Page 41 of Embracing Hope

Isaac stared down at the man he’d punched. Blood poured from one nostril and soaked the front of his shirt. “What the fuck was that for, man?” he sputtered, sending a spray of blood into the air.

“What’s happening in here?” Robbie flew into the room as more hands poured in, glancing from Isaac to Wheeler for an explanation.

“It’s all good. Just a minor misunderstanding, right fellows?” Billy said.

Isaac's response was cut off by his phone's buzzing. He picked up it up and read the text message…

“Please come back to the house. I need your help. Hope.”

Without a word, he shoved his phone back into his pocket, swiped his jacket up from the end of the bed, and dragged it on as he rushed past the men, who were still silent and curious.

A blast of damp air hit his face the second he walked outside. The rain had started, and the temperature had dropped. He pulled up the collar of his jacket higher on his neck and followed the path up to the main house. The lights were still on in the windows, and the outside porch light glowed as he pounded on the door.

The door whipped open, and Hope, dressed in a robe and holding her shoulder, was on the other side.

Chapter Ten

“Is it only your shoulder that hurts?”

Hope accepted the ice pack, painkiller, and water from Isaac. He’d investigated the house and property and found nothing amiss. She pressed it against her bruised skin, wincing in pain. She shifted her legs up under her on the couch. “Just my shoulder.”

“I still think we should take you to the hospital and have it checked out.” Isaac looked like he was fit to be tied. His hands were in fists, and his shoulders lifted and fell with each breath.

“I’m fine. It’s just a bruise. No reason to cause a fuss.” She also noticed his knuckles were red and bruised. “Did you get into a fight?”

He shoved his fists into his front pockets. “I’ll explain later. Now tell me again what happened.”

She drank some water, swallowed and got her thoughts into order. “I came downstairs and heard a noise coming from Daddy’s office. I went in thinking that he was working. I switched on the light and saw a man wearing a mask. He shoved me out of his way to the door. I fell against the wall and that’s how my shoulder got bruised.”

“Breaking and entering. Bodily injury. We need to find the asshole,” Isaac growled.

“Why don’t you have a seat.” She could see his anger in his tight expression.

Reluctantly, he sat beside her but stayed on the edge of the cushion. “Is anything missing?”

“Not that I can tell. I think I caught him while he searched for something on the desk. If I had to guess, I’d say he was watching the house, saw Liberty leave, and might have thought it was me leaving. It’s a theory.”

“Why don’t you want to call the sheriff?”

She lowered the ice pack. “The last thing this family needs is more time in the spotlight.”

“But this is serious.”

“Yes, but we handle things amongst ourselves here.”

He rubbed his eyes as if releasing some tension. “Fine, but I’m not leaving your side tonight.”

Without hesitation, because she’d been hoping he’d say that, she started to say, “The guest room—”

“No. I’m staying with youinyour bed. We can sleep in one of the guest bedrooms if you prefer,” he said with authority.

Excitement rumbled through her. The prospect of sharing her bed with him made her body react, even at the most inopportune moment. “Okay,” the word came out in a peep.

“Why don’t you go do what you need to get ready for bed? I’ll take care of making sure the doors and windows are locked.” He was already standing.

“Thank you. I want to get out of this robe.”

“I’ll meet you in your bedroom,” he said calmly.

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