Page 8 of Saving Salem
“Guess that answered that question, huh?”
Gabi shrugged. “You deserved worse. How could you not tell me the Amirs are after Chloe? You know I’m not going to let that happen. Nobody’s taking my goddaughter away, especially not that crazy family.”
Hooking her elbow with Gabi’s, Salem allowed herself to be led into the diner and back toward one of the booths in the corner. She was kind of glad to be tucked away, out of the spotlight. Ever since she’d arrived in Shiloh Springs, it felt like everybody’s attention was on her twenty-four hours a day. Not in a bad way, because she knew they did it because they cared, and knew she was in trouble—again—but sometimes it got to be a little much.
After a waitress came and took their lunch orders, Gabi leaned back against the padded vinyl. “Alright, I’ve got the gist of what’s going on. Now, tell me the details. Aunt Patti told me Chance has some hotshot lawyer in Dallas looking into what the Amirs are trying to do.”
Salem nodded. “Her name is Ivy McNamara-Barnes. She agreed to take the case, and she’s already found out the Amirs are planning to sue Rafe and the county for everything that happened with Tarik. A civil case because they can’t sue for murder. They’ve already been cleared by the state after a full investigation. So, they’re planning on suing for wrongful death.”
Gabi snorted. “Wrongful death? Girl, they have no idea how righteous Tarik’s death was. He held a loaded gun onme.And trust me, he would have used it too. The look in his eyes when he threatened to take you away in the middle of that thunderstorm? I still get nightmares.”
“Chance says they don’t have a leg to stand on when it comes to the shooting.” Salem paused, her fingers tearing aimlessly at the paper napkin in front of her. “Can’t say the same about Chloe’s case, though.”
“Nobody in their right mind would take a child away from a loving home and give her to strangers. The Amirs have never even seen Chloe.”
“I’d like to think so, but they are going to try.” Salem looked Gabi in the eye. “I’m scared. You know what it’s like now; you’re a mother. Just the thought of somebody taking my baby away, moving her halfway around the world? You don’t know what it was like living with the Amirs. Picturing my child being brought up surrounded by Tarik’s family?” Fat tears rolled down her cheeks and she grabbed another paper napkin from the dispenser, swiping angrily at the wetness.
Gabi grabbed her hand, squeezing it hard. “Stop. Just stop right now. Nobody is taking Chloe. You’ve got everybody working to keep that from happening. Dad said he’s putting out feelers, and he’s got connections in places you can’t even imagine. Samuel Carpenter has all his available people working on digging up all the information they can about the Amir family. You’ve got Chance and this Ivy person working the legal angles. Aunt Patti and Uncle Douglas are making sure nobody steps foot onto the ranch, so Chloe is physically safe. And you’ve got me. I’ll fight tooth and nail to keep you both out of the Amirs’ hands. Even if it means moving you down to Costa Rica to Dylan’s property there.”
Salem smiled at the vehemence in Gabi’s words, as well as the offer of her husband’s cabin in the jungles outside a small village in Costa Rica. While she appreciated the gesture, she couldn’t picture herself in an unincorporated place like that. She was a city girl, born and bred, and had no idea how to manage living without modern-day conveniences like running water and electricity. No shopping malls or grocery stores? No indoor plumbing? How was she expected to function in those kinds of primitive conditions?
“Thank you. Hopefully, it won’t come to that. Chance, Rafe, and Jack seem to think we’re okay for now at the ranch.”
“Jack? You mean Jack Sutton, Rafe’s friend with the Texas Rangers?”
Salem nodded, feeling a wash of heat flood her cheeks. “Yes. He was at the Big House when I got there.” At Gabi’s huge grin, Salem shook her head. “Don’t. Just don’t.”
“Come on, Salem. You know he likes you. He always seemed to be around when you came to visit Aunt Patti. And Rafe says he’s one of the good ones. Plus, he’s H.O.T.”
“Even if I was interested—which I’m not—thinking about dating right now is off the table.”
“At least admit you might be interested if this whole situation with Tarik’s family disappeared. Jack’s good looking, right?”
Salem pictured Jack’s ruggedly handsome face, broad shoulders, and sexy forearms with just a light dusting of hair and felt a tingle race down her spine. He was oh so very much her type—tall, dark, and handsome with a bit of mystery. But she hadn’t dated anyone since Tarik, and honestly didn’t know if she would ever be able to trust a man enough to consider opening herself up again.
Before Salem could say anything, she spotted Antonio and Heath Boudreau coming through the front door of Daisy’s. The shrouded expression on Antonio’s face told her more than words something had happened. Not waiting for them to reach their booth, she slid from the bench and stood, her insides turning to jelly.
“Is it Chloe? Is she okay?”
“Chloe is fine. But we need to go.” Antonio pulled out his wallet and tossed a couple of twenties onto the table. “Let’s head over to Rafe’s office.”
Gabi stood next to Salem and grabbed her hand. “I’m coming too.”
Heath smiled and ruffled Gabi’s hair. “Figured as much, squirt.”
She rolled her eyes and ducked out from beneath his hand. “Quit it.”
Daisy walked over and nodded toward Salem and Gabi. “How about I box up their food, and I’ll bring them over to Rafe’s office? That way they don’t miss lunch. Can I fix y’all anything to go?”
“Great idea. Four bacon cheeseburgers, two with fries and two with onion rings. Thanks, Daisy, appreciate it.” Antonio pulled out two more twenties and handed them to her.
“No problem. You know I’m always willing to help out, if you need anything.” She paused a moment, and some unspoken message passed between her and Antonio. “I do mean anything.” With a quick grin, she picked up the two twenties on the table and headed back to the kitchen. Salem was grateful she was getting her lunch, even if it was to go, because she was starving. But from the look on Antonio’s face, she had a sinking feeling in her stomach that she might be losing her appetite.
It took only a couple minutes to walk from the diner to the sheriff’s office. Salem noted right away how quiet everything was. The front desk where Sally Anne usually sat was empty. No phones rang to disturb the eerie silence. With every step a sense of foreboding enveloped her, until she felt like she was going to jump out of her own skin.
Rafe walked out into the hallway and motioned for them to come back. She couldn’t help noting he looked tired, like he hadn’t slept, and hoped she wasn’t the cause of his sleeplessness. It was a feeling she was intimately familiar with over the last couple days. Ever since she’d gotten the legal papers from Tarik’s family, she’d barely slept. Too worried about Chloe and thoughts of losing her.
“Hey, Cousin.” Gabi leaned in and kissed Rafe’s cheek, and he wrapped an arm around her waist when she pulled back.
