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When Samantha stopped dead in her tracks, Braden almost ran into her but quickly sidestepped. The lower half of his face was visible in the flickering lamplight from the houses that ringed the close. His mouth was set in a grim, flat line.
“Dr. Kendrick, while I am aware of the risks, I will not sit idly by while children are in danger. This is the best lead I’ve had in months, and I will follow it.”
He crossed his arms over his chest. “I don’t disagree with the need for some scouting. I disagree withyoudoing it.”
“Who else should do it?”
“I can do it. You should return home.”
“No. You need someone to watch your back.”
“Then I can fetch one of my brothers. They are—”
She chopped down a hand. “No. Just us.”
Braden pulled off his hat, rubbing a quick hand through his hair before he slapped the hat back on. “I understand your concern about trusting strangers. But I assure you that my brothersaretrustworthy.”
She couldn’t help feeling slightly guilty, as if she’d insulted both him and his family. “I realize that my lack of trust might seem excessive. Just know that I have my reasons.”
“I’m sure they’re good ones, and yet you can’t do this alone, lass.Wecan’t do this alone.”
The tender way he saidlassmuddled her insides, but then she firmed her resolve. “I don’t agree. Donny and I have been doing this on our own for months.”
“And just where is Donny right now? How is that working out?”
Well, no tenderness there.
When a nearby kirk chimed out the hour, impatience nipped at her heels. Every moment they wasted was a moment children remained in danger.
“Dr. Kendrick, you are free to return home. I will not hold it against you.”
When she turned and marched off, he quickly matched her stride. She glanced over, pretending surprise. “Oh, decided to come along, did you?”
“Don’t think for one moment that I’m happy about this, Samantha. And wewillbe discussing it later.”
She ignored the little kick of her heart at his reassuringly possessive attitude. “Duly noted, sir.”
“So, what actions do you propose if we happen to see something?” he asked a few moments later. “That question has yet to be sorted.”
“I’m wondering if it would be best to go to Arthur first. As an influential barrister, he might be best placed to help us.”
“Ah, yes. The inestimable Mr. Baines,” he sardonically replied.
She frowned. “Is there some reason you—”
Braden grabbed her arm and pulled her back.
“Now what?” she groaned.
“That,” he replied.
Two men were advancing toward them out of the darkness at the other end of the close. Since both carried large clubs, they clearly had less than friendly intentions.
Braden swiftly extracted his pistol.
“That’s far enough,” he said, raising his voice. “If robbery is your intention, be on your way. You’ll get nothing from us.”
Samantha quickly transferred her walking stick to her left hand, trying to calm her suddenly racing heart. This was an echo of the incident that happened last week, when Donny was injured. Was it a simple robbery or something else?
