Protecting Her Daughter (Wrangler's Corner) (11 page)

She moved a few steps into the den and waited while he peered out. She heard his gasp. “What is it?”

“Joy. She’s on the ground and she’s not moving.” He glanced back. “Stay here.”

“Aaron, no!” Ginny and Zoe said in unison.

But they were speaking to his back.

* * *

Aaron stepped onto the porch. He back itched like someone had painted a big target on it, but he assured himself that the person was after Zoe and Sophia, not him. The pep talk didn’t help, but it didn’t stop him, either. It
did
help to hear the sirens approaching. He knelt beside the still deputy and felt for a pulse. It pounded beneath his fingers and he drew in a breath of relief.

“Is she all right?” Zoe called from the porch.

“She’s alive. Get back inside.” His fingers ran over the back of her head and encountered a large lump. He didn’t want to take a chance on moving her in case she had a neck injury.

He heard a rustle to his left and spun to see a shadow move into the few trees at the edge of the property. “Hey! Tell Ginny he’s out here!”

Aaron bolted after the now fleeing figure. No way was he letting this guy get away. He had a chance to end this now. He heard Ginny and Zoe call his name, but the adrenaline rushing through him lent speed to his feet and heightened his senses. His blood pounded in his veins. He heard the moment the person moved from the lawn onto the pavement. With Zoe’s house right in the center of town, there were only a few sporadic trees and he was now past them, his eyes on the figure he refused to lose. The figure was smaller than Aaron, but quick as lightning. He noted the stares of the people he passed, but ignored them. He just prayed the guy didn’t pull his weapon and start shooting.

He heard running feet behind him and figured it was Ginny. Either backup had arrived or she felt like she could leave Zoe and Sophia alone long enough to help in the chase. Or the person he was after had brought help. No time to rethink his decision to go after the man.

The fleeing man whipped around into the open and then disappeared around the side of the small café. People on the street turned to stare, but Aaron sped past them. He figured the man was heading for the road that ran behind the next strip of stores. He gritted his teeth, put on a burst of speed and closed the gap.

His fingers grazed the man’s collar, then he hooked a finger on the inside. Joy’s attacker went down, and Aaron tumbled after him. They both hit hard and the air left Aaron’s lungs with a whoosh. Slamming into the asphalt at full speed
hurt
.

Stunned, Aaron lay there for a brief second that he couldn’t afford. Finally, with a pained grunt, he heaved himself to his feet and moved toward the man who’d caused them all so much trouble. The attacker saw him coming and pushed himself to his knees. Aaron moved faster and shoved him back to the cement then reached over to grab his mask.

The man rolled to his back, and his fist shot out to catch Aaron in the stomach. Aaron lost the rest of his breath when he went down to his knees, but the mask came off. Their eyes met.

“Freeze! Police!” Ginny’s voice rang out.

A gun appeared in the man’s hand, pulled from somewhere behind his back. He shoved it at Aaron who threw himself to the side. A shot rang out. The gawkers on the street screamed and dove for cover. The man backed away then turned and ran. Ginny didn’t return fire, and Aaron saw why. An elderly couple stood frozen with fear right in the line of fire watching the fleeing criminal. Aaron rolled to his feet, ignoring his aches and pains and stumbled after the man. Just in time to see him jump into a black sedan and roar away.

* * *

Zoe’s nerves had stretched to the breaking point by the time Aaron came limping up the back porch. Ginny walked behind him throwing glances over her shoulder every few seconds. Paramedics were lifting Joy onto the stretcher. Sophia hovered at Zoe’s side. “Stay here, honey,” Zoe told her.

“But Mom—”

“Stay here. You’ll be able to see me. Don’t move.”

Zoe ran down to him and met him halfway across the back lawn. “Are you all right?”

“Yes. I’m fine. You shouldn’t have come out of the house. It’s possible he could circle back.”

She grabbed his arm and he winced. “He’s gone for now. And you’re not fine, you’re hurt.”

“Just bruised. I landed pretty hard when I tried to recreate my days of Friday night football.”

Zoe trotted along beside him. “I heard a gunshot.”

“Yes, but he missed.”

She led him up the steps and into the house. Sophia stood just inside the door where Zoe left her. Her tight face of concern met them. “Are you okay, Doctor Aaron?”

“I’ll be just fine, sweetie.”

