“Thank you, Aunt Marilyn,” Josie said, touched. “But don’t sing my praises too much. I’m so worried right now I don’t think I’ll be worth much come morning. My focus is on the day care and the children.”
“Why don’t you stay with us tonight?” her aunt asked. “We have plenty of room.”
Josie shook her head. “No. I’ll be okay. My house isn’t that big, and I’ve got locks on all the windows and doors, thanks to my wonderful landlord.” She smiled at her uncle. “Now, I need to get home and I’m sure Dalton feels the same way.”
“I don’t mind,” he said, standing. “But Maisy does have school tomorrow, and it’s party day. She’ll be wired when she gets home.”
“Oh, that’s right,” Marilyn said. “School’s out for the Christmas break. We’ll be busy with extra kids all next week.”
“I’ll go get Maisy for you,” Jack said. Then he turned and gave Dalton a serious appraisal. “If you ever need to bring Maisy to us, she’s welcome here. We have a room that’s all girl—Marilyn’s getaway room. It’s like a spa and a boutique all rolled up in one—as my wife likes to say. Maisy viewed it earlier tonight, so I know she’d be comfortable there.”
“Thank you,” Dalton said, appreciation in his eyes. “It’s good to know she’s got people like you to look after her.” Then he looked at Josie. “And I’m glad you have these two next door.”
“All the more reason to be extra-careful,” Josie replied after her uncle went down the long hallway to the other wing of the house. “We have to take care of Maisy and the other children, first and foremost. I was looking forward to our party for the kids next week and then the couple of days we’ll have off during Christmas.”
“You can still look forward to this special time of year,” Marilyn said as they walked to the door. “We’re gonna have faith and get through this. God led you here so He’s not gonna abandon you now.”
Josie wanted to believe that with all her heart. But after Dalton and Maisy escorted her home, she couldn’t shake the sense of dread.
Dalton checked the house again, Luna already learning the routine. “I’ll do a sweep of the yard, front and back, before I leave,” he told her. “Make sure you’re locked in tight.” Then he handed her a card. “Call me if you see or hear anything that scares you.”
He scared her. The way he cared about her safety was a whole new experience for Josie. No man had ever tried so hard to show her that he wanted to protect her, and this man barely knew her. His kindness was so overwhelming that she wanted to push him away and tell him that she didn’t deserve his protection.
But her aunt would shun that notion. She’d always been Josie’s champion, even when her own mother hadn’t encouraged her. No wonder Josie had married a bully of a man who treated her like a doormat. She’d cowered from her bitter mother for years. But after counseling at church and being with people who encouraged her, she wasn’t a doormat anymore. She’d learned that she could fight for herself and still come out on the other side. Unlike her mother, who’d never found the strength to get on with her life after Josie’s father had left.
She’d fight now. But she’d fight smart. “I promise I’ll keep my phone on my pillow,” she told Dalton. “I’ll leave lights on and I won’t go outside. If I do, I’ll call my uncle. And...I did take some self-defense crash courses after Douglas died.”
“All of that is good,” Dalton said. “Still, be careful.”
“I will,” she said.
He checked the yard and came back for Maisy. “Let’s get you home, Ladybug.”
Josie smiled at the endearment. But Maisy looked up at her with big, solemn eyes. “You could come and stay with us, Miss Josie.”
Josie heard the catch in the girl’s suggestion. Maisy was putting on that brave front. Even though they’d tried so hard to shield her from what was really going on, the kid had a keen intuition.
But Maisy also had enough sense to know this was about more than beefing up security.
She hated putting this child through any more trauma. Her eyes met Dalton’s, sympathy piercing her heart. “That’s so sweet of you, Maisy. But I have everything I need right here. You don’t have to worry. Your dad has coached me on what I need to do. He’s being very smart, practicing on me and letting Luna get in some practice, too.”
Maisy glanced at her daddy. “Sometimes, even things we’ve practiced can still get messed up.”
Dalton’s frown ripped at Josie’s consciousness. “Maisy, what do you mean by that, honey?”
Maisy’s stoic expression turned to cautious. “Nothing. But...people get hurt all the time. Sometimes, you can’t protect them.”
Dalton’s tanned skin turned pale. “You’re right. But we can’t stop trying. And I’m going to do my best to protect you and Miss Josie and everyone else around here.”
“I don’t want to leave here,” Maisy said. “I like living here. I don’t like Flagstaff.”
Realization clutched at Josie and she saw the resolve in Dalton’s eyes, too. “But we talked about this,” he said, his tone soft. “We’ll find a nice new neighborhood and start fresh with Luna. She’ll watch out for us.”
Luna’s ears pricked up, and she gave Maisy a loving stare, as if she knew exactly what the little girl was feeling. Which she probably did.
“I don’t like it there,” Maisy said. Then she rushed to Josie and hugged her close. “I like it here better.”
Dalton’s jaw clenched. Josie could see the pain in his stormy gray eyes. “We’ll talk about this later, okay? We have to get home right now.”
Josie hugged Maisy close and told her she’d see her tomorrow. “Remember, I need you to help me pass out cookies and Christmas ornaments.”
