Page 39 of Under Fire

“He’s a good man to have at your side. Matt, did you report the incident to the local cops?”

“Yeah. Detective Miles Russell is handling the case. By the way, he’s a Ranger buddy of Ethan’s.”

“Yeah? I’ll be sure to pass that information along. Tell me what’s been going on since you arrived in town. Don’t leave anything out.”

Between the two of them, Matt and Delilah brought the Otter Creek detective up to speed.

“Incredible. I want regular updates, Matt. I don’t like the sound of this. I’m afraid trouble followed you to Harmony. I’ll touch base with Russell.” Rod paused. “Might be better if Ethan contacted his buddy. The detective could be more forthcoming with details if Ethan talks to him. In the meantime, be careful. I know you and your team think you’re bulletproof. You aren’t.”

“I hear you. Thanks for the warning.” Matt ended the call and wrapped his other arm around his girl.

“You should have told me.”

“No time. I didn’t plan to keep the news from you. You would have known the truth before you went to bed tonight.”

“Did Rod share any information before you put him on speaker?”

“He found evidence of two men in your house. They left behind duct tape and a full syringe in their haste to get away from Bravo.”

Delilah stared. “Duct tape and a syringe. What does that mean?”

“They didn’t break in to steal. Those men came for you.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Delilah frowned. “I don’t have enemies.” Had she seen something she shouldn’t? She wracked her brain and couldn’t come up with one single thing to explain why she was the target of these attacks.

“Come on. We shouldn’t let the ice cream melt.”

Delilah allowed Matt to lead her from the balcony although she wasn’t sure she could eat the treat after all. If not, she would enjoy drinking her unsweetened iced tea.

They joined Sasha and Cade at the table. The half hour passed with laughter as the others kept the conversation light. When the treat was gone, Matt sent Cade to rest with the promise to wake him in four hours.

Alone with the handsome medic, Delilah helped him stack the dishes and glasses on a tray and place them outside the suite door.

“Would you like to go for a walk?”

Dreading being alone with her thoughts, she nodded. “Do you think it’s safe?”

“We’re registered under assumed names. The shooter hasn’t had time to discover what hotel we’re in and I know we weren’t followed. We’re safe enough for now.”

“I’d love to go for a walk. I’m not used to being inactive. I miss my swim spa.”

Matt threaded his fingers through hers and headed for the stairs. “I saw a walking path beside the river. How does that sound?”

“Perfect.”

They descended the stairs in silence. By the river bank, Matt kept pace with her. “Tell me some good things about your mom.”

Delilah’s throat grew thick. She was grateful he didn’t push, seeming content to let her share what she could. As she waited for the emotional surge to recede, Delilah thought back to her childhood, the fun memories of outings and vacations, her early disastrous cooking attempts, and her initial interest in making candles.

She began to talk, the sweet memories flooding her mind as she related funny stories from her childhood. Throughout her recitation, Matt remained silent aside from the occasional encouraging comment or a chuckle.

By the time they returned to the hotel and the suite, the turmoil inside Delilah had subsided. Temporary, she knew. Still, she’d take a reprieve from the horrible sense of loss.

At the door to her bedroom, Delilah turned into Matt’s arms. “Thank you.”

He leaned down to kiss her, long, soft, and sweet, the caress a balm to her aching heart. “If you can’t sleep, come to me. We’ll watch a movie.” Matt smiled. “I’ll count the walk as our first date.”

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