Sophia didn’t look convinced. “Did you get shot?”

“No, sweetheart, I fell.”

Zoe led him to the kitchen table and he sank into the nearest chair. She pulled another chair around for him to prop his leg on. “He got away, didn’t he?” she asked.

“Unfortunately,” Aaron said. “Is Joy going to be okay?”

“Yes, Ginny waited for the paramedics to check her then took off after you. He must have caught her by surprise and hit her pretty hard with something.”

“Probably the gun he had with him,” Aaron murmured.

Zoe shuddered. “I’m so sorry about all of this.”

“It’s what they do, Zoe,” Aaron murmured. “No apology necessary.”

“But it’s not what you do. You shouldn’t be chasing intruders across my backyard.”

He reached out and cupped her cheek. “It’s okay, Zoe. I want to be here for you. We all do.”

She knew that, but she still didn’t want them to be in danger because of her. Sophia hovered. “Will you get Doctor Aaron a glass of water, hon?”

Sophia jumped into action. She poured him a glass of water and handed it to him. He chugged it. “Thanks, Sophia.”

“You want another one?”

“Sure.”

Once he had it refilled, Zoe drew Sophia next to her side. “Tell me everything.” She hated for Sophia to have to hear it, but the child needed to understand the danger involved.

“Actually,” Lance said, coming into the kitchen from the living area, “tell
us
everything.” Deputy Walter Haywood followed, his notebook out, pen ready. Once Aaron finished relaying the events to Walter and Lance’s satisfaction, he rubbed his eyes. Zoe could see his weariness wearing on him. Lance looked tired, as well. “You got a pretty good look at this guy?” Lance asked.

“Yeah, I managed to get his mask off and could describe him or pick him out of a lineup. Ginny may have seen him, too.”

Lance nodded. “Come down to the station and work with Edie as soon as you can.”

“Edie?” Zoe asked.

“Edie Travers,” Walter said. “She’s a local artist who’s trained as a sketch artist. She mostly works with the Nashville Police Department, but offers her services to Wrangler’s Corner when it’s needed. Which, thankfully, isn’t often.”

“I can do that,” Aaron said. “Tell her to call me with a time.”

“Good. I’ll see if she can meet with you first thing in the morning,” Walter said.

Aaron nodded. “Fine.”

“And while you’re doing that,” Lance said, “Parker and I are going to head to Knoxville to see if we can talk to the Bishop family.” He looked at Zoe. “Walter will be watching you while Ginny stays with Sophia.”

“Okay,” Zoe said. “Let us know what you find out?”

“Of course.”

“How is Joy? Have you heard anything? Is she going to be all right?” Zoe asked.

“Ginny’s with her.” He glanced at his phone. “She said she would text me when she knew something, but before they took off to the hospital, the paramedic said he thought she’d just had a hard knock to the head. A possible concussion, but he seemed to think she should be just fine.”

Relief swept over her. “I hope so.”

“All right, you guys get to your dinner, and I’ll be in touch. Parker’s going to be here for a while then I’ll take over around one in the morning. That way we can both get some rest before we have to leave for Knoxville.”

Lance left, and Zoe walked into the kitchen to pull the chicken from the oven. She grimaced and glanced up at Aaron who’d followed her. “It’s a little over done, but it’s edible.”

“I’m sure it’s amazing.”

“If you’ll tell Parker and Sophia it’s ready, I’ll get it on the table.”

* * *

Aaron let his eyes linger on hers. She looked away to focus on the food. He sighed and walked to the den where Sophia played a game on the laptop and Parker rotated between the windows, pushing the curtains aside to peer out. “You guys ready to eat?”

Sophia popped up from the chair. “I am. I’m starving.”

Aaron held out a hand and she grasped his fingers. The walls around his heart cracked even further and he knew he was in trouble. He’d always loved children and animals, took joy in and wanted to protect their innocence, unconditional love and loyalty. Probably why he’d fallen so hard for the single mother who’d run off with her ex-husband. And now he was doing it again. He grunted at his foolishness. He could fight it. Probably should. Over the past few days, this duo had done serious damage to the walls he’d erected around his heart.

They walked into the kitchen, and Sophia pulled him over to the chair next to hers. He smiled and settled himself at the table. Parker looked uneasy. “I’ll just nibble while I keep tabs on the windows. I don’t want to let my guard down.”

