Page 36 of Guarding Colton’s Witness

What park?

She hadn’t responded by the time he was seated in his car, so he googled parks near her. There were two, but one was a mile closer to her house, so he went there first. When he arrived, it was to see two police cars and the car he’d seen her brother driving parked along the street, the kind of car a detective would drive.

He stopped behind one of the police cars. A group of people were standing near the sidewalk, and he could see Matti, Sam, and Wyatt, along with two police officers and some teens.

“Doc!” Sam cried out when he saw Ryan approaching the group. He pulled his hand away from Matti’s and ran to Ryan. “He almost got me. I was so scared.”

Ryan picked the boy up. “Who almost got you?”

“The mean man. He was trying to take me. Napped me, the policeman said.”

“Kidnapped?”

“Yes, that’s the word.” He pointed to the teens who were clustered together. “Those boys over there saved me. They made the man fall down so he would let go of me. Matti said they’re heroes.”

“They certainly are.” A sick feeling churned in his stomach that the boy he was growing to care about was almost taken by men who would… What? Kill him? He tightened his arms around Sam.

“The man, he was in the motel room when they took my Mommy and Daddy away. Matti’s brother asked me if I saw the tattoo on his arm when he got me, and I told him I did. It was the same one I drawed. Remember?”

“I do.”

Matti broke away and came to them. “Hey. We had a bit of excitement.”

“So I hear.” She was trying to make light of what had happened for Sam’s benefit, but Ryan could see the fear in her eyes. Still holding Sam with one arm, he wrapped his other one around her shoulders. “How much longer do you have to stay here?” He’d rather have them back at her house where they would be safe behind locked doors.

“I think we can leave now.” She turned. “Wyatt?”

He walked to them. “Yeah?” He nodded at Ryan.

“Can we leave now?”

“Yes, but why don’t you take Sam to Dad’s and stay there tonight.”

“No, I want to be home, my home.”

“I’d rather you not be alone for now. We don’t know if they’ll try…” He glanced at Sam, who was paying attention to the conversation. “It’s just better if you’re not by yourself right now.”

“They won’t be,” Ryan said. “I’m staying with them.”

“Oh, you are, are you?” Matti said, narrowing her eyes at him.

“Yes.” He didn’t care if she didn’t like it. There was no way he was leaving her and Sam alone tonight.

“Actually, I’m good with that, but try asking. I have enough bossy men in my life. I don’t need another one.” She pointedly eyed Wyatt.

“Duly noted,” Ryan said, amused when Wyatt gave her a noogie.

“Stop it, you big lug.” She slapped Wyatt’s hand away.

Her brother laughed and did it again. “Make me, brat.”

The love between the siblings was obvious. Ryan had always wished he had a brother or sister, but he’d been a surprise baby to parents who were in their forties. Although they hadn’t wanted children—both professors at a university and dedicated to their careers—they’d been great parents. But one child was more than enough for them.

Wyatt lifted his hand to Sam. “High-five me, buddy.”

“I don’t know what that means,” Sam said.

“He wants you to do this.” Ryan lifted his hand and slapped his palm against Wyatt’s.