Page 8 of Operation Protector
“Has it been before?” the woman asked, her tone sharp. The man’s wife, judging by the ring on her finger, sounded oddly concerned for someone who didn’t know him, or Grace, although they apparently at least knew of Liz’s family.
“Not that I’ve seen any sign of, and believe me, I’ve checked.”
“What happened then?” Quinn asked.
“Grace got up and came running to the window when I broke it, but then Liz stormed in. I ducked just in time, when I heard her stomping down the hall.”
He shrugged, wincing as it tugged on the cut on his forearm. He also felt a splat on his nose, as rain began.
“So she didn’t see you?”
“No.” He closed his eyes, and gave a slow, aching shake of his head. “Grace…she screamed at her that she broke it, trying to get away from her.”
“Quick thinking,” the man said.
His eyes snapped open and he looked up at the man again. “My Grace is a very, very smart kid.”
“Her mother could have called the police. You could have been caught. You’re hurt and bleeding. Yet you’re still here. Why?”
“I couldn’t leave Grace here alone with her when she was that angry.” He nodded toward the big house, which was visible through the trees. “Here at least I can still hear what’s going on, and see if she leaves with her.” He lowered his gaze again. “She’s always threatening to vanish with her, to keep her away from me.”
“Is there a custody agreement?” the woman asked.
He laughed bitterly. “Sure. But when your name’s Hollen you don’t have to worry about those little details.”
“May I suggest,” Ali said, “that we take this inside before the rain really gets going again? I have some first aid supplies, we can take a look at your arm, too.”
“Good idea,” the other woman said.
“Very,” said the man, as the skies opened up again.
Colby didn’t move. Looked toward the big house. “It’s okay,” Ali said gently. “You’ll still be able to see the house from inside.”
“And there will be four of us to watch,” the other man said briskly.
Colby got to his feet slowly, warily. He looked from Ali to the other man, then back to her. For some reason she was the one he trusted, if only because Grace trusted her, and as he’d said, his girl was a very, very smart kid.
He nodded toward the couple. “They’re friends of yours?”
Ali smiled, and it was breath-stealing. “I think they will be, although we just met. They brought my puppy home, after he—” she nodded at the big dog “—brought him to them.”
Colby winced. “I’m really sorry about that, I had to quiet him or Liz would have seen me. Then while I was trying to stop the bleeding, I lost track of him.”
“He’s home safe now, thanks to Cutter, here.” She seemed to be watching him rather carefully when she added, “And these are Cutter’s people, Quinn and Hayley Foxworth.”
He blinked. “Foxworth?”
“Nice to meet you,” the man said blandly. “Now can we get inside before we’re all drenched?”
Colby followed the trio toward the cottage. The dog, however, stuck to his side as if he were his owner, not the couple ahead of them. Maybe he was a herding dog or something, making sure the straggler stayed in line.
Foxworth?
It couldn’t be, could it? But it would certainly explain why Ali had been watching him so intently when she introduced them. Because Foxworth was a name well known in these parts. He knew it, not just because of the headlines when they’d toppled their twisted governor, but because of a job he’d done last year. Was this just coincidence, them showing up here? He’d known they were based in the area, but had no idea they were this close. He—
His racing, tumbling thoughts broke off as the dog at his side nudged his hand. He automatically reached to pat the dark head, and felt it again, that soothing, somehow reassuring rush of sensation he couldn’t even begin to explain.
He gave his head a sharp shake, trying to clear it. He was all tangled up with the emotions he’d felt when he’d heard Grace wailing, when he’d seen her tearstained face. Plus, he hadn’tslept last night, nor had he eaten, so he knew he couldn’t think straight just now.
