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SIX
Chase hauled hay into the horse stall and scattered it on the ground. Sweat beaded on his brow as his muscles worked, but the exercise didn’t erase the rough edges of his anger. Faith’s head wound had required ten stitches. She and Anna had nearly been kidnapped.
And all of it had happened on his watch.
Experience and maturity had changed him from the reckless teenage boy he’d once been. Chase took his job as a police officer seriously, and while he’d vowed to protect everyone in town, that Faith was the one in danger only added an extra layer to the case. He’d screwed up today. He wouldn’t let it happen again.
Chase brought Poppy in from the pasture and then filled her food and water buckets before heading out into the frigid night air. The chickens were hunkered down in their coop. Scamper loped next to him as they crossed the yard to the house. The lights in the kitchen were glowing. Through the bay window, Faith was visible. She was feeding Anna a bottle.
Chase’s steps faltered. His heart clenched tightly in his chest. Man, she was beautiful. Faith’s gorgeous hair flowed over her shoulders in a waterfall, and the look on her face as she gazed down at the baby in her arms…it was pure joy. For half a moment, Chase allowed himself to imagine that was their child she was holding. Her comment at the hospital rolled through his mind.
You’ll make an amazing dad.
It’d surprised him to learn Faith thought so. Despite their close bond, his dating life wasn’t something they’d ever discussed. Maybe because he’d always been so clear that marriage and a family weren’t what he wanted. His own father hadn’t bothered to stick around, and that fact had left a sour taste in Chase’s mouth when it came to commitment. Why bother when it wasn’t real anyway? Deep down, he didn’t expect anyone to stick it out. The idea was so ingrained, he’d purposefully avoided getting serious with any of his girlfriends. A decision he’d been absolutely convinced was the right one…until Faith was standing at the altar marrying Mitch.
A twig snapped, drawing Chase out of his thoughts. He spun. His hand flew to his weapon and Scamper growled in warning.
Aiden stepped out of the shadows, the police badge pinned to his uniform glimmering in the porch light. “It’s only me. Sorry if I startled you.”
Chase relaxed. Aiden and Holly had arrived half an hour ago, loaded down with enough groceries to last a month. The men had left Holly and Faith locked inside the house. While Chase was tending the animals, Aiden patrolled the property.
“Everything okay?” Chase asked, lowering his hand to scratch Scamper behind the ears. The old dog leaned into his touch.
“All clear. But I received a phone call from David.”
David Carpenter was another officer in the police department. Smart and capable, he’d been aiding Aiden with the investigation, and Chase trusted David implicitly. They’d grown up together.
Chase’s hand stilled against Scamper’s soft fur. “And?”
Aiden’s expression was haunted. “The tip Faith gave us about the stitching on Anna’s blanket paid off. We’ve identified Anna’s mother. Her name is Hillary Evans. She’s missing and has been since the night before Faith found Anna in her barn.”
Chase’s heart sank to his feet. That didn’t bode well for Hillary. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “The name sounds familiar to me. Is she a resident of Cutler?”
“She used to be.” Aiden hunched inside his jacket. “Let’s go in and discuss things. I think it’ll be good to involve Faith and Holly in the conversation.”
The men went inside. The warmth of the kitchen was inviting, but the smile Faith shot Chase was more so. He quickly washed his hands. The scent of steaks grilling on the stove made his stomach growl. Holly and Aiden kissed before sharing teasing remarks about Holly’s cooking.
As if his feet had a mind of their own, Chase crossed the room to Faith. Her complexion was pale and there was a faint scratch on her cheek. Evidence of the attack from this evening. He lightly touched her back, giving in to his need for physical contact with Faith, before dragging his gaze from her beautiful face to the baby in her arms. “How’s Anna?”
“She’s a champion eater.” Faith removed the empty bottle from between Anna’s lips. The little girl had drifted to sleep. “I hate to move her, but if she doesn’t burp, we’ll pay the price later.”
“I’ll do it.”
Faith needed a break. She’d been through a lot in the last twenty-four hours. Chase took the burp cloth from the table and tossed it over his shoulder. He gently lifted Anna and placed her against his chest before lightly patting her back. It felt surprisingly normal and natural to hold the baby. Her weight was slight, no more than a sack of flour, and when she snuggled against him with a sigh, affection spread through his chest.
Chase fought against the temptation to daydream. Anna didn’t belong to him. Or Faith. The baby was only in their lives temporarily, and then things would go back to the way they used to be.
After Anna had burped, he forced himself to place her in the portable crib next to the dining table. Faith covered her with a blanket. The next few minutes were spent organizing dinner. Holly and Faith had put together a great meal. Along with the steaks, there was a salad, rolls, and twice-baked potatoes. Once grace was said and everyone had begun eating, Aiden shared what he’d learned about Anna’s mother.
Faith gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. “Hillary? She worked for me but quit in February. She took a job in Austin and moved away.”
Chase’s hand tightened on his fork. He knew the name was familiar for a reason. Faith’s comment jogged his memory. Hillary was a petite brunette with a sunny disposition. He’d only met her once or twice when dropping off or picking up something from the daycare for Faith. “Have you had any contact with her recently?”
“None. She didn’t work for me for very long. Only about six months.” Faith’s attention shot to the baby sleeping in the crib and her brow creased. “Dr. Whitcomb believes Anna is about eight weeks old. If that’s correct, then Hillary would’ve been pregnant when she left town.”
“Maybe that’s the reason she moved.” Chase met Aiden’s gaze across the table. He could see his own suspicions reflected in his boss’s expression. Could Anna’s father be the person behind these attacks? It was a likely scenario. “Do you know if Hillary was dating anyone in the months or weeks before she moved?”
Faith shook her head. “We didn’t discuss her personal life much. Why? What are you thinking?”