Zoe nodded. “Of course. Feel free to fix a plate and take it into the den.”

Parker did and when he vanished into the next room, Aaron looked at Zoe on one side of him and Sophia on the other. He swallowed hard. They could be a family. A small unit doing life together. He found he wasn’t opposed to the idea and that set his self-protective alarm bells clanging. Hadn’t he just been thinking he needed to repair the damage to the walls he’d put up?

She wasn’t going to be here long. She was leaving and she was taking Sophia with her. Not necessarily because of another man, but the end result would be the same. He’d be alone with his shattered heart once again.

“Aaron?”

He blinked. “Oh, sorry, just thinking.”

“About?”

He cleared his throat. “Ah...” His phone rang, rescuing him from having to come up with an answer. He pulled the phone from the clip. “Excuse me, it’s Lance. I need to take it.”

“Of course,” Zoe said.

“Hello?”

“Aaron, Edie’s in Knoxville for the day, but said she could fit you in after we talk to the Bishops. How do you feel about riding with us in the morning?”

He mentally ran through the list of things he needed to do in the morning. “That’s fine. I’ll let Nate know what’s going on. If he’s not planning to be there, I can shut the office for the day.” He never closed except for the weekends and emergencies. He figured this qualified.

“Good. Be ready around eight. I’ll pick you up.”

“I’ll be ready.”

“Oh, and interestingly enough, Amber had some success in finding out where Zoe spent that year she went off grid.”

“Really? Where?” He didn’t look at her, afraid she’d pick up on the fact that she was the topic of conversation.

“She wouldn’t say. Just said it wasn’t anything illegal and if Zoe wanted us to know, she’d tell us.”

Aaron rubbed his chin. “Huh. Okay then. Good to know.”

“She said she ran into a dead end on Zoe’s brother, though.”

“Okay. Thanks.” He hung up and saw Zoe and Sophia watching him. “I’ll be riding to Knoxville in the morning with Lance and Parker.” He explained the reason why.

She nodded. “I hope it helps catch this person.”

“I do, too.” He cleared his throat. “Would you like for me to say the blessing?” She frowned and he paused in the act of bowing his head. “What is it?”

Her frown slipped into a forced smile. “Nothing. Of course you can say the blessing.”

“My mom’s mad at God,” Sophia whispered.

Zoe flinched. “Soph...”

Sophia shrugged. “Well, aren’t you?”

Zoe’s face reddened. “I’m not mad at God,” she said. “I might be a bit frustrated with Him, but I’m not mad.”

“You’re not speaking to Him. I think that means mad.”

At Zoe’s ferocious frown, Sophia poked her lip out. Her gaze flicked to her mother, to Aaron then back to her mom. “Sorry,” she muttered. “Was that ‘crossing the line’?”

“By several feet.”

Sophia ducked her head. “I’m sorry.”

Aaron reached under the table and snagged the girl’s fingers and squeezed. She looked up at him. At Zoe’s sigh, Aaron said, “I think she’ll forgive you.”

Zoe gave a humorless chuckle. “All is forgiven. Now pray so we can eat.” Her lips softened. “Maybe it’s time I started saying grace again anyway. Even in the midst of all this craziness, there’s quite a bit to be thankful for.” Her eyes lingered on his and then slid to Sophia.

Aaron bowed his head and Sophia left her small hand in his. “Lord, we ask that you bless this food. We pray that you touch Joy with healing. Please protect Zoe and Sophia and those who are trying to catch the person after them. Thank you so much for the protection you’ve already placed around them. Amen.”

“Amen,” Sophia echoed.

Aaron thought he heard a whispered “Amen” from Zoe, as well.

He looked at the two females sitting on either side of him. He realized he wouldn’t be building any walls around his heart. It was too late. He had fallen fast and hard. Now he added a silent prayer just between him and God.
Please don’t let anything happen to them, and I’d really appreciate it if you’d convince Zoe to stay in Wrangler’s Corner. But if for some reason this isn’t to be, show me how to pick up the pieces and move on after they’re gone.

TWELVE

W
ithin the cover of the enclosed garage, Zoe zipped Sophia’s coat then watched her get into the backseat of the police cruiser. Ginny sat at the wheel speaking into the phone. “Yes, that’s fine. It’s not a problem, I’ve got it covered. Bye.” She hung up with a frown.

