Page 37 of Guarding Colton’s Witness

Sam glanced between the two of them. “Why?”

“It’s a way of telling you that you did good today,” Wyatt said as he held up his hand again in front of Sam.

Sam grinned as he high-fived Wyatt. “That was fun.”

“Well, now that you boys have had your fun, it’s time to go.” She scanned the area around them, then settled her gaze on her brother. “They’re probably a long way away now, right?”

“Most likely, but I’m going to have Jackson follow you guys home. We’ll do drive-bys tonight, keep an eye on things.”

“Good. My car’s over there.” She pointed to where her vehicle was parked.

Ryan set Sam down. “Go with Matti. I’ll follow right behind you.”

When the two of them were out of earshot, he said to Wyatt, “You really think they’re safe staying at home?”

“I’d rather she stay at Dad’s, but she’s stubborn.” He pulled a card from his pocket and handed it to Ryan. “My cell’s on here. Call me if you see anything suspicious. In fact, when you get a chance, text me so I have your number. If I hear anything more, I’ll let you know.”

Ryan pocketed the card. “I’ll definitely do that.”

* * *

Getting Sam to bed was an operation worthy of a Special Forces team. Unfortunately, it was just him and Matti, no Special Forces training between the two of them. After they’d arrived at Matti’s, Sam had a meltdown.

“The mean men are going to come get me,” he said with tears running down his cheeks.

Matti put her hands on his shoulders and leaned down to look him in the eyes. “They can’t get in. The doors are locked.”

“What if they come in the window?”

“Those are all locked, too.” Ryan took Sam’s hand. “But just to be sure, let’s go check.” He took Sam to each window and tried to open them to prove they were secure.

“What if they break the window?”

“They won’t because it would make too much noise if they did that.” He hoped that was true. He wished Matti had an alarm system, but she probably thought she hadn’t needed one before now.

“Can I sleep with you, Matti?”

“You can tonight, but we aren’t going to make that a regular thing, okay?”

“Will you stay with us, Doc? You’re bigger than us, and you can fight them if they try to take me.”

“I’ll be right here on the couch all night.”

Sam shook his head. “No, in bed with us.”

He exchanged an amused look with Matti. “I don’t think we’ll all fit.”

“We can squeeze together. I can be in the middle and hide under the cover. The mean men won’t see me.”

“I’m going to be right here on the couch, Sam. No mean men are going to come in, but just in case I’m wrong, I’ll stop them because I’ll be here where I can see them.”

Sam’s expression turned mutinous. “No! We have to stay together.”

“Let’s not worry about that right now,” Matti said. “You need a bath, then we’ll have milk and cookies before you go to bed.”

“The black-and-white ones?”

“Oreos, yes.”