Page 50 of Guarded from Treachery

A pretty woman with red hair steps forward and gives me a quick hug. “I’m Hope. It’s nice to meet you.”

“And I’m Blythe,” the third woman says. She’s holding a bag in each hand, so she lifts her chin as she smiles at me. “Sorry. Loaded down here. Or I’d give you a hug.”

Lucy glances around the small semicircle of women around her before returning her gaze to me. “So, we’ve been talking about you.” She stops. Her cheeks go pink. “I mean, not in a bad way. Just that you’re here, and you’re pregnant, and…”

“And Matt mentioned you’re just into the second trimester,” Jade adds. “And I bet you haven’t had much time to get anything. Maternity clothes, lotions, a pregnancy pillow… So we were kind of hoping we could help.”

“Me and Lucy don’t have babies yet, obviously,” Sarah says. “Although…”

Milena grabs Sarah’s arm. “Are you?”

“No,” Sarah replies quickly. “Not me. Dante and I want to wait a little longer before trying. But Lucy”—she raises her eyebrows—“might be a different story, soon.”

Lucy’s cheeks go even redder. “Maybe. Hopefully. We’re trying.”

Hope beams at Lucy. “Oh, that would be amazing!”

Belatedly, I realize I’ve left everyone standing out in the hallway instead of inviting them in. “Oh, sorry! Come in.” I step back and gesture for everyone to come inside. “Do you want anything to drink? Eat? I have soda, water, seltzer, tea?—”

Jade touches my arm. “Don’t worry about entertainingus, Isla. We’re here to help you, if it’s okay?”

My throat goes thick. For a second, I can’t speak past the lump in my throat. “Yes. It’s okay. Thank you.”

Once permission is given, the next few minutes are a flurry of activity. Half a dozen bags are arranged beside the couch, and an array of snacks and drinks are set out on the coffee table—all brought over by Sarah and Lucy and Jade. Then all six women cluster around me, finding seats on the couch, the armchairs, or the floor.

Lucy busies herself making a plate of snacks for me, which is unnecessary—I’m pregnant, not an invalid—but very sweet. As the others pile their own plates high with vegetables and chips and cookies, I ask, “So… how do you all know each other?”

“It’s an interesting story,” Jade replies. “So Blade and Arrow was founded by Cole—Matt told you about him, right?”

I nod. “He did.”

“Okay.” Jade takes a bite of cookie before continuing, “So Cole worked in San Antonio for a year after leaving the Army. He worked for the San Antonio PD while he was here, and his partner was Quint, who still works there. But some stuff happened, and Cole decided to form Blade and Arrow out in New York. Create a company that can help people in ways the police can’t, you know?”

At my answering nod, she says, “Right. So they had the branch out in Sleepy Hollow for five years before Cole decided to open another one here. Cole already knew Quint and a bunch of first responders from the year he spent here, so he introduced them to the new Bravo team. And in the year Bravo team has been open for business, we’ve really gotten to know everyone. Quint, and his wife, Corrie. Milena and TJ, Blythe and Squirrel?—”

“Squirrel?” A second later, I blush. “Sorry. I didn’t mean?—”

“No, it’s fine.” Blythe laughs. “That’s what the guys at the fire station call him. But his real name is Sawyer. Don’t ask.”

“And my husband is Calder,” Hope interjects, chuckling as she adds, “No weird nickname, though.”

“It’s been really nice,” Lucy says. “Having everyone around. We have parties in the barn sometimes, or we’ll meet up in San Antonio or Seguin.”

“And we help each other out.” Blythe’s expression sobers. “I was homeless for a while, and if not for Sawyer and his friends, I wouldn’t be where I am now.”

“Blythe.” Milena leans over and gives her a hug.

“I remember how scary it was,” Sarah says. Her eyes are filled with compassion. “I felt really alone when I came here for help. But everyone just made me feel at home. And we’re hoping we can make you feel at home, too.”

Oh.

Tears prick my eyes. “That’s… I would love that. Thank you.”

I can’t rememberthe last time I sang.

As a child, I loved it. I’d make up little songs and walk around the house singing. And in elementary school, music was my favorite class. I can still remember my teacher, Mrs. Adelman, encouraging me to join the chorus, telling me I had the most beautiful voice she’d heard since she started teaching.

I still remember the pride I felt when I was selected to sing the solo at the spring concert when I was in fourth grade. I remember how amazing it felt, singing my heart out and hearing the thunderous applause from the audience after. I still remember how Mrs. Adelman hugged me as she said,“You have a true talent, Isla. Voices like yours only come along once or twice in a lifetime.”

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