Page 81 of Guarding Colton’s Witness

“The sun’s not even up. Wyatt said he’s sending Cal over, so why wake the man up?”

“Nope. Bill won’t mind. All Cal will do is nail it shut or something. Bill will make it good as new.” She gently touched his wrist. “How bad is it?”

“Won’t lie and say it doesn’t hurt, but it really isn’t broken. Just bruised again.” He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her against him. “It’s finally over.”

“It really hasn’t hit me yet. I can’t get past seeing you and Wyatt fight those two men. What if—”

He put his finger over her lips. “No what-ifs, okay? We’re both fine. Although, I’m a little jealous of your brother’s fighting skills. He was like a berserker.”

“Yeah, he was. I’m just glad he was here. If it had just been the two of us—”

He placed his finger over her lips again. “No reason to imagine what wasn’t. Why don’t you call your handyman while I make us some coffee?” He glanced around them. “We have some cleaning up to do.”

“I want to get that done before Sam comes back.”

The time had arrived to find him a family, and if the thought of turning the little boy whom she was doing her damnedest not to become attached to over to someone else made her chest feel tight, it didn’t change anything. She couldn’t allow her emotions to make a wrong choice.

It was time to find Sam a new home, one where he could feel safe and loved. It was the right thing to do, even if it felt like tearing her own heart out in the process.

Chapter 34

“Matti, Doc!” Sam yelled when he ran into the house. “I’m back!” He went to Matti first, and she kneeled to hug him.

Ryan laughed when the boy came to him and wrapped his thin arms around Ryan’s legs. Ryan picked him up. “Did you have fun at the zoo?”

“Yes. I saw elephants and monkeys and tigers and…” He looked over at Emily and Jon, who were standing close and smiling. “I forgot what else.”

“Don’t forget the snakes,” Jon said.

“The snakes were so cool, Doc. They stuck their tongues out at me.”

“Wow, that is cool. Missed you, buddy.”

“I missed you, too. And Matti. Next time you have to come to the zoo with me.”

“You bet.” But there wouldn’t be a next time. Matti was determined to turn him over to a foster family. He understood, he did. Didn’t mean he was happy, but it wasn’t his decision to make.

“Nana and Poppy took me to get a milkshake with a brownie on top, and I ate the whole thing.”

“He sure did,” Emily said. “Down to the last bite.”

“Poppy?” Matti said.

Sam nodded. “That’s what Poppy said I could call him. Nana and Poppy mean like grandparents. I never had them before, but I do now.” His smile reached both his ears.

A glance at Matti showed him that she wasn’t pleased with that revelation. She touched Ryan’s arm. “Why don’t you take Sam and his bag to his room and help him unpack.”

“Sure.” He dipped his chin at Emily and Jon. “Great to see you both again. Thanks for taking Sam for a few days.”

“I think we had as much fun as he did,” Emily said. “Why don’t you all plan to come over for dinner Saturday night?”

“Let me get back to you on that after I check my schedule.” He wasn’t sure he’d be around by then. Matti was already pulling away. After they’d finished putting her living room back to rights, she’d said she was exhausted and had spent most of yesterday in her bedroom. Since he wasn’t invited to stay in there with her, he’d lazed around on the couch, watching TV and napping.

Last night, he had slept in her bed, but she’d said she was still tired and had turned her back to him to sleep. This morning over coffee, he’d tried to talk to her about their relationship, wanted to tell her that he’d like to see where this thing between them could go. Wanted to tell her he was in love with her, but he knew that would be a mistake.

He’d settle for dating, spending time together to give him a chance to win that locked-up heart of hers that wanted nothing to do with a doctor, but she’d changed the conversation every time he tried. She was slipping further behind that wall she’d erected, and he didn’t know how to climb over.

He was at a loss. Didn’t know what to do. So, he’d take Sam to his temporary room and help the boy unpack…only to have to pack all his things up when it was time to take him to his foster family.