Page 38 of Guarding Colton’s Witness

While Matti got him into the bathtub, Ryan texted Wyatt so the detective would have his number and to let him know they were safe behind locked doors. That done, he walked out to the front porch and, staying near the door, surveyed the street. He didn’t see anything suspicious, but that didn’t mean they weren’t around, watching the house.

He went back inside, locking the door behind him. He’d never liked guns, had never wanted one, didn’t know how to shoot, but for the first time in his life, he wished he did have a weapon and knew what to do with it.

“What?” he said at seeing Matti standing in the living room, frowning at the package of Oreos she held in her hand.

“Did you have some? If you did, that’s okay. It’s just that this was a full package yesterday.”

“No. Didn’t even know you had any.”

“Humph,” she muttered as she returned to the kitchen.

“Need help?” Because her back was to him, he grinned. A grumpy Matti was cute.

“Can you see if you can get Sam out of the tub? He’ll play in the water all night if we let him.”

“I’m on it.” She was right, Sam didn’t want to get out. Between the last time he’d seen Sam in the tub and now, water toys had been added. There was a boat, a submarine, and floating alphabet letters.

“Watch, Doc. I can spell words.”

After five minutes of complimenting Sam on the words he could spell, Ryan finally got him out of the bath and dried off.

“I have pajamas now,” Sam proudly said.

“You never had pajamas before?”

“No, I had to sleep in my underwear. I like sleeping in pajamas.” He grinned. “I’m going to sleep in them forever now. Do you have pajamas?”

“I sure do. Time for milk and cookies.”

“Oh, boy.” He took off down the hall. Ryan shook his head as he let the water out of the tub. What a difference in Sam from the time Matti first brought him home to now. It was good to see him gaining confidence and being happy.

He hoped the police caught the men who’d killed Sam’s parents soon. Although, that would mean Matti would turn him over to a foster family. Ryan wished there was a way he could adopt the boy, but there just wasn’t.

Chapter 17

When Matti was sure Sam was asleep, she eased out of bed. Ryan was in the living room watching a basketball game with the volume down low. He’d finally convinced Sam that the couch was the best place to sleep so that he could guard the front door. The pillow and blanket she’d brought him were still stacked on the corner of the couch.

Because he hadn’t intended to spend the night, he hadn’t brought anything to sleep in. Occasionally, one of her brothers would spend the night, and she had sleep pants and T-shirts one or the other had left. He looked really good in them… Okay, really sexy.

“Hey,” she said as she sat, not touching him but close enough she could feel his heat. She had on her favorite soft pajama pants and a T-shirt. She probably should have put on a bra, but whatever.

“Our boy asleep?”

She liked how he said our boy. “Finally. He asked a dozen times if I was sure the mean men wouldn’t come. Then, if they did, would you be able to make them leave?”

“Let’s hope Wyatt finds these men soon so Sam can feel safe.”

“Cal’s working on the case, too, and who knows, Dylan might be. He’s FBI, and we’re never sure what he’s involved in.”

“So you have a firefighter, a sheriff, a police detective, and an FBI brother?”

“Yep. And let me tell you, it’s been a lifelong dream to be constantly outnumbered by armed men with trust issues.”

He laughed. “I don’t think I envy your big family after all.”

“And don’t forget I also have a mayor foster brother.”

“Right. And then you have a sister. I think your dad once told me she’s an attorney?”