Elizabeth Heiter - K-9 Defence

Ignoring the little voice in her head reminding her what had happened when she insisted on driving to Colter’s place in this weather, Kensie shook her head. “I want to try today. I need some good news right now.”

“He might not have any.”

“I know,” Kensie said over the lump that had risen in her throat. She swallowed the discomfort back. She had to stay positive.

If she didn’t keep searching for her sister, who would?

“All right,” the woman agreed with a deep frown that told Kensie she didn’t approve. But she drew a map and explained it three times.

Kensie thanked her, then headed back into the cold. She eyed the clothing store down the street, wondering if they’d have better winter gear, then looked up. The sun was hanging low, casting beautiful shades of red and orange across the sky. If she wanted to talk to the owner and get back to her hotel before it got dark, she needed to go now.

A tap on her shoulder made Kensie jump.

The man standing there backed up a step as she turned to face him. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”

He was almost as tall and muscular as Colter. Almost as good-looking too, with jet-black hair and chocolate-brown eyes. Kensie lowered her arms.

“I heard you talking to Talise.” She must have looked perplexed, because he added, “In the grocery store. You’re looking for Jasper’s General Store?”

Kensie nodded, clutching the hand-drawn map she still wasn’t completely certain she could follow.

“I can take you if you want. My truck’s right over there.” He pointed to a massive vehicle parked in front of hers.

It was probably much more solid in the snow than her rental, but what did she know about this guy? Back home, she’d never get into a truck with a stranger. Of course, back home, she never would have driven out to a stranger’s cabin, either.

Because even though a little voice in her head kept insisting she and Colter had a connection, the reality was that she didn’t know him.

As if reading her thoughts, the guy stuck out his hand. “I’m Danny Weston. Former military just like your friend Colter.” He gave her a big, crooked, boyish-looking grin. “Although Colter was Marines. I was Air Force. Grunts versus high flyers. Just kidding,” he added as she took his hand.

It closed loosely around her own, as if he was afraid to hurt her as he shook. Then he gave her a firm shake anyway. Must have been a military thing.

Kensie had an internal debate. She didn’t know Danny, but she didn’t know Colter, either. And that had turned out fine. Besides, this was about her sister. If it wasn’t for me, Alanna never would have been kidnapped . Kensie nodded to Danny. “Yeah, that would be great. Thank you.”

“Sure.” He led her over to the massive vehicle and held open the passenger door. “We can talk to old Jasper and then I’ll have you back here in an hour, before it gets dark.”

The last of her doubts fled as she settled into the comfortable passenger seat. “That sounds perfect.”

Danny smiled at her again, then slammed the door shut and ran around to the driver’s side. He started up the engine and was just stretching his seatbelt across his lap when the driver’s door was ripped open and he went flying out of the truck.

Surprise and panic shot through her as Kensie’s gaze darted to the perpetrator. Colter.

“Get out of the truck now!” Colter yelled at her, his voice deep and commanding. Rebel stood beside and slightly behind him, teeth bared.

The panic intensified. She fumbled with her seatbelt as Danny climbed to his feet. She tried to open the door, but there was no door handle on the inside, just an empty space where it should have been.

Kensie shoved at the door, but nothing happened. She launched herself across the bench seat, straight toward Danny.

He was squaring off, facing Colter, as though he was about to take a swing. But across the street, people were starting to come out of businesses, maybe because they’d heard Colter’s yell.

Danny paused, and while she still could, Kensie shoved herself out of the truck. Her body brushed past him and he started to turn toward her.

Her heart was pounding out of control, her limbs heavy and awkward in her fear. Then Colter’s hand closed around hers, pulling her first to him and then shoving her behind him. The fear shifted, no longer for her own safety.

Two men who’d come out of the hardware store were slowly walking their way. Talise stood outside with a cell phone to her ear and her eyes on the police station down the road.

She knew Colter was strong from the way he’d practically lifted her off her feet just now, but with his bad leg, would Danny hurt him? Kensie’s whole body began to shake as she glanced back toward the police station, willing officers to come outside.

“Drive away while you still can,” Colter said in a low, menacing tone that sent shivers up her arms.

Rebel crouched low on her haunches and took a slow step forward, growling deep in her throat.

Danny took one last glance at the approaching townspeople, then gave Rebel a nervous look. He let out a string of nasty curses directed at Colter. Then he jumped in the truck and pulled away so fast she and Colter had to leap backward to avoid being hit.

As soon as Danny was gone, Colter spun toward her. The fury on his face was unlike anything she’d ever seen. His jaw was hard, his lips turned out in a near snarl. His eyes were narrowed into furious slits. But he took a deep breath and the tension disappeared, his face smoothing back into what seemed to be his default—not happy and mild, but serious and steady.

Next to him, Rebel straightened, then sat, as if nothing had happened.

“I’ll help you,” he told her.

“What?” She was almost more shocked than when he’d pulled Danny out of his truck.

“On one condition.”

“Okay.”

“It’s just me, Kensie. You don’t get into some random jerk’s truck. That guy—” He broke off, blowing out a breath, then finished. “ I help you and no one else.”

The fear that had filled her a moment ago drained away, leaving her exhausted. But a smile built up inside. This was what she needed. This was who she needed. Colter was her best chance to change everything that hurt in her life.

He held out a hand. “We have a deal?”

Kensie placed her hand in his, liking the way his fingers closed solidly over hers, as if he knew she was strong enough not to be crushed. “Deal.”

Danny Weston had nearly kicked his ass.

Colter shoved down the embarrassment and tried to be thankful for the show of support from the townspeople. Despite the fact that he’d been here almost a year, the people of Desparre barely knew him. But they probably knew Danny. And what they knew, he was pretty sure they didn’t like.

On a good day, Colter could take a guy like Danny down with ease. But it had been a long time since he’d had a good day. He knew his limitations and, right now, his leg was screaming at him.

It was a small price compared to the one his brothers had paid, but it stung to be so useless in a situation he should have been able to handle himself. Some badass Staff Sergeant he was.

Of course, he wasn’t a military man at all anymore, except in his mind.

Turning around and heading back into town after he’d dropped Kensie off had been a fluke. A nagging sense that he’d regret it if he didn’t help her look for her sister, even if he had no idea where to start.

He glanced at her now, absently petting Rebel from the seat beside him. Her lips were clenched in a tight line and her head was bowed slightly, as though Desparre was beating her. She’d barely said a word since she’d followed him back to his truck, but she’d done a poor job of hiding her shaking.