Page 23 of The Chance

Aubrey was already out. It was herhome. She needed to see.

No matter what, she needed to see.

20

Guthrie had just landedin his bed at the ranch after showering when his phone buzzed. He grabbed it. He was conditioned to answer the damned thing at the drop of a hat—babies came when babies came, after all. He wanted to be close to the hospital tonight if Genny needed him, and the family ranch was twenty-five minutes closer than his condo.

He’d been thinking of Aubrey, wishing he had her next to him. He knew that was exactly what he’d been doing—not only because he wanted to hold her but because he was worried about her.

George’s number lit up the screen. A text.

Answer your damned phone. Now.

Guthrie answered when it rang seconds later. “What’s wrong?”

It could be Genny. Or Ronnie. His sister-in-law was thirty-four weeks pregnant now and struggling with complications. He kept a close eye on her, too.

“Someone vandalized Aubrey’s house. Figured you’d want to know. I’m with her now, giving statements to the police.”

“I’m on my way.”

He bit back a curse as he remembered—he’d left his truck at the hospital and ridden home with Gunn for the night. Well, he was just going to have to get his brother. Aubrey needed him now.

Fifteen minutes later, he and Gunn pulled onto Aubrey’s street.

Guthrie jumped out. He saw her there, standing between Sheriff Addy and George. His oldest brother stood right at Aubrey’s shoulder, where he could keep an eye on her and her baby sister. Ayla was sitting on a little stone bench next to Aubrey’s walkway. All the flowerbeds he had noticed before were destroyed. Her plants had been uprooted.

The sight just pissed him off even more.

Aubrey loved plants—she had them all over her house. She’d spent serious time landscaping her yard. Only for someone to destroy that hard work. Guthrie was going to find the guy who had done this and take the price of those flowers out of the man’s hide. Hippocratic oath or not.

He reached for her. He didn’t plan it; it just happened. He wrapped his arms around her. “I’m sorry, baby.”

He didn’t ask what had happened—he could see the destruction clearly now. Ronnie’s brother was there. Murdoch had taken her home, had stayed with her until George had gotten there. Guthrie looked around. Apparently, Murdoch had hot-footed it the three blocks between Aubrey’s house and George’s.

Gunn had taken off toward her younger sister; his brother would make sure Ayla had what she needed. Gunn was good at helping people.

“Any idea of who did this? Is it related to Hodges?”

“Too early to tell. Figured you’d show up eventually,” Murdoch—said. He shot a look at Aubrey, who still stood pressed to Guthrie’s side. A knowing look.

“I need to get Ayla inside. She’s already hours behind in her meds,” Aubrey said in a tight voice that told Guthrie everything he needed to know. “She’s going to be hurting badly tomorrow if I don’t get her taken care of soon. I need to take care of my sister.”

“It’s going to be hours until Bailey—the Value queen of forensics—finishes,” Murdoch said. “You won’t be able to be inside while they’re doing that. You’re going to have to go somewhere else for the night. A hotel?”

“No. They can come back to the ranch with us. We have plenty of room,” Guthrie said, pulling her closer. “We’ll get Ayla back to the ranch. Everything will look better in the morning.”

“You, Dr. Hiller, are an optimist. It’s kind of annoying sometimes,” Aubrey said, pulling in a shuddering breath.

“He takes after his big brother Georgie,” Murdoch told her. “But he’s a good guy. He’ll behave himself. Or me and Caine will kick his butt in the morning. I can do it, too. I’ve kicked his butt before, I promise.”

“I need… Ayla… I—” Aubrey looked toward where her sister had been sitting. Guthrie followed her gaze. Ayla was now up in Gunn’s arms. Guthrie’s baby brother was carrying Aubrey’s sister toward the truck, purpose in his steps. “Well. I did not expect that.”

Well… Guthrie could have predicted it, actually. Not the carrying-a-woman part—Gunn was really shy with women in general—but taking the Fisher sisters home with them? Of course. Gunn had just beaten him to it. His brother could act fast when something needed to be done. Gunn had a lot of superpowers. Taking care of people was definitely one of them.

“Looks like Pastor Hiller is stepping up,” Murdoch said. “Can’t let little brother outdo you, Guthie-poo. Best get to it. Scoop her up and carry her away.”

Ronnie’s brother had always been an annoying ass. But this time, Murdoch was right. Guthrie was getting Aubrey back to the ranch where she could be safe and taken care of.

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