Called to Protect

by Lynette Eason

  Blake gave her knee a nudge under the table and tilted his head toward the den. She stood. “Excuse me a minute.”

  “And me,” Blake said.

  Rachel’s eyes narrowed, but Chloe thought she saw a flash of happiness there before she lowered her gaze back to her pizza. Derek let out a low whistle and Brady raised a brow as he watched them leave.

  She wondered if Blake placed his hand on the small of her back on purpose or just out of habit. He held the door open and Hank shot through it into the fenced yard. Chloe took a seat on the porch swing and grabbed the blanket draped over the back.

  “Want me to light the firepit?” he asked.

  “Sure.”

  Once he had a nice flame flickering, he grabbed the ever-present marshmallows and roasting sticks. “I haven’t done this in a long time.”

  She smiled, nerves dancing in her belly. Before they’d found Rachel, he’d hinted at his interest in going out with her. “Is this our coffee date?”

  He settled beside her and she offered him part of the blanket. “Hmm. No, we’ll save that one for later in the week, if that’s all right with you.”

  “Of course.” She fell silent, then turned to lean against him. He slid an arm around her shoulders and she gave a sigh of contentment. Hank bounded back over and dropped his rope on the floor.

  Blake picked it up and threw it.

  “Hank will love you forever,” she said.

  He gave a low chuckle.

  “How’s Rachel doing?” she asked softly. This was the first time she’d seen him since rescuing the girls.

  “She’s okay. Not great, but I think she’ll get there with the help of the counselor we’ve lined up.” He brushed a strand of hair from her eyes, and his touch set off the butterflies.

  She cleared her throat. “Good. I’m glad.”

  “How are your dreams?”

  “Scary sometimes.”

  Blake hugged her. “I’m sorry.”

  “They’ll pass.”

  Her mother knocked on the door leading to the porch, then stepped outside. Tears streaked her cheeks.

  Chloe pushed away from Blake and stood. “What is it?”

  “They found Penny,” she whispered. “She’s coming home.”

  While the family celebrated, Blake glanced at his phone when it buzzed a third time in ten minutes.

  Frank.

  It’s now or maybe never, Blake.

  He sighed.

  “What is it?” Chloe asked. She’d slipped up to his side while he wasn’t looking.

  “Nothing.”

  “Right.” She turned away and he caught her hand.

  “It’s my brother. Our father is dying and he wants me to come to the hospital to say my goodbyes.”

  “So, why are you still here?”

  “Because I hate my father and I don’t have anything to say to him. Not even goodbye.”

  “I’ll go with you.”

  “So will I, Dad,” Rachel said softly behind him. “You need to do this.”

  Blake turned and blew out a breath while he pinched the bridge of his nose. And he knew he had to do it. I can’t forgive him, God. I know I’m supposed to, but I can’t do it. No, Blake couldn’t do it on his own. Maybe God would make it possible, though. “All right, we’ll go whenever you’re ready. I don’t want to take you away from this time of celebration, though.”

  “It’s fine. I’m thrilled Penny’s coming home. She’s going to need a lot of help and care in the coming months. Probably years, but at least she’ll be here.”

  “Agreed.”

  Chloe took his hand and a lump formed in his throat.

  “Come on, Dad,” Rachel said, “you can do this.”

  He nodded. “In a few minutes.”

  Linc slipped up beside them. “The cops found evidence in Miles’s house. Penny was definitely there. They found her phone slid up under a cabinet in the half bath. It also looks like she pulled out some strands of hair. DNA came back a match to her.” He shook his head.

  “That’s what you get for being a part of a cop family,” Chloe said. “Anyone else in the house involved?”

  “He lived alone, and while he had people working for him, they claim they had no idea the girls were being brought there for his approval. I’m leaning toward believing them. Miles was slick and covered his tracks well.”

  “He just picked the wrong girl to take,” Rachel said. Fire flashed in her eyes and pride made Blake reach out and squeeze her fingers.

  “Absolutely,” Linc said. “You’re the real hero in this whole thing, Rachel. Don’t ever forget it.”

