Page 19 of Guarding Colton’s Witness

“I don’t blame you,” Jonathon said as he pressed the bandage back down. “That’s not fun.”

“Can I play with my truck now?”

“Sure. You do that while I talk to Matilda for a minute.”

“Okay.”

Matti followed her father to the kitchen. “Want something to drink? I can make a pot of coffee.”

“No, I need to head out. What’s your plan for the boy?”

“He’s going to stay with me for a few days.”

“That’s not a good idea. Wyatt thinks some very bad people might be looking for him. You need to find him a foster family, Matilda.”

“And put them in danger? I can’t do that.”

“Then find—”

The doorbell rang. Saved by the bell. She headed for the door before he could tell her what he thought she should do. She understood he was worried about her, but she couldn’t in good conscience put innocent people in danger. Besides, most foster families had two or more children in their home, and risking the life of a child was not something she was willing to do.

She opened the door to find her mother standing there. “Hey. This is a nice surprise.” She glanced behind her. “Um, Dad’s here.”

“I know. His car’s parked in your driveway.” Her mother gave her one of those looks only a mother could give. “Can I come in, or should I just stand here?”

“Oh, sorry. Of course.” She stepped back.

“I want to meet this boy you brought home.”

“Who told you about Sam?”

“Not you, obviously.”

Oh, boy. When Emily Colton was miffed, she made sure you knew it. “It’s been a hectic few days.” Not that she had planned to tell her mom about Sam. There was no reason to. Sam would only be with her for a few days.

Emily was an author, doing well writing mysteries along with investigative journalism. When she was writing, she had a tendency to hole up for days and didn’t like to be interrupted. On emerging from what she called her writer’s cave, she’d make a point of spending time with her children, meeting them for lunch or having them over for dinner.

“Jon,” Emily said at seeing her ex-husband. “Introduce me to your little friend.”

Matti stood behind her mother, not concerned that her parents would be nasty to each other. From the day they’d separated, they’d maintained a civil relationship. Secretly, Matti thought they missed each other, but that could be just wishful thinking on her part. Her father had returned to the living room and was sitting on the couch with Sam on the floor in front of him.

Always with the manners, Jonathon stood to greet his ex-wife. “This is a lovely surprise, Emily.”

Matti thought he meant it.

He reached down and tapped Sam on the shoulder. “When we meet someone, Sam, especially if it’s a lady, we stand up.”

Sam stood up so fast he almost topped over. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know. Are you mad at me?”

“Of course I’m not mad at you, but now that you do know, I trust you’ll remember your manners.”

From the puzzlement on Sam’s face, Matti thought he wasn’t sure what manners meant. She also hated how he was always afraid someone was going to be mad at him. For the few days—or at the most, a week—while he was with her, she was going to work on his confidence.

“Sam,” Jonathon said, “this is Ms. Colton, Matilda’s mother. Emily, my friend Sam.”

“Hello, Sam,” Emily said. Her gaze lowered to the toy near Sam’s feet. “Do you like fire trucks?”

“Yes,” Sam shouted. “It can go fast. Do you want to see?”