Page 16 of Mountain Protector

Knox turns to me. “I don’t know, Lark?—”

“Lark!”

My dad comes running into the hospital room, his usually neatly arranged silver hair sticking up in at least ten different directions. He’s wearing jeans and a sweatshirt, which is an outfit he would normally never wear out in public, and I’m not sure I’ve ever seen him look this panicked.

The two police officers step to the side to avoid getting plowed over as my dad rushes to the side of my bed. His eyes flicker to Knox’s hand holding mine, buthe doesn’t mention it, instead saying, “God. Lark, baby. I’m so sorry I wasn’t here sooner. The damn driveway, and my snowblower wouldn’t work?—”

“It’s fine.” Somehow, seeing my dad this worried makes me feel more in control. “I’m okay, Dad. Just a few stitches. I’ll be good as new in a couple of weeks.”

Knox starts to remove his hand from around mine, and without even thinking, I hold on more tightly.

ShouldI let him go? Yes. Undoubtedly. But I don’t want to. And after this massively terrible night, I don’t care what I should do. Knox makes me feel better, and I’m not willing to give that up until I have to.

Knox casts a little smile at me and settles back in his seat. His thumb caresses the back of my hand again.

Turning his attention to Knox, my dad asks, “And who are you?”

“Dad,” I hiss. “That’s rude. This is Knox. He’s my neighbor. And he helped me tonight.”

With his free hand, Knox extends it to my dad. “I’m Knox Buchanan. Like Lark said, I’m her neighbor. And friend. Lark came to me for help after the break-in, and I’m here now to give my support.” He pauses. “And protection.”

My dad’s brows pinch together. “And how are you going to protect Lark better than the police?”

“I’m not saying I’ll do a better job than the police,” Knox replies, though his expression shows he thinks he can. “But Officers Nelson and Quillian can’t be here all the time. Plus, I’m former military. Special Forces. Just got out two years ago and I’ve kept up with my skills.”

“Oh.” My dad’s bravado deflates. With a sheepish smile, he takes Knox’s hand. “Well, it does sound likeyou’re the right person to be here. And Lark said you found her in the woods? Brought her to your house until the police came?”

“Yes.” Knox lifts his chin. “My teammates are here as well. Green Mountain Guardians, based in Bliss. We’re private security, fairly new, but?—”

“I’ve heard of you.” Respect fills my dad’s eyes. “You guys did a job for a colleague of mine in Burlington. He said your company was top-notch.”

Still holding Knox’s hand, he gives it a sturdy shake. “Mitchell Weber. Sorry about the brusque greeting. But when I heard Lark was hurt… shot…”

“I understand.” Knox releases his hand. “I just want to assure you, I’ll do whatever it takes to keep Lark safe.”

He will?

I kind of remember him saying something in the woods about promising to keep me safe, but I figured that was just to make me feel better. Or a promise to get me safely to his house. Not a long-term thing.

My dad looks at me again, worry etched in deep lines across his forehead and around his mouth. “When are you being released? Do I need to talk to anyone? I’ll call ahead to the housekeeper, have her get your old bedroom ready?—”

“I’m not sure that’s the best idea,” Knox interjects.

“What? Why?”

“The person who broke in and attacked Lark is still out there. And based on what we know, he figured out a way to bypass her security system. He might”—Knox gives me an apologetic look—“try to come back. If he thinks she can…”

Trailing off, he leaves the end of it unsaid. But I know what Knox means. The shooter could come back. Either to keep me from identifying him, which I sincerely doubt I could, or to finish the job I interrupted last night.

If that happens, it puts my dad in danger. Yes, his security system is good. But as I learned, it’s not a guarantee. And my dad is sixty-seven. Even armed, I’m not sure he’d be a match for a determined intruder.

God. I don’t even want to think about that happening.

My hands tremble, and I quickly shove the one Knox isn’t holding under the blanket. I try to steady my voice as I say, “I don’t think I should go to your house, Dad. I don’t want to put you at risk. The police said I can stay at a hotel…”

“Yes,” Officer Nelson agrees. She gives my dad a reassuring smile. “There are a couple of hotels in Bliss we can put Lark in, and we’ll have a police officer stationed outside to watch.”

My dad meets her gaze. “Why Bliss? Doesn’t Lark live in Morristown?”

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