Page 17 of Rescued Duty

She squealed. “You didn’t.”

“We’ve got to have some fun at a painting party.”

“Oh really?” She stuck out her roller and caught Zack on the arm. “Guess it takes two to have a good time.” Naya laughed.

By the time they’d finished with the first coat of paint, the sun had set, and Naya let out a yawn.

They sealed the paint cans, then Naya headed to the entryway with Zack.

“Thanks for tackling this project with me.”

“You bet.” He flashed a smile, but it disappeared as fast as it’d come. Along with…hope? Naya couldn’t tell. She’d admit having Zack’s company had been nice. But a kind gesture was a far cry from establishing any kind of relationship.

She intended to keep her heart at arm’s length. For her own safety.

Naya opened the door and stepped onto the porch with Zack, who paused on the step.

“I know you said that note was nothing to be worried about, but please be careful.”

For his sake, Naya nodded. “I will.” A light breeze swept by. A shiver slid across her skin, and Naya folded her arms.

Zack walked to his car, then pulled out of the driveway. The single light bulb on the porch shone like a spotlight on her. Giving anyone with the cover of night full visibility of her whereabouts.

Naya shook her head. She was being paranoid now. The note on her car didn’t mean she had a stalker again. Nor would Tucker be staking out near her house right now. The idea sounded absurd.

She squinted and scanned the street. Shadows played off the trees and houses nearby.

Be careful.Zack’s reminder coursed through her mind.

She had nothing to fear. The Lord was faithful to watch over her. But even as she filled her mind with Scripture, she couldn’t shake the tickling of her sixth sense.

Naya pulled in a breath and scurried back inside, then turned the deadbolt. After a quick wiggle of the knob to be certain it was secured, she flicked the switch to turn off the outside lights.

If someone had their eye on her, where were they hiding and why?

SIX

Zack’s mind still reeled with the reminder that someone had their sights set on Naya and they weren’t playing nice. Of course Naya didn’t need him to stand up to anyone on her behalf, but it didn’t change the way he’d kept an eye on the window last night while they’d painted. Just in case anyone decided to make an unwelcome appearance.

Zack stuck his fingers in his mouth and let out a whistle. The shrill pitch bounced off the concrete walls in the empty bay area of the firehouse. “You’ve got thirty seconds to get into that gear.” He gave the orders to the three teen boys who began to suit up. All three had come to him asking for help to get into a summer camp in Montana that taught older teens how to fight wildfires. A lot of them went on to be hotshots and smokejumpers, but Zack planned to convince them to stick around and be local firefighters.

Protect the place where they’d grown up.

And the people who’d raised them.

“Hurry up, slow poke.”

“I’m gonna smoke the rest of you.” The kids bantered through the drill.

Zack smiled. He wanted to instill in them the importance of protecting those they cared about. Also, making sure they stayed out of trouble.

Something he’d failed to do well at their age.

Especially with Naya.

Inevitably his thoughts returned to her.

Naya deserved to be treated with respect. And if it was this ex-boyfriend who’d left the note—what was his name?—Tucker, then he’d better not cross paths with Zack anytime soon.

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