Page 12 of Code Trauma

Maybe...

Or should he try to set things straight while they were alone? But her body language shouted that she might not be super receptive to anything he had to say. So, he stayed quiet and determined just to be there for her for as long as she’d let him.

She followed him to his truck, and he helped her into the passenger seat. “You’re sure you’re okay?”

“I’m sure. For the moment.”

“Let me know if that changes.”

She placed a hand on his arm. “I’m okay, really.”

He drew in a deep breath. “That shook me today. Not because I’m scared of the person doing this, but I’m terrified I won’t be able to stop him from hurting you again.”

Some of her stiffness relaxed and she dropped her hand into her lap. “Well, nothing to do but trust God and stay alert.”

“Right.” He paused, and his fingers spasmed where they rested on her arm. “I ... I’m having a hard time with trusting him right now.”

“I know.” For a moment, her eyes were soft and kind, and he wanted to wrap her up and hold her close, protect her from every bad thing—and person—in the world. Then her gaze chilled once more and she shifted away from him.

He cleared his throat. “How about you trust him, and I help him out if presented with the opportunity?”

She gave a forced laugh, and his heart squeezed. What had he been thinking when he’d pushed this woman away? He should have leaned on her. And God. But Chris?—

Andy shut off the “should haves.”

He closed her door and walked around the truck to slide into the driver’s seat. Seconds later, he pulled out of the townhome parking lot and headed for the highway that would lead them back to the hospital about ten minutes away. “One thing struck me about your break-in,” he said.

“What?”

“There wasn’t any forced entry. Did you leave the door unlocked?”

She frowned. “Of course not.”

“Okay, then could Penny or Raina have given the key to someone?”

“Neither would do that. Not without clearing it with me first.”

“Can you call Penny and ask her?”

She studied him for a moment, her frown deepening, then pulled out her phone and dialed Penny’s number. She put the phone on speaker so he could listen in.

“Holly? I’m so glad you called. Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m with Andy. We were heading back to the hospital. I’m going to stay at base tonight.”

“Okay, why?”

“Someone broke into my house.”

Her gasp echoed over the line. “Broke into your home! Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine, but did you by any chance loan my key to anyone without telling me?”

“No way!”

“I didn’t think so, but Andy insisted I ask.”

“Holly, what’s going on? First the attack in the supply closet and now this?

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