LITMIR.BIZ

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who needed help.” She leaned back. “Gemma was attacked by her ex-husband again.”

      The girl glanced down at Gemma and then began touching her grandmother all over as though having to feel for herself that she was all right. It was so moving. Gemma had never had anything like that growing up. She’d never felt that close to her mother.

      “We drove up and there were all those lights.” Hallie’s eyes misted. “I was so scared.”

      Martha gave her granddaughter a kiss on her cheek. “Oh, now, you see everything is all right.”

      “I didn’t know, with all the trouble we’ve been—” She shot a look at Gemma. “I just didn’t know.”

      What had the girl stopped herself from saying? Trouble with what? Martha’s son? Hallie had to be his daughter.

      “Gemma!”

      At the sound of the rich, deep voice so full of concern, Gemma looked up to see Ford striding toward her, maneuvering through firemen and police officers to reach her. The sight of him sent sparks of gladness chasing through her. She couldn’t explain why. Why was he different than the other officers? She didn’t care.

      She stood as he neared.

      Instead of taking her into his arms as she half-expected, he took her hands and surveyed her. “Are you all right?”

      “Yes.”

      He surveyed her all over again. “Are you sure?”

      “I got away before he hurt me.” Again.

      “Or killed you,” he shocked her by saying, reminding her that Jed had promised to take her home … or kill her if she refused. She shuddered.

      Ford rubbed her arms. “I should have been there.”

      He was concerned. Really concerned. More than a police officer should be. Absurdly, this was exactly what she craved. For him to be here, making her feel safe … and more.

      Seeming aware of the intimacy at the same moment, he regained his composure. “What happened?”

      She reiterated what she’d already told the other officers. “He got away.” And that was what bothered her most. When she’d been racing from window to window inside Martha’s house, the night had cloaked him. Where was he? When would he show up next? Where would she be? Was he waiting outside? She’d have to watch over her shoulder constantly. And locking her house wouldn’t be enough. What was she going to do?

      She looked through the darkened window. In daytime she could see her house from here. Now she only saw her porch light. She didn’t want to go home. What if he was out there now? Watching the police. Waiting …

      “Don’t worry, Gemma,” Ford said, bringing her gaze up to his gorgeous blue eyes. “I’ll find him.”

      Movement at the front door made her turn with Ford. Bo Fargo entered. Big and tall, walking with an air of steamrolling intensity. He was older, in his fifties, with thinning brown hair. As he drew nearer, his bleary blue eyes drilled her with what she suspected was annoyance and forced concern.

      “I heard what happened.” He came to a stop next to Ford and asked Gemma, “Are you all right?”

      “Yes.” She was getting tired of being asked. “Fine.”

      “You were lucky to get away from him.” No mincing of words there. He definitely was a man who demanded respect. But there was something darker there, too.

      Averting her gaze, she spotted Hallie handing her grandmother a cup of hot tea. Then she noticed the firemen had gone, and the other officers were beginning to do the same. It left her empty and full of dread. Soon she’d have to face her house alone. The glass in her back door was broken.

      “You can stay here for the night.”

      Gemma turned to see Hallie.

      “Right, Grandma?” Hallie asked Martha.

      “Of course, dear.” Martha looked at Gemma. “We have plenty of room.”

      “Thank you.” The two had no idea what that meant to her. Or maybe they did. But then the way Hallie watched Bo caught her suspicion. She all but glared at the man. The boy she’d entered the house with moved to her side, watching along with her. What was that all about?

      “This is the second time Jed Johnson has gotten away, Ford,” Bo said. “I thought you were going to assign a patrol to Gemma’s house.”

      Ford’s reaction was full of resentment. “I did.”

      There hadn’t been enough time.

      “Well, apparently it isn’t enough.”

      “According to whom?”

      Gemma did a double take at Ford’s retort. Clearly he wasn’t afraid of his boss.

      The Chief of Police didn’t appear offended; challenged, maybe, but not offended or angry. He knew he was in charge. Or thought he was. “We can’t have this kind of crime happening here in Cold Plains. It ruins our stellar reputation. Our peace-loving culture. Something like this threatens the morale.” He turned to Gemma. “Isn’t that right?”

      He was asking her? “W-well … I suppose so.” She didn’t like feeling afraid to go home. Her house was her sanctuary. Was her sanctuary. That had been stolen from her. By that worthless wife-beater of an ex-husband she so stupidly married in the first place!

      Ooh … she was going to find something really frivolous to blow a sizable chunk of his money on.

      Noticing Ford’s brooding presence, she wondered what made him dislike Bo.

      “A patrol obviously isn’t enough,” Bo reiterated. “Samuel suggested that it might be a good idea if you stayed with Ms. Johnson until our perpetrator is captured. I happen to agree.”

      Gemma covered her surprise and saw Ford doing the same.

      “Samuel wants Ford to stay with me?” To protect her?

      Bo smiled, cunning and sureness abounding. Indomitable cunning. “Yes, he does, Ms. Johnson. He was not at all happy to hear that you were attacked again. He cares a great deal about your well-being. He cares even more about the well-being of this town. He would care about any woman who’s been brutalized. He wants you to feel safe, and I intend to make sure that you do.”

      While that sentiment eased a lot of her anxiety in a giant rush, she also hesitated. Samuel seemed to be going overboard for her. Or was Bo accurate when he said he cared about any woman who’d been brutalized? Yes. Samuel was out for the good of the town as a whole.

      “Of course, it’s ultimately up to you, but I do agree with Samuel that it’s in your best interest to have an officer at your house when you’re there. You shouldn’t be alone until we capture Jed.”

      “I …” She looked at Ford, whose hard eyes met hers.

      “If not Ford, then someone else,” Bo looked at Ford expectantly.

      “I’ll do it,” Ford snapped, and then softly to her, “But only if you agree.”

      Torn, Gemma looked from Ford to Bo and then through the front window. Though her house was still well-lit, it may as well be in Amityville.

      Slowly, she met Ford’s eyes again. “I would hate to impose on your time …”

      “It would be no trouble.” Ford’s voice was calm and every bit as sure as Bo had been. “I’d rather not risk another attack, either.”

      She smiled up at him and he looked at her mouth.

      “Then it’s settled,” Bo interrupted. “You’ll stay with Gemma until Jed is caught.”

      “Only if you’re sure,” Ford said, never moving his gaze from her.

      “I have

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