the roof of the destroyed SUV. Glass shards cut into his pants and the palms of his hands.
He pushed Sadie out of the way. His breath caught. Emma was unconscious. The side of her face was covered in blood. “Please, Lord, no.”
Sadie whined. Deeply embedded training cut through the shock caused by the accident. With a shaking hand, he reached out and touched Emma’s neck. The thump of her pulse was strong.
“Thank you, Lord.”
His fingers searched and located a large gash hidden in her hair. Emma moaned. She needed help. She needed a hospital.
The extent of their problem wasn’t just her injury. Whoever had thrown the grenade out into the road could still be nearby. Was he close enough
