Jane Godman - Colton 911 - Family Under Fire

Although she had only met Maribelle Colton a few times, Alyssa could picture the scene. “Your mom likes to keep it classy.”

“Always.” He smiled. “The point is, I have a hundred stories about Sean. We kept those challenges going into adulthood, always trying to get the better of each other. But our friendship wasn’t all pranks. There was the time I tumbled into the creek and he jumped in to save me. Or when he fell off a wall and cut his head open, so I rode home with him on my crossbar. He screwed up with the way he treated Casey, but the earlier memories didn’t die.” He looked down at Kennedy. “When he entrusted his child to me, he knew I would be there for her.”

Alyssa bowed her head. In all the years she’d known him, this was the most Everett had ever opened up to her. She’d never understood why he felt the need to conceal his emotions and had spent too many hours wondering whether he was trying to prevent conflict, protect her from hurt, or avoid worrying her. Would things have worked out differently if he’d been able to express his feelings?

She gave a tiny shake of her head. It wasn’t his emotional detachment that had ended their relationship. Everett had been the one to suggest taking things to the next level. He’d asked her to move in with him and Alyssa had acted like a jackrabbit when it heard the cry of a wolf. Dating Agent Everett Colton had been difficult enough. Knowing he went out to work every day and put himself in danger was hard, but she could just about switch off from it and enjoy the time they spent together. If she lived with him, if she was watching the clock, waiting for him to come home at the end of each day…?

“We should get this little one into her crib.” And leave the past where it belongs.

Everett shuffled to the edge of the sofa and got cautiously to his feet. Carrying her as though she was a piece of priceless china, he took the baby through to the master bedroom. Earlier that evening, he had positioned her crib next to the bed, and Alyssa had placed the photograph of Kennedy with her parents on a nearby side table.

After spending a few moments shifting back and forth to find the right position, he lowered her into the crib.

Kennedy made a soft noise of protest and Everett gave Alyssa a look of pure panic. She shook her head and pointed toward the door. Like teenagers sneaking out to a party, they tiptoed from the room.

Alyssa choked back a laugh as she switched on the baby monitor she’d found in one of the boxes. “The look on your face.”

“What do you mean?” he whispered, sneaking a look over his shoulder at the closed bedroom door.

“When you thought Kennedy was about to wake up, your expression reminded me of that time I started choking on my soda.”

“Hey, that was scary. You nearly passed out.” He threw himself down on the sofa, hands linked behind his head, long legs crossed at the ankles.

“It was your fault,” she reminded him. “You made me laugh in midswallow.”

“Yeah. But I wasn’t expecting the whole wheezing, throat-clutching, eyes-watering response.” He gave her a sidelong glance. “You frightened the life out of me.”

“That’s how you looked at Kennedy. She’s a baby, Everett, not a time bomb. She will poop, spit up, drool, put disgusting things in her mouth and likely wake up several times a night.”

“You make it sound like such fun.” He sat up straighter. “I need to talk to you about something other than Kennedy’s bodily functions.”

“Ah.” She sat down next to him. “Is this about why you disappeared today?”

Now it was here, she realized how much she had been dreading this moment. It wasn’t that she believed caring for Kennedy had suddenly catapulted her into a fairy tale. Her early life had convinced her there were no such things as magic wands, golden coaches and glass slippers. And if Prince Charming existed? Well, he’d chosen a life in the FBI, and she was the anxiety-filled princess who couldn’t deal with that.

No, she was realistic enough to know that bringing up a baby would be hard. But she’d have liked more than a few hours to adjust to the idea before things got weird.

He nodded. “A delivery came. It was a Christmas gift for Kennedy.”

She frowned, her brain trying to make sense of what he was saying. “How could anyone have known where she was?”

“Exactly.”

Her first instinct was to rush into the bedroom, wrap Kennedy in a blanket and dash out into the night with her. But where could she take her that would be safer than right here with Everett? He was experienced at protecting people who were at risk. For the first time ever, she saw his job as a blessing instead of a curse.

“Is she in danger?”

“I couldn’t find out who sent it.” He reached across the space between them and covered her hand with his. “I won’t let anything hurt her—or you, Lyss.”

The old term of endearment slipped so naturally from his lips she wasn’t sure he even noticed it. From her perspective, it was soothing. And, goodness, she would take all the comfort she could get right now.

“Do you know have any idea who could have sent it?”

“I don’t have enough information to start speculating.” She sensed he was holding something back. Did he have a suspect in mind? Was there even anything to be suspicious of at this point? She figured he would give her any information she needed to keep Kennedy safe.

“It could have been innocent,” he said.

“You don’t think that.” She turned her head to look at him. His expression was grim.

“No, I don’t.” He heaved a sigh. “When Sean and Delilah died, Georgia made it clear she thought they had been murdered. She also said she wanted to take care of Kennedy.”

“Oh.” She looked down at her hands. “But you said she was in jail because she broke her bail conditions. How could she send the gift if she’s behind bars?”

“I don’t know. But it makes me want to know more about the way Sean and Delilah died.”

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