  “Thanks,” she whispered. Then cleared her throat. “So, are you coming to my swim meet in a couple of weeks?”

  Linc grinned. “Wouldn’t miss it.” Turning serious, he eyed Blake. “How’s your dad?”

  “Getting ready to go find out.”

  The silent ride to the hospital didn’t take long. Blake appreciated that neither Chloe nor Rachel tried to make small talk. Instead, they let him think while he drove. Once they were on his father’s hall, Rachel hugged him and Chloe placed a light kiss on his lips. He swallowed and vowed to take her up on that hint of more to come.

  Blake stepped into his father’s room and found Frank sitting in the chair next to the bed.

  His brother looked up and let out a low breath. “You came.”

  “Yes. For you.”

  Frank nodded. “He wakes every once in a while, but less and less. The doctors think it’s a matter of days.”

  “Is he in pain?”

  “No. They don’t think so anyway.” Frank paused. “Why? Do you want him to be?”

  Blake jerked. “No. Of course not.” He paused. “You really think I could wish that?”

  “I don’t know. I did for a while. Then I came to realize that he doesn’t need me—or some disease—to punish him. He did that to himself his whole life.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Frank narrowed his eyes. “Do you ever remember him smiling? Did you ever once see him happy?”

  “No.”

  “I think it’s because he wouldn’t let himself be. Because he didn’t think he deserved it.”

  “He didn’t.”

  His brother ran a hand through his hair. “He’s talked a lot these past few weeks. I understand him better.”

  “And that’s enabled you to feel compassion for him?”

  “Yes.”

  “What do you understand better?”

  “Things from his childhood that he could never get past. Things like his father beating him and Uncle Greg until he feared for their lives. So much that he went to the cops, made sure Greg was safe, then left to live on his own. Things like his fear of the dark stemming from living in a storm drain and digging in trash cans for food from the time he was twelve until he was finally picked up at fourteen by a cop who got him help—and into a foster home.” He shook his head. “But the damage was done.”

  Blake let the words sink in with a bitter heart. “We didn’t turn out like him. Neither did Uncle Greg. How did his brother wind up his complete opposite?”

  “Greg has a different personality—not to mention he was adopted when he was six.”

  Blake pressed his fingers to his eyelids. “I guess.”

  “He’s suffered, Blake,” Frank said as he leaned forward and took their father’s hand in his. “I don’t want him to suffer anymore. I want him to be free of the pain of this life and to have joy and happiness in the next. I want that for him—and us. So that when we’re finally all reunited in heaven, we can have that relationship we were never able to have here on this earth.”

  For some reason, Blake’s throat grew tight and his eyes burned. He pictured his dad as a little boy being beaten by his father. It wasn’t hard to bring the images to mind—or the fear and anger that went with them. He knew. He’d lived it.

  “You think that’ll happen?” he asked Frank.

  “I’ve talked to him about
eternity and God and forgiveness. And I’ve prayed with him. I hope he understood. That he was praying along.”

  “He doesn’t deserve heaven or happiness.” His words were cold, but his heart wasn’t in them.

  “Who does?”

  “Ouch.” The truth hurt sometimes. Blake rocked back on his heels, then walked to the window to stare out into the bleary day. He’d been angry at his dad for a very long time. “How do I let go, Frank?”

  “Tell him you forgive him.”

  “Even if I don’t mean it?”

  “Even if. Because you will one day.”

  Blake walked back to the bed and watched his father breathe. Heavy, labored drags of air that were painful to see and hear. He cleared his throat and opened his mouth.

  But couldn’t force the words out. He shook his head. “You know me, Frank. I can’t say something I don’t mean.”

  Frank’s eyes flashed a sadness that pierced him. “I get it,” Frank said. “Maybe one day.”

  “Maybe,” Blake said and took another look at his father. “Aw, man,” he whispered. He thought about his conversation with Linc while they didn’t know if Rachel and Chloe were dead or alive. I forgive you, Dad.

