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What happened to Reese today was a harsh reminder of what could happen to any woman. A random occurrence would mean the danger was gone. Poachers would move on and move out.
“You might have had something to do with it,” she said, dropping her gaze to the carpet. “I have so many questions about what happened and why.” She rubbed her arms again. “It might have been unintended, but you saved me from...whatever it was those men planned to do with me. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” he said. “I’m just relieved you’re okay.”Okaywas a relative term. She was shaken up, which was understandable.
She nodded.
“How about that grocery bag and shower,” she finally said, pushing up to standing. As she took a step, her leg gave. In one quick motion, Darren was by her side, catching her, keeping her from falling on her backside. “I’m fine.” She righted herself quickly, pushing him away as she regained her balance. “It’s all good. I probably sat too long. That’s all. I’m better now.”
He took a step back. “Okay.” The other possibility was that she’d lost her balance from the head injury. Stacie had given the green light, told them that Reese was medically sound. She also said to call if he had any concerns.
Reese wiped her hands down her shirt and took a couple of steps. “See. All good here.”
It didn’t erase his concerns, but seeing her walk without falling was a good start. “I’m right here if you need an arm to hold on to.”
“I got this,” she said in a tone that reminded him of her independent streak. Reese had always been the silent observer. She was so quiet in a room, it had been easy to overlook her for most of their lives. Except that he’d noticed her in middle school before she grew into her looks...and she’d been beautiful. Still was, which bothered him more than he wanted to admit.
He stood there, waiting for the inevitable question.
“Which way to the bathroom?” she asked.
“Down this hallway,” he said, pointing toward the guest area. “I’ll grab a few things and meet you in the hallway outside the door. There are unused toothbrushes underneath the sink.”
She nodded and left the room. After gathering a few supplies, he stood outside the bathroom door and knocked.
The door opened enough for him to slide the items into her hands.
“Take your time in there,” he said. “If I hear from the sheriff, I’ll let you know.”
After receiving confirmation, he headed back into the living room and grabbed his phone. A quick check of local news didn’t reveal anything about the abduction.
He made a quick call to check on his daughters, and found out they were doing fine. As he held his phone, he looked at the wallpaper on his phone. The picture of his wife holding their newborn twins wasn’t something he believed he’d ever replace. The girls were older now and their looks had changed so much. It might be time to update the photo.
A noise sounded from the hallway. Darren jumped to his feet and made a beeline for the bathroom door. He accidently stepped on Ivy’s favorite rattle and almost face-planted. His reflexes were solid. A quick hand up to grab hold of the fireplace mantel saved him. The girls’ belongings were strewn around the living room, but he liked seeing reminders of them everywhere, especially on nights they slept over at Stacie’s, or at their grandparents’. Being poked in bare feet wasn’t as heartwarming as he hopped around, cursing, but at least this time, he had his shoes on. Thank the stars.
“Everything good in there?” he asked, standing at the door.
“I’m all right, but your shower curtain might not survive,” Reese said with a moan of what sounded like embarrassment.
“Mind if I open the door?” he asked.
“Give me a sec,” she said. The naked image of her wasn’t one he needed burned in his thoughts.
Another noise sounded in the living room, sending an ominous feeling rippling through him. “Hold on. I’ll be right back.”
Chapter Five
Reese didn’t like Darren’s tone. She’d heard it before when there’d been trouble brewing. After what she’d been through today, it sent her pulse through the roof. Had the person who’d abducted her—and abduction was the only logical explanation, since there was no way she’d go with a stranger willingly—figured out where she was?
The thought had her racing to get dressed. Since her clothes were in a paper bag in the hallway, she shrugged into the oversized T-shirt and then the bathrobe. She kicked the shower curtain to one side to clear a path to the door, then reached for the door handle.
The door opened before she got to it.
She gasped, bringing her hand up to cover her mouth.
Darren took one look at her face and held his hands up, palms out, in the surrender position. “It’s fine. A bird took a nosedive into the glass patio doors. They’re reflective, so birds sometimes make the mistake of thinking they can fly right through.”
“I thought maybe the guys found me here and were coming for me,” she admitted. A glance at the mirror as she walked past revealed a ghost-white reflection. She took in a couple of deep breaths to calm her nerves.
