Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 112762 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112762 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
“Who?” I demanded roughly.
Her eyes widened. “I can’t tell you. But I need you to promise me you’ll watch over her. She won’t accept help. I wanted to hire someone to protect her, and she said no because she can’t afford it. But she’d accept your help, Walker, if it meant protecting Callie.”
“I can’t protect either of them if I don’t know who I’m protecting them from.” Frustration churned inside me. I’d always known, hadn’t I, that Sloane was running from something? That the Howards had something to do with it.
“I can’t.” Monroe scowled, her chin setting stubbornly. “I won’t betray her confidence. But maybe she’ll tell you. I just need to know you’ll look out for her.” She ran a shaky hand through her hair. “I’m going to be so exhausted and preoccupied with Lennox, and I don’t want her to feel alone. I need to—”
I waved away her worries. “Stop stressing. Look after yourself and your son. I’ll look after Sloane and Callie.”
It was a dangerous promise. But I knew that I would have gotten involved even if Roe hadn’t asked. I couldn’t leave Sloane out there unprotected. Even if I also couldn’t let myself dwell on the real reasons why.
Eleven
SLOANE
Perhaps the last few weeks had finally caught up to me, but when my daughter insisted I take a nap, I fell into a deep sleep.
I’d returned home to the cottage feeling a whole slew of emotions. Excited and overjoyed for Monroe and Brodan that their little boy had arrived safe and healthy into the world. That Monroe was safe and healthy too. Yet, the entire time I’d sat in that hospital waiting room for news of my best friend and her child, fear had slithered its way inside me.
Something had felt off about my so-called mugging. And could it really be coincidence to be attacked twice in one month? Or was it Hoffman exacting a little payback?
It couldn’t be anything else.
Or could it?
While I waited for Regan to drop off Callie, I called Flora to explain why I couldn’t deliver on this Saturday’s cakes. She was perfectly understanding, but I felt awful that I was already letting her down.
Relief, however, soothed me when Callie walked through the door. I hugged her so hard, she teasingly complained.
“I love you,” I whispered almost desperately against her hair.
Callie arched her neck to look up at me and grin. “Did seeing Monroe’s baby make you mushy, Mom?”
Grinning, I smoothed my hands over her soft cheeks to cup her face. “Can you tell?”
Not even a few minutes later, though, when I stumbled into the sofa while attempting to walk to the kitchen, I found my way barred by my kid. “Mom, you need bed.”
“I’m fine.” I didn’t want to leave her unattended today.
But Callie scowled. “Mom, you look like the walking dead, and you need to take better care of yourself.”
“Gee, thanks.”
She rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean. Take a nap. I’ll be fine. I’m in the middle of a really good book.”
Swaying on my feet, I knew I needed rest. “I’ll nap if you snuggle with me. Bring your book.”
Callie nodded. “I’ll snuggle with you.”
My kid was the best kid in the world. “Okay, grab your book and head on up. I’ll be up in a second.”
Thankfully, she didn’t argue, and it allowed me to make sure the door and windows were locked without her asking questions. A few minutes later, changed into sweats and a tee, I climbed into bed beside Callie, who sat on top of the duvet reading what looked like a fantasy novel. I must have passed out as soon as my head hit the pillow.
Callie’s voice drifted into my consciousness. “She’s sleeping, but I’ll tell her you called … Yeah, we’re okay … well, she was up all night.”
I blinked out of the dark of sleep, feeling groggy and dry-mouthed. Callie sat up on the bed beside me, holding my phone to her ear. “Who you talking to, baby girl?” I asked, voice rasping.
What time was it?
“Oh, she’s awake, Walker.” Callie grinned and held out the phone. “It’s Walker.”
What the hell?
Why was Walker calling me?
Pushing up to sitting, I took the phone and glanced at the clock.
I’d been asleep for eight hours. Crap. Had Callie eaten? “Did you eat?” I asked her as I held the phone to my ear.
“I had a couple of snacks.” She shrugged and returned to reading what looked like a new book.
“Sloane?” Walker’s deep voice rumbled in my ear. “You there?”
Scrubbing at my face, I grumbled, “Barely.”
“Callie said you were sleeping.”
“Yeah. It was supposed to be a nap that apparently turned into a whole day of sleeping. Damn it.”
“You obviously needed it.”
I yawned, feeling like crap. “Right. What’s up?” Something occurred to me and I was suddenly alert. “Are Roe and Lennox okay?”