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Amber hugged her, a slightly awkward moment with the Sprout between them. “Thanks, Amber. I was nervous when I took the contract here in Phail, but it was the best decision I ever made.”
Amber squeezed her hard, then pulled back to smile at her with watering eyes. “Best thing that’s ever happened to my brother, too. Maybe warn him before you open the door. They’ll all be a little jumpy right now.”
“My phone’s in the Q Lab.”
Amber reached for her phone, which was sitting on the coffee table in front of them. When she grimaced at the movement, Rissa grabbed the phone and passed it to her. “Are you okay?”
Amber nodded with a soft smile. “Just extremely pregnant and moving like the proverbial beached whale.”
Rissa laughed. “Not even a little. What would Gray tell you?”
Her friend’s entire face softened. “He’d say I’m growing our baby and that’s the most beautiful thing in the world.”
“And he’d be right.”
Amber squeezed Rissa’s hand and then opened her phone and sent a text. “I let Gray know you’re coming. He’ll tell Burke. Go, make sure he’s okay.”
Rissa smiled at the echo of her own words to Burke. Enough waiting. Time to get more answers.
Chapter 21
Answer To A Prayer
Burke stood with his brothers, Gray, Seth, Ford, Marcus, a deputy, and Boomer. Rissa and the rest of the people who lived on the farm were inside. Safe.
His blood boiled at the memory of the Q Lab shooting into the air and bouncing onto its side.
Lawson slapped him on the shoulder. “Breathe, Burke. She’s okay. He’s in custody.”
“Are we sure he’s the only one?”
Gray nodded. “Boomer is sure. That’s enough for me.”
The German Shepherd had his gaze locked on the man in custody. Gray and Seth had driven to Sally and Greg’s property and approached the asshole from behind.
He’d been on the apple farm land, but hadn’t expected anyone approaching from behind.
According to Gray, Boomer had bounded out of the vehicle as soon as they parked. The dog had raced silently through the woods, then leaped the fence back to the apple farm. Seth and Gray had followed to find Boomer waiting a couple of yards away from the shooter.
Traveling through snow-covered fields was never quiet, but the shooting and the shouts had covered their approach.
When Gray had given the signal for Boomer to take down the man, the dog had leaped onto his back and shoved him face-first into the snow. Seth had grabbed his gun and they’d zip-tied his hands behind his back before he’d realized what was happening.
When he tried to escape, Boomer had growled and scared the man nearly out of his boots.
Now, the ordinary-looking man stood beside Marcus and his deputy, not saying a word, not even his name. His eyes were wide and terrified, proving he wasn’t stupid. If he were looking for an escape route, he wouldn’t find it.
Marcus had taken his fingerprints and sent them to his office. Hopefully, they’d have a name soon. Finding a connection to Curt would be easier after that. Burke was convinced they’d find that connection. Rissa had been right that nothing else made sense.
Gray’s phone beeped, and he nudged Burke. “Rissa’s feeling steady, and she’s coming outside.”
Burke flinched. He didn’t want her anywhere near this asshole. Sure, they had his gun, and he was cuffed, but he wanted her safely inside.
Before he could do anything, the door opened, and Rissa emerged, eyes roving the space until she found him. He strode across the drive and put his hands on her shoulders. “How are you?”
She smiled. “I’m okay. The dizziness is gone. I have a headache, but that’s not enough to stop me. I want to know what happened, and I want some answers.”
He hugged her. “I know. You’ll tell me if you feel off?”
