Page 59 of Rush

“That’s a relief.”

“He also told the Parkers to drop their suit, that in his opinion, they didn’t have a chance of winning custody.”

Nora’s shoulders visibly sagged. “Oh, thank god. We won’t need to go to court.”

“Not quite.”

“What do you mean? You just said they can’t win.”

“Yes, but we still haven’t come to any kind of agreement.” He left it at that not sharing Sid Parker’s parting words and the foreboding they left in his gut not wanting to worry her more than she already was.

Nora dropped her face into her hands. “I was hoping this would all be over.”

Linc rubbed her back. “I know, me too.” Linc stood. “Let’s get out of here.” He scooped Sophie up off the couch.

“Shall we go out to eat? It’s your last night to splurge before training camp tomorrow.”

“I’m not really in the mood. Let’s just pick something up on the way home.”

“Everything okay?” He caught her forehead pucker and was quick to distract her by kissing away her frown. His girl was sharp.

“Just want to make it an early night. I have a long day tomorrow,” he said by way of explanation to waylay any probing questions he didn’t want to answer.

That seemed to appease her as she didn’t ask any more questions as she stepped into the elevator and hit the button for the lobby.

He kept Sophie in his arms, wanting her close as they made their way out to the parking lot, all with Linc keeping a watchful eye out for Jake’s parents. He didn’t trust them. And although they made it to the car without Linc spotting them, he wouldn’t breathe easy until they reached the safety of home.

Chapter Twenty-two

In the six weeks Nora had been living in Linc’s house she’d seen gardeners, the pool cleaner, and once even the gas man roaming the property. So, when she saw a man through the kitchen window in tan coveralls with a pest control logo clearly printed on his back spraying the perimeter of the house, she didn’t think much of it. She went about her business of getting Sophie a juice box and taking it back to her in the living room where they were currently putting together a puzzle.

“Hey, look at you! You found the last piece of the border. Good job.” Nora got on her knees in front of the coffee table, setting Sophie’s drink down.

Sophie smiled and picked up another piece of the twenty-piece jumbo Beauty and the Beast puzzle. The tip of her tongue peeked out as she tried to make the piece fit. When she didn’t have any luck, she tried a new spot and it popped right in.

The doorbell rang. “You’re going to get this sucker finished before I even have the chance to find one piece,” Nora said standing. “Be right back.”

Pushing aside the curtain covering the front window by the door, she saw the exterminator standing on the stoop. He smiled and held up a clipboard.

Nora unlocked the deadbolt and opened the door. “Can I help you?”

“Just need to spray under the kitchen sink and then I’ll be out of your hair.” He held out an aluminum storage clipboard and, sure enough, the service was clearly highlighted on a work order.

Nora opened the door wider to let the man in. “Let me show you the way.”

“Oh, I’ve been here before. I know the way.”

Relaxing at his words, she led him to the kitchen anyway. “It’s a hot one out there today. Can I offer you a bottled water?”

“That would be great. Thank you, ma’am.”

She was in the process of turning toward the fridge when it happened. Surprisingly quick for an older man, he swung at her with the clipboard, nailing the side of her face.

Skyrockets exploded behind her eyes and her ear rang as pain like she’d never felt before sliced through her head. Knocked off balance, she was falling. She reached out an arm, trying to grab hold of something to break her fall but all she found was air. And then the back of her head hit the hard tile and the stars were back.

She had a sense of the man rushing past her. She blinked, tried to clear her vision, tried to roll to her side. She blinked again and heard the front door slam. Dazed and confused, she managed to get to her knees. She tried to call out for Sophie, but had trouble getting the word out, hearing nothing but a gurgle come from her throat.

Crawling, she used a lower cabinet to pull herself up, clutching the countertop for dear life as she attempted to blink away her disorientation. She tried her voice again. This time Sophie’s name came out more clearly, but the little girl still didn’t come running.

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