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“Did he try a visit at night?” she asked.
“He did, but the guard stationed at the door made it very plain that outsiders weren’t welcome.”
She made an exasperated sound. “Then how are we ever going to get in there?”
When Braden took her hand, lacing their fingers together, Samantha shot him a fleeting, questioning glance.
“It’s frustrating, I know,” he said, “but Stevens’s efforts tell us something.”
She nodded. “They’re protecting something valuable.”
“Yes, or that a new gang is using the Hanging Judge as a hideout, and they’re doing their best to keep their identities unknown. Fortunately, Stevens managed to assess the level of security on the perimeter. He spotted one man a block out who was watching the back of the place, while the guard at the door seemed to be the only one out front.”
Samantha tapped her chin. “Hmm. That does confirm that the men who accosted us were actually out looking for us and not just guarding the perimeter.”
“True,” Braden said. “But security inside the place is bound to be tight. It won’t be as easy as taking out the two guards, and then waltzing in and finding the children.”
“I am aware of that, sir,” she rather tartly replied. “Please remember that I’ve been doing this longer than you have.”
Braden adopted a contrite look. “Yes, my lady. Sorry to offend.”
She scoffed. “You’re not fooling anyone, you know. Still, it’s so frustrating, not being able to get in there when we so desperately need to.”
He squeezed her hand. “Let’s see how things develop with Stevens, since Logan plans to have him go back in a day or so. We just have to be patient.”
“Braden, I’m responsible for those children. It’s very hard to be patient when they are at risk,” she exclaimed.
“Agreed,” he quietly replied. “But they’re already aware that we’re looking for them, so we need to be very careful. Once we have something more to go on, we can plan our next steps.”
She sighed. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful. And itisincredibly comforting to know that your brother’s men are guarding the orphanage.”
Braden and Logan had decided last week to place men outside the foundation’s buildings to keep a discrete watch. They’d debated placing guards inside the orphanage, too, but had decided it would risk tipping their hand. If anyone tried to abduct a child, they’d move in and catch the bastard. That might turn out to be their best chance to recover the missing bairns.
“Rest assured, the children at the orphanage are safe,” he said.
“I know. It’s just that it’s driving me mad that I can’t be out there looking, myself.”
“I honestly don’t think that would help, love.”
As always, when he used an endearment, a pink blush colored her cheeks. It took all of Braden’s discipline not to kiss her until she was rosy from head to toe.
Soon.
She briefly gripped his fingers and then withdrew her hand. Braden reluctantly let her go.
“I shall simply have to possess myself of some patience,” she said. “And truly, Braden, I don’t know what I would have done without your support. Your entire family has been splendid.”
“I told you, lass, Clan Kendrick takes care of its own.”
And Samantha was one of theirs, whether she fully realized it yet or not. Someday soon, he hoped, she would be a Kendrick in both name and heart. “But for now,” he added, “we stay the course. Something will break, sooner or later.”
“From your mouth to God’s ear. And I suppose I cannot afford to take risks while Beath is hanging over my head like a blasted sword of Damocles. One misstep and I’m cooked.”
“And speaking of that situation—”
“Oh, I have something to tell you about Girvin,” she hastily interrupted. “I finally spoke to her yesterday.”
Braden mentally sighed. Trying to get Samantha to finally discuss his proposal was proving to be a challenge.