  The words were there. He could almost say them. “I . . . don’t want you to suffer anymore, Dad. I hope you find peace.” There. That was about as close as he was going to get right now.

  With one last look at his dying father and a wave to his brother, he slipped out of the room.

  Chloe and Rachel waited in the hallway and he wrapped an arm around each of them. Chloe leaned into his side while Hank popped to his feet. “You okay?” she asked.

  He kissed the top of her head, then did the same to Rachel’s. “I’ll be all right. I think I’ll be able to forgive him one day.”

  “That’s progress.”

  He smiled. “Yeah, it’s progress. Now, who’s hungry?”

  “Kinda full of pizza right now,” Rachel said.

  Chloe nodded. “Ditto. But I can always eat ice cream.” She glanced at Hank. “I’m sure he could use a treat as well.”

  At the word “treat,” Hank woofed. Rachel laughed and scratched his ears. “Burger Barn?” she asked.

  Blake grimaced. “You mean Grease Pit?”

  “Come on. They have an amazing ice cream bar.”

  “I’m in,” Chloe said. They headed for the exit, arms wrapped around each other. A unit.

  Family.

  Gratitude caused his eyes to fill, his throat to clog.

  “You okay, Dad? What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.” He cleared his throat. “Not a thing.”

  In fact, everything was just about as close to perfect as he could hope for.

  Chloe’s heart stuttered as she caught a glimpse of the emotion going on in Blake. She’d grown to like this man entirely too much. And like was really too tame of a word. She more than liked him. When the silent admission didn’t send panic racing through her and heading for the nearest exit, she smiled.

  And she smiled all the way to Burger Barn, through ordering her ice cream and savoring the first bite while Hank settled under the table at her feet with his cup of vanilla topped with a doggie treat.

  “Why are you smiling?” Blake asked when Rachel excused herself to talk to two girls sitting in the corner, giggling.

  Within seconds, Rachel was back to get her ice cream. “Is it okay if I bail on you two?”

  Blake heaved a dramatic sigh. “I guess.”

  Rachel rolled her eyes, then leaned over to kiss him on the head. “Thanks, Dad.”

  He blinked and his eyes watered even as he looked away. “Sure, babe.”

  Once Rachel was settled with her friends, Chloe cleared her throat. “Because I like you.”

  He raised a brow. “What’s to like so much?” he asked and took a bite of his caramel chocolate crunch.

  “All the things that don’t get on my nerves.”

  He choked. Sputtered. And laughed as he wiped his mouth. “Wow. Not even a hint of hesitation there.”

  She grinned. “I like that I can do that to you.”

  “What?”

  “Make you laugh.”

  “Yeah,” he said softly. “So do I. I like a lot of things about you too.”

  “Like what? Besides the things that don’t get on your nerves.”

  “I like your wit. Your compassionate heart. Your bravery. I like that you don’t give up when things get tough. I like that you like my daughter enough to risk your life for her.”

  “You do like a lot.”

  “I like that you like me,” he said with a wink. His eyes turned serious. “Would you go out with me?”

  Butterflies kicked in. “I am out with you.”

  “I mean us.”

  “On one condition.”

  “Name it.”

  “You have to feed me steak.”

  He laughed again, looking younger and more carefree than she’d seen him since he’d arrived at the hospital to find Rachel missing. “Steak it is.”

  “And chocolate.”

  “Definitely chocolate.”

  “Hey, what’s going on here?”

  Chloe looked up to see Brady, Linc, Ruthie, Derek, Izzy, and Penny heading toward their table. “What are you guys doing here?”

  “A little bird told us you’d be here. We wanted to get ice cream too.”

  “Mom’s a little bird?”

  “She said you texted that you’d call her after you were finished getting ice cream. And we all know where the best ice cream is.”

  Chloe stood and went to hug her cousin. “Hey, Penny.” Penny shot her a tight smile and her eyes slid to the girls in the corner. “Want me to introduce you?”

  A shrug.

  “I think you’ll like Rachel. She was taken by the same guys who took you.”