Maisy smiled at that. “Okay.”
But Dalton wasn’t smiling. He nodded and turned with a stiff back and hurried his daughter to the car.
Josie had never felt so alone.
And she’d never seen such hurt in a man’s eyes. Maisy’s heartfelt pleas had broken him in two.
Dalton West carried a lot of burdens on his broad shoulders. And now, he’d added her to that load.
She hoped this would end soon. They could all use a break. But her instincts told her this was just the beginning.
SEVEN
Dalton checked in with Josie the next afternoon when he picked up Maisy. He hoped she’d had a safe, restful night. He’d wanted to call her and offer to give her a ride to work, but he’d decided that could come across as unprofessional. Besides, she had already planned to ride to work with her aunt. So he waited all day and hoped he’d see her.
He found Josie in the nursery, holding a toddler against her shoulder while she rocked in a big comfortable chair. The sight of her sitting there with a child in her arms caused him to imagine things he had no business thinking about. Sure, he’d known her for months now, but he hadn’t really known her until this week when they’d been forced together by some kind of sick person’s handiwork.
He’d been smitten with her from the start, but Dalton had ignored those little tremors of attraction. Now, he couldn’t deny that he liked Josie Callahan a lot. But...where could that admission take him? She was building a life here, and he wanted to go back to Flagstaff where Maisy could be surrounded by family. His mother kept calling and asking if they were coming home for Christmas.
Watching Josie right now, he didn’t want to go anywhere. When she glanced up and saw him leaning against the doorjamb, her smile went wide and his heart went flip-flop.
“Hi,” he said, crossing his arms against his chest. “He’s a cutie.”
She nodded and carefully stood, her hands holding the chunky little boy across his back. “He played himself out. His mom’s on her way.”
After putting the sleeping toddler in one of the cribs lined up along th
e room, she turned to Dalton and motioned to the wide hallway.
“How are you?” he asked, not knowing what else to say.
“Okay. Nothing happened last night. I didn’t sleep very well, and I kept getting up to check the windows. I haven’t seen any notes today, either. Do you think they could have given up?”
Dalton doubted that. “No, I think they’re retreating because they’ve seen us together.”
Her crestfallen face said it all. “I’d hoped...”
“I know,” he said quietly, since her staff seemed intent on listening. “But you still need to be careful and stay aware. For now, you made it through today.”
“We did,” she said, her smile unsure. “We had a great day with all the kids, and tonight we’re all meeting at my aunt’s house for a staff party. You’re welcome to stop by.”
Surprised and tempted, he said, “But I’m not on staff.”
“You almost are,” she said. “You seem to have assigned yourself as my personal bodyguard.”
“Tired of me already?”
She blushed a becoming pink. “I didn’t say that. But you do have a life, and I’m sure you don’t need me in it.”
“You might be wrong about that,” he said, surprising both of them.
She stood there, her green eyes shimmering while she stared at him. Dalton felt a sizzle that reminded him of heat lightning moving over the desert. His mind filled with something sweet and right and welcome.
And then a preschooler running down the hallway screamed, and the moment was gone. Josie looked away and grabbed the escaping, giggling bundle of energy and lifted him up with a smile and a “Whoa!”
Whoa was right. Dalton had to gather his thoughts, so he turned to go find Maisy. Best if he got out of here right now. As long as Josie was safe, he could relax.
But...he’d never forget that moment that had just happened.
Lightning had hit him, and now a monsoon of emotion was pouring through what had been the dry gully of his soul. And he had to wonder—Is this what it feels like when God touches your heart with hope?
* * *
Josie headed to her aunt’s car. Her uncle had picked up Marilyn earlier, since they had some shopping to do. A lot of parents would need to work right up to Christmas, so they’d have a big group of children early next week, and then she’d have four days to celebrate with her family.
Thankful that her aunt and uncle had taken her in and helped her so much, she looked forward to a big Christmas dinner. Praying that she’d have that without any threatening letters or any more gunshots, she let out a breath. When her cell rang, she absently picked it up.
“Hello?”
Nothing.
“Hello?” Josie said again, her eyes on the traffic light, which glowed red.
Nothing. But she heard breathing.
“Who is this?” she asked, her heart rate speeding up. When the light turned green, she eased through the intersection.
The caller ended the call and her phone beeped.
By the time she pulled into her driveway, Josie had talked herself into believing the call had been a wrong number. Calming her jitters, she got ready for the party next door, and then she gathered the casserole she’d made and hurried to greet her coworkers.
But an hour later, after two more voiceless calls, she knew her tormentor had moved one step closer to her. Somehow, this person had found her cell number.
* * *
Dalton checked in with the patrol officer the chief had authorized to cruise the block surrounding Josie’s house. So far, nothing was out of the ordinary. He believed the patrolman, but Dalton couldn’t help but worry about Josie.
She should be at her aunt’s staff party right now. The party she’d invited him to attend. He wasn’t going, of course.
