Page 35 of Silver Sanctuary
“What?” Nash’s hand tightened as he tried to rein in his fury.
“There were two men. I didn’t see their faces, but I did see their shoes—big, black military-style boots. One of them kicked me in the back. It hurt so bad I thought I was going to pass out. But I knew if I did, they would kill me.”
“Lace—”
A knock interrupted him. Gazing over his shoulder, Nash watched as Colt walked into the hospital room.
“Nash.” Colt extended his hand out as Nash stood.
“Thanks for coming over. I know there are other deputies on duty tonight, but it means a lot to me that you take care of this.”
“Not happy that I have to be here, but happy that I can help figure out what’s going on. Lacy.” His eyes ran over her face, her neck, down her arms. Nash tensed, waiting for Lacy to shrink back, but she didn’t. In fact, his girl squared her shoulders and sighed.
“Colt.”
“Heard you had a hell of a day.”
She smiled, her eyes clouding over for a second before theyrefocused. Whatever the doctor gave her was clearly starting to work. “Yeah, you could say that. Hey”—she pointed her finger at Colt—“what’s your favorite flower?”
“Uh.” Colt looked at Nash, but he just shrugged.
“I need to know how I can thank you. You seem to always come to help out when I’m in a pickle. I can get all kinds of flowers. Orchids… penio…” Her eyes went wide and she giggled. “Penio… why can’t I say it right?”
“Peonies?” Nash guessed.
“Yeah, those.”
“My favorite flowers are violets, but you don’t have to get me anything. This is my job.” Colt cleared his throat. “And speaking of doing my job, maybe I should get the details of what happened tonight before you start feeling any more effects from what I imagine are some pretty good painkillers.”
“I’m fine.” Lacy sighed. “It's just enough to take the pain away from my bruised-but-not-broken ribs.”
Nash scooped up her hand and gently squeezed.
“Okay. Why don’t you start at the beginning?” Colt prompted.
Nash started listening to Lacy go through the details of her day. How nothing had seemed off. How she’d waited for Nash, but when he’d sent her a message about not being able to make it in, she’d gotten ready for her deliveries that day. Nothing seemed off about those, either—just her weekly trip to the ladies home and a birthday drop off at the local dentist’s office.
“But when I got the last arrangement in the back of my car, someone’s hand grabbed my hair and pushed me to the ground. Whoever it was held me down, while the other one…” Nash’s eyes finally popped off the spot where his fingers were rubbing circles on her leg to see her brushing away a tear.
“Lace.”
“It’s okay.” She raised her head back up. “He held me down while the other one did all this.”
“He?”
“I heard their voices—two men. I can’t be certain… something about their voices was familiar. I can’t remember, but I know it was two men.”
“I’m so sorry this happened.” Colt cleared his throat. “I know you haven’t been getting the warmest reception being back, but I don’t take this lightly. Silver Springs will be a safe place for you and your daughter to live, I’ll see to that.”
Nash stood, reaching out to offer his hand to the deputy. “Thank you, Colt?—”
“All deputies be advised, large-scale fire in progress at thirteen twelve Willowtail Trail. Requesting response from all available Silver Springs’ units. Single-wide mobile home with threat of expansion to surrounding homes.”
“No.” Lacy’s small voice had Nash’s head whipping around, his stomach plummeting as he took in her pale face. Was she in more pain?
“Lace? What’s wrong?”
“Did they just say thirteen twelve? Thirteen twelve Willowtail Trail?”
