Page 45 of The Cowboy's Unlikely Love

“I’ll be right here, honey,” Colt said, understanding her uneasiness at being alone with a strange man.

Agent Evans said, “Now start from the beginning and tell me everything that you remember. Every tiny detail. Nothing is too small.”

Colt nodded and closed his eyes. “I heard Taylor scream, and I grabbed my Glock and dove out of bed. I hit the hallway at a run, and when I entered the living room, I saw Gantry and Jared armed and pointing their guns at me.”

“Were the lights on?” Agent Evans asked.

“No, but the front door was open, and the porch light was on so I could see them. Also, there was a bright moon that night, and light from that came through the windows,” he said with his eyes still closed.

“How were they armed?”

“Gantry had a shotgun, and Jared had a large handgun. I don’t know what kind; I didn’t pay attention. But it could sure get the job done.”

The interrogation continued until they reached the point when Gantry had knocked Colt, Taylor, and Shannon unconscious.

When Colt left the conference room, he found Taylor waiting outside. Steve walked up and shook his hand. “Thanks for coming in, you two. Now go on home and try not to worry. I’ll call if anything new comes up, even if it’s something small. I promise.”

Taylor stood up. “Steve, thank you for everything that you’re doing for us. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it—how you’re staying in close contact with us and following up on every lead immediately. You’re amazing, and I want you to know that.” She gave him a quick hug, then stepped back.

Steve grinned broadly. “You’re sure welcome, Taylor, and I’ll keep it up, don’t you worry. Now you go home and get some rest. You look like a breeze could blow you over.”

She smiled. “I’ll do that.”

Before they went home though, they stopped for pizza. It was early in the day, and it didn’t take long for their food to arrive. Colt frowned when he noticed that Taylor had only taken two bites and he’d finished off two whole slices already. He said, “You’ve hardly eaten or had anything to drink since all this happened. Do you believe that will get JJ back?”

She drew her brows together in an angry frown. “Of course I don’t. What an awful thing to ask.”

“Well then you’d better start eating and drinking, or you won’t have any milk left when that little boy comes looking for his momma.” He knew he was being rough on her, but he had to get through to her. This apathy would lead to her losing her ability to breastfeed her son, and he knew that that would break her heart.

Her frown disappeared, and tears sprang to her eyes.

He reached across the table and clasped her hand. “Honey, you’ve just got to try harder. I’m going to order you a big glass of water. I’d like you to try to drink it down and then eat a few bites of that pizza. I know you don’t want it, but you really do need to keep your strength up. Promise me you’ll try.”

She took a deep breath and then blew it out. After wiping the tears from her cheeks, she said in a stronger voice, “You’re right; you’re right about everything. Get the water, and I’ll start eating right now.” She met his gaze, and her eyes were warm and thankful.

He let go of her hand and called the waitress to their table.

Before they left, she’d eaten three slices of pizza and had drunk the entire large glass of water and then had it refilled. He was so proud of her he could burst. That was what real courage looked like.

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