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Damon scowled. “You had no right to put your prying eyes and ears on our conversation.” His voice was low and controlled.
Mercy’s eyes were as large as saucers. “I can’t believe you, Clint. What the heck?”
Noah tugged me closer to him. Protective. It was just like when we were kids and he felt someone or something was threatening me.
I yanked my hand out of his.
“I didn’t do anything,” Clint said, dropping the fast-food bag on the floor and turning around. “Sheesh, you try to do something nice, and everyone jumps all over you.” He hightailed it down the hallway toward the exit. “Never mind,” he yelled over his shoulder.
“My word,” Mercy said, looking at everyone. “I’m gone for two seconds, and the whole world explodes.” She turned to me. “You okay?”
I nodded, my pulse still racing. I couldn’t look away from Noah’s eyes.
Damon sighed. “Let’s get this cast on.” He walked into the hospital room.
“Who broke into your house last night?” Noah asked me. His voice was quiet but full of intent, as if he were conducting his own investigation.
I shrugged. “We don’t know. And that was private information that Clint shouldn’t have shared with everyone.”
“I’m noteveryone,” Noah said softly.
It was ridiculous, but I suddenly felt bad for not telling him. I shrugged and then turned away. “You’re only here a couple days, Noah. It doesn’t matter.”
I walked toward the nurses’ station, resisting the urge to look back.
Chapter Nine
Noah
My mind was in overdrive as we left the hospital. It was hard keeping my thoughts in order as I went over everything I’d learned about Ella. Damon was in dad mode as he switched the car seat out from my Jeep and got the kids into his police truck.
After the boys were both buckled, I forced myself to focus on Damon. “Listen, Ella thinks there’s something fishy going on with how Trent’s arm got broken.”
Damon rolled his eyes. “You mean the fact that Jason actually pushed him?”
I was taken aback. “Did he say that? Because the whole time, he’s been telling me Trent fell. Trent told me that too.”
Damon cocked his head to the side, like he was reminding himself not to yell at me. He sucked in a long breath. “Remember when I told you to watch them? This is what happens. They do stupid stuff. I’m going to go home and work on getting Jason to admit that he pushed his brother. I’m sure he scared Trent into hiding the truth from me.”
“You think Jason threatened him?” That didn’t make sense to me. They seemed like the best kids.
Damon roared out a laugh. “Do you remember when you threatened me not to tell Mom and Dad stuff?”
I winced. That brought back a flood of memories.
Damon shook his head. “Bro, I’m not mad about it. I threatened Canyon and Dylan and Kayla too. I’m just saying something happened, and we don’t know the truth yet.”
“You want me to come help you?”
“Here’s what I want you to do, bro. Go check on Dad. Go check on Mom. I know you’re only supposed to be here a week, but you can still help out.” He said it like he thought I was going to drag my feet over it.
“Right. That’s why I’m here.”
“Is that why you’re here? Really? Because I saw the way you looked at her. I saw the way you took her hand and wanted to protect her from the big, bad Clint.”
Now I felt attacked. “Can you tell me why he’s taking a jog out by her house? And why he overheard your conversation? And just so you know, when it comes to her, I want to be told what’s going on. You and McCrae don’t just go slinking around with your secrets.”
Damon looked surprised, and then he barked a laugh. “Youarehere because of her.”
