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“This is Charlie and Mark. They work with me. We were on our way to the shooting range when Peter called. Frank went directly to Mom’s house. That’s why we’re here. We’re going to help you get your things together and check you out of here. You’ll be staying with Mom and Eric where we can keep an eye on our family,” John stated then headed toward the bedroom.
“What are you talking about, John? What do you mean keep an eye on me? What’s really going on?” she insisted, not moving to help her brother but instead holding her ground.
Grace knew there was more to this and she wouldn’t leave the hotel room until John gave an explanation.
Charlie and Mark laughed.
“If you think one of us won’t throw you over our shoulder and carry you out of here kicking and screaming, you’re kidding yourself. Even my two buddies here would be up for the job,” John said then continued toward the bedroom to pack Grace’s clothes.
Grace was shocked. Her brother had changed over the years. He was more dominant and demanding. He hadn’t even given her an explanation for this decision to leave under their protection. It aggravated her and obviously challenged her individuality and independent nature.
“You wouldn’t dare do that.” Grace looked toward Charlie and Mark.
“Yes, ma’am, we would. I think I’d actually enjoy it,” Charlie stated with a smile and a wink.
Grace felt herself blush.
Her brother’s friends were very good-looking men, and she knew the rigorous training the SWAT team officers had to go through on a daily basis. They were in excellent physical condition.
“Johnny, come on and tell me what’s going on,” Grace called out, calling him Johnny as she used to do when they were little.
Her brother stopped a moment to look at his little sister. “I think it would be better if Peter explains it to you, sis. You saw how they’re reacting on television already. If the media gets wind of this new information and finds out you’re back in town, it could lead to some unwanted attention and dig up some unhappy memories for the family.” John didn’t finish his thought. She got the message, and they continued to pack Grace’s things.
Chapter 2
Grace was worried as a thousand possibilities scattered through her mind.
She looked out the truck window as John drove the car in the direction of their mother’s house. The long dirt driveway and her mom’s house was nearly a half mile deep into the woods. They had plenty of privacy and owned about twenty acres of land.
The house was now painted a light cream color with burgundy shutters and a large dark wood wraparound porch. Very different from the old white-and-black house she grew up in. She stared toward the woods and instead of seeing the beauty of the forest, she saw the darkness of what possibly lurked within.
There were a few other cars and trucks parked outside the front and Grace knew one of them was an unmarked police car.
Near the side detached garage sat a BMW and Frank and Peter were standing next to one another. She could see Frank’s revolver sitting in its brown leather gun holster on his waist.
They started walking toward the car as Grace got out. “Okay, we’re all here, now tell me what’s going on.”
Her brothers knew she was still as independent and stubborn as always. Before they could respond, their attention was drawn toward the front porch.
The screen door opened and a tall, large figure emerged.
Grace’s heart jumped and the temperature in her body rose to an instant uncomfortable temperature as she felt her face become flushed. She prayed she didn’t look as red as she felt. The man before her was a god, handsome like some young heartthrob movie star yet rugged like the cowboys one might see in some old Western. He was huge, too. At least six and a half feet tall and filled with muscles. Who in the world was that guy?
He was dressed nicely in his white button-down dress shirt and black jeans. She noticed he wore dark cowboy boots and laughed to herself at her ability to instantly and correctly label the man before her. She quickly gathered her body’s emotions and attraction to the man and hoped that no one noticed it.
The stranger stepped out onto the porch along with Grace’s mother who appeared dwarfish next to the big guy.
Then another man emerged from the house as well. She wasn’t sure who he was, but he was definitely law enforcement. The gun and badge gave it away. Grace didn’t like the fact that so many law enforcement officers stood around her mother’s home. It brought back unhappy memories and made her feel fearful again. She swallowed hard as she tried to calm her breathing.
The good-looking guy spoke first.
“Miss Thompson, I’m Investigator Sandstone and this is Detective Jim Warner.”
He spoke with such a deep, strong voice Grace’s belly filled with butterflies. She had a hard time trying to seem unaffected by his looks. The man was very attractive.
She shook both men’s hands and was more affected by the investigator’s touch. She shyly looked away and straightened back her shoulders. Boy, he sure has big hands.
* * * *