  And just like that Penny relaxed. “Finally,” she whispered.

  “No one wants to bring it up?”

  “No.”

  “And it’s awkward for you to do so?”

  “Yes.” She met Chloe’s eyes, gratitude shining.

  “Come on.”

  Penny walked with her and Chloe introduced the girls. Rachel stood and hugged her fellow survivor. Tears gathered at the back of Chloe’s eyes and she drew in a breath. “Well, I’ll just leave you to it. What kind of ice cream do you want?”

  “Red velvet.” Penny sat next to Rachel, and the four girls started chattering.

  “Red velvet it is then.” She turned to find the others staring at her. “What?”

  “How’d you know? How’d you . . . she hasn’t said two words since we picked her up.”

  “Because I . . .” She paused. “I don’t know. I just did. Now go get the girls some red velvet and let me get back to my conversation.”

  “About?”

  “Where Blake’s going to take me to get some steak.”

  “Ooh . . .” Their voices blended as Chloe sat.

  She rolled her eyes, but smiled.

  “You’re smiling again.”

  “Yeah. I have a feeling it might become a habit.”

  He clasped her fingers. “Walk with me?”

  “What? Now?”

  “Yeah. I don’t want to kiss you in front of them.”

  She stood and led the way out the door, Hank at her side. Once out of sight of her nosey siblings, he pulled her close and slanted his lips across hers. His kiss left her feeling breathless, cherished, and eager for more. When he lifted his head, she found her smile still there. “I think we can add kissing you to the list of things I like about you.”

  He laughed and pulled her close for a hug. “Me, too, Chloe. Me, too.”

  Chloe looked around his shoulder to see Rachel and the rest of her family standing in the window laughing. Rachel sent her a thumbs-up and Chloe’s smile stretched into a grin.

  1

  THURSDAY NIGHT

  9:00 PM

  LAKE HENLEY

  Brady St. John sat on the
porch of the cabin he’d rented for the next two weeks and let his mind drift behind closed eyes. Unfortunately, the current took it to places he’d rather not revisit, so he lifted his lids and let his gaze settle on the lake.

  Peaceful. Gentle. A great place to solo dive or fish for a large bass and catfish. He’d had the catfish for dinner tonight. Remnants of that meal now lay pushed to the side, along with two ears of corn, a side of baked beans, and an apple pie his sister, Chloe, had made and insisted he take with him.

  On his vacation.

  Because he’d needed a break before he snapped like a toothpick. Only now the October evening air had gone from brisk to downright freezing, sending goose bumps to pebble his skin under the long-sleeved sweatshirt. But he wasn’t ready to go inside just yet.

  He finished cleaning the Glock and wiped it down. Setting it on the table next to his empty plate, he shook his head as his sister’s voice echoed in his mind.

  “Go somewhere peaceful, someplace quiet,” Chloe’d said. “Where you can go diving or just sit. And be. Like the Drummonds’ cabin on Lake Henley. They rent it out on a regular basis, I think.”

  “Yeah, during the summer. Lake Henley’s closed up for the winter.”

  “So sweet-talk them into letting you stay there. They probably wouldn’t mind making a little extra money on it.”

  “Maybe.”

  “You need to, Brady, you’ve been through a lot. Don’t think, just go. And just . . . be. And take your Bible with you.”

  He’d realized she was right. He probably did need a break. Especially after the latest case where a mother had driven her two children, ages four and six months, into the river, drowning all three of them. On purpose. Not to mention the fact that Krystal had managed to make a complete fool out of him. What had he seen in her anyway? She’d been smart. He’d liked that. And beautiful. That hadn’t hurt either. And mercenary.

  But he wasn’t going to think about that. He was going to sit.

  And be.

  So here he sat.

  Just . . . being.

  And he was bored out of his skull. He sighed and leaned back to stare at the porch ceiling. No, not bored. There just weren’t any distractions, which meant too much time to think about things he’d rather not think about. That was the real problem. He should have asked one of his brothers to come with him.