Page 81 of Rescued Faith

“And you would’ve come.”

“No doubt.”

“And lost your job.”

His gaze narrowed. “You’re right. But?—”

“You had another family to look for. I’m just sorry we weren’t able to get another lead on Sosa. The one cell phone we found was smashed in the guy’s pocket from when he hit the floor. But what about you? Any leads on the governor’s wife and son?”

“We’ll get Sosa. And we’re still looking for the governor’s family. But you are family too. I’m just glad you’re safe. And for the record, I think you made the right move blowing off Jason Woods.”

“I doubt he would say so.”

“Your family has to come first. Maybe it’s for the best that you left the ATF. You couldn’t do that as a fed.”

She stuffed her hands in her pockets. “That’s what I keep telling you. Private sector is where it’s at.”

He chuckled as he leaned against the wall, exhaustion etched into his features, in the fine lines framing his eyes.

“How’d the raid at the militia compound go?” Bryce asked.

Jude sighed. “A bust. I mean, we seized some weaponry and explosives, but no sign of the governor’s wife and kid.”

“What now?” Penny needed to get her sister and the kids settled first, but then she would do whatever it took.

“The governor is on his way. While the others keep the search going through the night, I’ve been commanded to go home to get a couple hours of sleep. We’ve been ordered to be back at six a.m. for debriefing.” He pushed off the wall and faced Penny. “Andbefore you ask, until we get their house cleared, you and your family will be staying with Andi and me. I’ve got some friends from the police department that will be on watch outside twenty-four seven.”

Penny was about to protest when Libby came out of the hospital room, a child on each side of her. Jude looked to her. “Your husband should be here tomorrow. I’ll have someone waiting to escort him here from the airport.”

“Thank you.” Libby gave him a tired but grateful smile. She was worn out. They all needed rest.

Penny took Hazel’s hand. “Let’s get you guys settled for the night. You get to have a sleepover at Jude and Andi’s.”

“Pen.” Bryce grabbed her other hand. “We need to talk?—”

“I know. Later.”

His jaw clenched tight, his brown eyes smoldering as they gazed at her. But he nodded and let her hand go, his fingertips brushing hers until the very last second she pulled away.

There was too much to figure out right now. Maybe with space she could think clearly about what to do with her growing attachment to Bryce Crawford. But she needed to see Libby and the kids settled first. Of course, there wasn’t much space, since he followed them to Jude and Andi’s.

Before long, the two kids were in the guest room at the Brookses’ house.

Bryce Crawford was impulsive. Reckless even. But it was in his arms where Penny’d felt the safest she’d ever been. Her nephew adored him. Hazel was half in love with him too as they both cuddled up on either side of him, his long body stretched out on the guest bed as he read them a story. The kids’ eyes drooped, each little blond head resting on Bryce’s capable chest and little hands tucked around his arms.

“He’s the reason you left, isn’t he?”

“Shhh!” Penny spun around to see her sister in the hallway, watching her with a peculiar smile.

Penny walked past her to the living area. Sounds from the kitchen, where Andi was brewing coffee and tea, drifted over.

“Pen, why are you pushing him away? I heard the way you talked to him at the hospital. But he saved your life.” Libby looked at her with an unspoken “duh.”

“You mean when he killed my witness? The one shot I had at finding Sosa and closing this case?” Yeah, it sounded petty, but she needed a handle on this. Something to push back on. Something to remind her she had some semblance of control over her defiant heart.

“I know I was knocked out for a while, but I saw it. That man was going to kill you. Brycesavedyou.”

It was on the verge of her tongue to deny it, to restate that she’d had the situation in hand, but Libby would see through it in a heartbeat. As the internal walls crumbled, everything was leaking out. Maybe this habit of going at it alone was one she needed to break. Because she was definitely seeing more potential in sticking around. And yeah. He had saved her.

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