Dalton sat in the tiny apartment he’d rented three months ago, wondering if he’d made the right decision switching from detective to the K-9 unit. His chief back in Flagstaff had encouraged him to try something new after his wife had been killed.
Might help you to heal, Dalton. K-9s are not only good partners and officers, but they provide companionship. Both you and Maisy could benefit from that.”
The chief had been right. Maisy had taken to Luna the first time he’d been allowed to bring the dog home. Now he couldn’t imagine not having Luna around. She was smart, quick and she protected Maisy without question. He trusted the pound puppy that had been trained from a young age with his life.
But had he done the right thing, bringing Maisy here?
He watched his daughter now. They’d had a quick supper of soup and sandwiches, and now she sat staring up at the meager Christmas tree.
His heart hurting for her, he looked up from the paper he’d been trying to read and asked, “Hey, Ladybug, what do you think? Did we do okay on the tree?”
“It’s really pretty, Daddy,” she replied, Luna by her side. “But it’s sure tiny.” Then she glanced back. “Remember that big one you brought home, and we had to cut it over and over so it would fit by the fireplace. Mom and I laughed at you about that.”
Dalton swallowed the emotions welling up inside him. “I do remember. What? About three years ago? But we got that tree down to size, didn’t we?”
She nodded, her hand touching Luna’s sleek fur. “That was the best time.”
Dalton got up and went to sit on the floor beside her, his gaze on the few presents he’d managed to get wrapped. “Honey, I wish I could give you a big tree this year. But once we’re back home, I’ll buy you the prettiest tree we can find.”
Maisy turned to stare up at him. “It’s okay. I don’t mind a little tree if we can stay here.”
Dalton had been afraid that topic would resurface. “Honey, we’ve talked about this. I need to get back to Flagstaff so Luna and I can do our jobs.”
“But why can’t you do that here?”
Dalton tugged at one of her trailing curls. “Well, the Desert Valley Police Department isn’t as big as the one in Flagstaff. We train here, and then we’re sent out all over the state.”
“Could you work close to here?” she asked. “That way we could stay?”
Dalton hadn’t considered that. “I don’t know. That depends on a lot of things. Why do you want to stay here so much?”
He thought he knew the answer, but he prayed she’d open up to him, anyway.
She pushed at her hair and swiped a hand across her nose. “I like it here. I like going to the day care ’cause Miss Josie and Miss Marilyn let me help out.”
“And you’re good at helping,” Dalton replied, watching her for any changes in her expression or mood. “But you don’t have to take care of everyone.”
Bobbing her head, she said, “I don’t mind. I need to make sure they’re all safe.”
“Is this about Patrick?” Dalton asked. “Because he’s safe now and he’s improving every day.”
“But...we almost lost him.”
Dalton motioned to her, and she scooted into his arms. “I know it’s scary sometimes, what I do. And...I can’t promise I’ll be able to save everyone who needs my help. But you know I’ll give it my best shot, right?”
She nodded again. Then she looked up at him with big, misty eyes. “We couldn’t save Mommy.”
Dalton took in a breath, his lungs burning with a scorching heat. “I know,” he said, kissing the top of her head. “I’m so sorry.”
Maisy stared up at him, and then she pulled away. “No, you don’t understand. I didn’t save her, either.” Then she got up and ran to her bedroom and slammed the door.
Dalton was headed after her when his cell buzzed.
Josie.
He stared at his daughter’s shut door.
Then he answered the call.
“Da
lton West.”
“I hope I’m not calling at a bad time,” Josie said, her tone hesitant.
“Uh...I do need to check on Maisy, but I can talk for a minute.”
“Someone is calling my cell and then dropping the calls.”
“You mean, hanging up?”
“Yes. They don’t speak. They just...breathe.”
He kept an eye on Maisy’s bedroom door. “Do you want me to come over?”
“No. But you can add that to the police report. It has to be the same person who left me those notes and the rose.”
“And shot out your windshield.” He walked toward Maisy’s door. “Where are you now?”
“I’m at my aunt’s house. The party is winding down, and I’m about to go home.”
“Ask your uncle to go with you.”
“I will. Just wanted to let you know.” Then she said, “Dalton, are you okay?”
Could she read him that well already?
“Not really,” he said. “I need to go check on Maisy. She’s having a bad night.”
“Go,” Josie said. “I’m fine. We’ll talk later.”
“Can I call you once I get Maisy settled?”
“Yes,” she said. “I’d appreciate that.” Then she added, “I’m sending a little prayer for both of you.”
“Thanks,” he said. “I think we’ll need that now more than ever.”
* * *
An hour later, Josie’s cell buzzed again.
She let out a held breath when she saw it was Dalton. “Hello,” she said, sinking onto the couch. She had every light in the house on and all the outside lights shining into the front and back yards.
“Hi,” he said, his voice sounding weary. “Any more calls?”
“No.” She shivered in spite of the heater blasting through the overhead vents. “I hope they’re done for the night. Or maybe forever.”
“They have your private number now, so no, they’re not done.”
She detected irritation in his voice. “I realize that, Dalton. That’s why I called you in the first place. Look, it’s late and you sound tired—”
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