Page 63 of Fire and Rain
“No. I’m good. We can talk in the morning.”
“Thanks, Sean.” Her gaze was soft with gratitude. “I’m not sure whether I’d sleep at all tonight without you here. I’m not really sure I’ll sleep anyway, actually.”
“Try. I’m right here.”
“Sleep well.” Eden grabbed her shotgun and disappeared down the hallway.
With that, Sean stuck his firearm on a high shelf where Mavie couldn’t reach it and turned off the lights. He took off his T-shirt, stretched out on the sofa—and was instantly asleep.
* * *
Eden stowedher shotgun out of Maverick’s reach in the closet, slipped out of her bathrobe, and crawled between the covers, those messages running through her mind.
Why would this person thinkshehad the authority to call off an investigation? This went far beyond her and Justin. The DEA and FBI were involved. Ironically, she knew more now than she had this morning, but only because of those text messages. But she couldn’t call Agent Santee or the DEA and FBI and tell them to stop.
At least Sean was here.
She’d felt a surge of relief when she’d heard his voice. He was the last person she’d expected to see after what had happened Saturday night—and after such a grueling shift. But he’d heard she was in danger, and he’d come anyway, armed and ready.
That idea wrapped itself around her like a warm blanket, helping her to relax.
She closed her eyes and began to drift.
She thought she heard Mavie call out for her and opened her eyes to find it was already morning. She didn’t want to wake Sean, so she climbed out of bed and walked to Mavie’s bedroom only to find his crib empty. Her pulse picked up. “Maverick?”
No answer.
She ran out into the hallway, her heart hitting her breastbone when she saw the front door ajar. “Maverick!”
There were no pillows on the sofa, no sheet, no blanket. Where was Sean? Had he taken Maverick out to play? If so, why hadn’t he left a note?
She ran to the front door. “Maverick!”
She didn’t see him anywhere.
She slipped her feet into her rainboots and ran outside, looking on the side of the house and in the back, shouting his name, but there was no sign of Maverick.
Call off the police, or more members of your family will get hurt.
Terror left her mouth dry, made her pulse pound against her eardrums as she ran through Aviation Hill, calling for Maverick, thoughts chasing through her mind.
Had he been kidnapped? Had he gotten outside somehow and been taken by a bear? Was he lost in the forest?
God, no!
He was her baby, her little boy. He was the only part of Justin she had left.
Tears filled her eyes, ran down her cheeks, and…
Eden jolted upright, found herself in her own bed. It was still nighttime and dark.
It was just a dream. Just a dream.
But there were real tears on her cheeks.
She got out of bed and walked quietly to check on Maverick. He lay in his crib, safe and sound, his blankie tucked beneath his chin.
A shadow fell across the floor. “Eden? Are you okay? I heard you crying.”
