Page 34 of Sadie's Guarded Harbor

Tommy lifted his fist to knock on the door, stopping mid-air. “Are you ready?”

“Yes.” It might be a lie, but she’d never be more ready than now. And the longer they waited, the higher the chances this situation got even uglier.

Tommy knocked.

Nothing.

He knocked again, this time rapping his knuckles against the screen door twice.

Nothing.

Sadie held her breath, straining her ears to hear any type of movement from inside.

Turing his fist, Tommy banged on the door three times.

The piercing cry of a baby gripped Sadie’s gut. Every instinct in her body screamed to get in the house and get the kids.

The heavy door swung open, but the screen door remained secured between her and Tommy and Mitch Parson. His face pinched in anger with the baby held in front of his chest. “What the hell do you want? Get off my property. And tell that whore to go, too. She doesn’t deserve any sympathy, and she’s definitely not getting her hands on these stupid kids.”

The baby’s wails grew louder, fat tears streaming down her face.

“I had this one asleep until you slammed your stupid fist against the door. Now they’re both awake and crying. Damn kids. They just need to shut the fuck up.” Mitch gave one shake to the baby.

Sadie fisted her hands at her sides so she wouldn’t tear open the door and grab the kid from Mitch’s arms. “I’m pretty good with kids. I can take her and try to quiet her down for you.”

Mitch glared at her. “Like I’d trust my kid to another dumb bitch.”

A wave of his breath slid across her face—warm, stale, and reeking of alcohol.

“Mama!” The toddler charged forward, and Mitch swatted out his hand, sending the small boy backward.

Sadie ran her tongue over her top teeth to keep her words inside. She yearned to grab her weapon and take this idiot out. But he held a baby in his hands.

“Mitch, let’s just talk. Man to man.” Tommy raised his palms. “I’m sure this is all a big misunderstanding. You don’t want to hurt the kids, and we don’t want to hurt you. Let’s just calm down and figure out how to fix this.”

Mitch peered around them to the scene unfolding on his lawn. The shadows hid the details of his face, but the tappingof his toe against the ground and the darting of his eyes told Sadie he was scared. And scared men who felt trapped acted impulsively.

Unlocking the screen door, Mitch pushed it open a crack. “Fine. Wells, you can come in. But don’t try anything stupid. I’d hate to take my frustration out on one these screaming brats.”

Tommy turned to the side and slid into the house, both doors closing behind him.

Heart pumping, Sadie ran back to the group in the yard. The sheriff had arrived and was speaking with a group of deputies. Clara stood on the fringe, her arms folded around herself, focus fixed on the house.

“He let Tommy in?” The moon wasn’t bright enough to show his facial expression, but the sheriff couldn’t keep the hint of worry from his voice.

“Yes. He’s unhinged and drunk. I tried to talk him into letting me get the kids, but he refused. He had the baby against his chest. If we’d made the wrong move, he could have hurt the kid.”

“Oh God.” Clara pressed a hand over her mouth. “It’s all my fault. If he hurts them, I won’t be able to live with myself.”

“None of this is your fault,” Sadie said.

“Tommy can’t do much in there if the guy is using the kids as a shield…or a threat for him to keep his distance,” Mike said.

“Agreed,” Brian said. “That’s the same reason we can’t send the SWAT team in with guns blazing. Too risky.”

“Are there any other ways into the house?” Sadie asked Clara. “A backdoor left unlocked? A window open?”

“The kitchen door is locked. I already checked. But sometimes Mitch opens our bedroom window a crack. He likes it cold when he’s sleeping.”

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