“Problem?” Zoe asked.

“No, not really. Just something concerning my sister. I’ll deal with it later.”

“Anything I can do to help?”

“No.” She offered Zoe a confident smile. “Have a good day.”

“I will. You, too.”

Zoe shut the door, thought two seconds then opened it before Ginny could back the car out. Sophia looked up. “Did you forget something?”

“Come on back inside, hon. You’re not going to school today.” She just couldn’t send her. She looked at Ginny. “I’m sorry. It’s not safe. Especially not after last night. I just don’t want to let her out of my sight.”

“But I want to go,” Sophia protested. “And I’m with Deputy Ginny. I’ll be fine.”

Still Zoe stood frozen with indecision raging.

“I understand your fear,” Ginny said. “But really it might be more safe for her to be at school than here, though.”

“What do you mean?”

“At the school, there’s the school resource officer as well as a plainclothes officer at each entrance of the building. After what happened last night, Clay called in a few of his buddies from when he was with the Nashville Police Department. There are some plainclothes watching your house, as well.”

“Oh.” She drew in a deep breath. “Well, in that case...”

“She’ll be fine, I promise.”

Still Zoe hesitated. “Come on, Mom, I’m going to be late. Please?”

“All right,” she said. “With all that security, I guess you’re right.”

“Yes!” Sophia pumped her fist in the air, and Zoe stepped back. Ginny gave a small salute and Zoe pressed the button to lift the garage door.

She watched them leave then pressed the button once more to lower the door. Back inside, she paced from window to window, peering out and wondering where those plainclothes officers were. Then again, if they were good at their job, she wouldn’t be able to see them, right?

A knock on the door stiffened her spine. Deputy Haywood pulled his weapon and moved from the kitchen barstool to the door to look out. He relaxed a fraction and holstered his gun. “It’s Sabrina’s grandmother, Yvonne Mayfield, from across the street. She runs the bed-and-breakfast.”

“Of course. Please, let her in.”

Walter opened the door and the woman stepped inside. In her hands she held a basket covered with a red-and-white checkered cloth. “Hello.”

“Hi there. I know we haven’t been properly introduced, but Clay mentioned your troubles and I wanted to stop by and see if you needed anything. I’m Yvonne Mayfield, but you can just call me Granny May.”

“Well, thank you, Granny May. I’m Zoe. Won’t you come in and have a seat?”

“No, I’ve got to get back.” She handed Zoe the basket. “Just enjoy those and get the basket back to me anytime.”

Zoe lifted the edge of the cloth and cinnamon wafted up to her. “These smell yummy.”

“Oh, they’re good all right.” The wizened woman smiled revealing a full set of white dentures. She had to be in her eighties, but she stood ramrod straight, shoulders thrown back and head held high. “Well, you stay safe, young lady. And I’ll be watching out for you, too.”

Zoe felt a knot form in her throat. Small-town life. She could grow to love it. “Thank you. And congratulations on the birth of your great-grandchild.”

Her face glowed. “It’s definitely exciting.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Gotta run now. You take care.”

Zoe thanked her again and the deputy opened the door for her. When he turned back, his eyes were on the basket.

Zoe held it out to him and he grinned, reached in and promptly wolfed down two of the cookies.

“I take it you’re familiar with Granny May’s cooking?”

“Yes, ma’am. Can’t beat it.”

Zoe took one of the cookies and let him carry the basket into the kitchen. She wondered if there would be any left if she wanted another.

Wrangler’s Corner. A small town with a sweet woman who didn’t let a little trouble keep her away from welcoming a stranger. A deputy’s office that was going all out to keep her and her daughter safe. And a man named Aaron Starke who obviously wanted her and Sophia to stay in town for the duration, but was willing to put his own wants on the back burner if it meant keeping her safe.

She walked into the kitchen to find Walter finishing off one more cookie. He reddened. “You caught me.”

She laughed. “It’s fine. My daughter has diabetes so I have to monitor her sugar intake very carefully. Go ahead and eat them, just save her one.”

He smiled. “I won’t argue with you.”

“I figured.” Yes, she could get used to a place like Wrangler’s Corner. She might be tempted to make the town her permanent home if she could just figure out—and stop—who wanted to bury her in the local cemetery.