Page 27 of Caught in the Crossfire

Eyebrows arched, Mason glanced at Linc, then over his shoulder. He chuckled. “It’s the latest trend in home remodeling.”

“We’re not talking about the plywood, baby. We’re interested in the men hanging the plywood.”

Oh, brother. He blew out a breath. Although glad Nicole felt good enough to tease him, his cheeks burned at the compliment. “What did you put in that tea?” he muttered to his friend.

“Nothing to cause that response.” He shook his head when Nicole and Dawn laughed. “The women are enjoying this way too much.”

“There’s something about men with tools,” Dawn said.

Definitely time for a change of topic. “We have three hours before we need to get moving. You should try to sleep. Linc and I will keep an eye on everything.”

“How?” Nicole eyed the plywood-covered window. “We could have an army of terrorists setting up in the front yard and not know it.”

“One of us will keep watch at the back door. The other will go to the security room to watch the monitors,” Linc said. “We’ll know if the shooter is making another attempt.”

Dawn folded her arms over her stomach. “Do you think he will?”

“I think he’ll regroup and come up with another plan.”

“That doesn’t make me feel better.”

His gaze held hers. “It’s the truth. Would you rather I lie to you?”

“Never.”

Mason put in the last screw and stepped back, Linc’s words sinking deep. Was his friend right? If so, Nicole was in more danger than he’d realized. How could he protect her from an unknown assailant?

He set his screw gun on the floor beside his toolbox and crossed to her side. “Couch or recliner?” Trent had purchased a high-end recliner that was almost as comfortable as a bed.

Nicole looked at her friend. “You mind if I take the recliner? Elevating my upper body might help with the headache.”

“No problem.”

Mason glanced at Linc. “I’ll take the back of the house. You have more expertise with the security system and monitors.”

The PSI instructor turned to Dawn. “If you leave the living room for any reason, stay away from the windows. I’ll be in the security room if you need me.”

Her gaze followed him as he left the room. Nicole smiled. Romance was blooming. Sweet.

“Do you need anything, Nicole?” Mason crouched in front of her. “Grace said you could take over-the-counter pain medicine now.”

She brushed his lips with her own. “I’m okay. Please don’t worry about me.”

“I love you.” More than he ever thought possible. She was an unexpected gift.

Her smile pushed away the last of the coldness that had settled in his body after the shooting. “Good thing since I intend to marry you.”

“I’ll be close if either of you need me. If something spooks you, come to me.” He couldn’t help but steal another kiss before he took up his post at the back door of the darkened kitchen.

For the next two hours, he watched as leaves and branches swayed in the breeze. At the one-hour mark, a neighbor’s cat strolled through the yard. While he watched the sky lighten to a pearl gray, Nicole and Dawn began to stir in the living room.

Soon, Grace entered the kitchen. “Good morning, Mason.” She smiled. “Again.”

“At least this time, you weren’t woken by a hail of bullets.”

She opened a cabinet and grabbed supplies to make a fresh pot of coffee. “Are you working today?”

He’d been wrestling with that question during his vigil at the door. “Brian is depending on me and I don’t want to let him down.” Skipping work would bring Ethan Blackhawk down on his back, a problem he didn’t need. The police chief was a tough taskmaster.

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