Laura Scott - Shattered Lullaby

So why was she reacting to a man who was virtually a stranger?

No clue. And it needed to stop right now.

The stern lecture to herself helped. They entered the store and Matt grabbed a shopping cart. She wove through the aisles, quickly finding the baby items she needed. A glimpse of the prices on the car seats made her grimace.

“They’re so expensive.” She glanced at Matt. “I only have about fifty dollars on me.”

“It’s fine, I have enough to last until my brother brings more. Which one do you think is the best?”

She looked at the various styles, then pointed at the one Jill had purchased. “This one.”

“Okay.” He picked up the box and set it in the cart. “Pick out everything you need for the baby, then we’ll get you a light jacket.”

She wanted to protest, but spring in Wisconsin was unpredictable so she gave in. She picked out two outfits for Rory, a warm zip-up onesie with a hood to cover his head and then a packet of baby wipes. The smallest box of bottles contained six, so she tossed that in the cart, too. Silently counting up what they owed made her stomach clench with worry.

“Women’s clothes are over there,” Matt said, turning the cart in that direction.

“I’ll just get a heavy sweatshirt. No need to pay for a coat.”

“You should get both, just in case.” He apparently wasn’t about to take no for an answer. And he didn’t stop there. After she picked out a navy blue jacket, he pushed the cart over to the sundries and waved a hand. “Get what you need—hairbrush, shampoo, etcetera. I’ll pick up a few things, too.”

She hesitated. “If we’re going to another motel, they’ll provide some of this stuff. No reason to waste your money.”

“We’re not going to a motel,” he countered. “It’s too hard to find the ones that are dog-friendly, and they’re not all willing to take cash, either. Besides, I want you and Rory far away from the area.”

“So where are we going?”

“I have a friend who owns a cabin located about thirty minutes outside the city limits. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s warm, has two bedrooms and a kitchen. It’s the best place I know where we can hide out for a while.”

A cabin sounded nice, if maybe a little too cozy. And since the accommodations sounded better for Duchess, how could she argue? She began filling the cart with the bare essentials. Matt tossed a few items in, too.

The grand total was just as bad as she’d feared, even though many of the items they’d purchased were on sale. She wondered how on earth she’d manage to repay Matt for his kindness.

Matt didn’t seem concerned as he carried everything back out to the SUV. Right in the parking lot, he opened the box and quickly pulled out the infant car seat. Lacy bundled Rory into the new winter onesie and then fastened him into the car seat. Matt took over from there, securing the seat with ease.

“You look as if you’ve done that before,” she said as she slid into the front passenger seat.

He froze for a moment, then shrugged. “A couple of my brothers have kids.”

“A couple?” She fastened her seat belt then looked at him. “How many brothers do you have?”

“Four older brothers and a younger twin sister.” He started the engine and let it run for a moment.

She tried not to gape at him. “Six? There are six of you?”

He pulled out his phone. “Yeah, crazy, huh? Marc is the oldest, and works for the FBI. He and his wife, Kari, are due to have another baby early next month. Miles is the second oldest and works as a homicide detective. He and his wife, Paige, are also expecting in early May. My twin, Maddy, just married my former partner, Noah Sinclair. Mitch, an arson investigator, and Mike, a private investigator, are still single, like me, which is good because we can balance things out.”

All the information he was tossing out about his family made her head spin. And she hadn’t missed the fact that he’d emphasized he was single and not interested in changing his status. Fine with her. “And you’re sure they won’t force you to take me in?”

“I’m sure.” Matt reached over and lightly clasped her hand in his. “Trust me. In our family, Callahans always come first.”

Strangely enough, she did trust him. As she listened to him leaving a message for Miles, she found herself relaxing for the first time since she’d woken up to the sounds of her sister arguing with her husband.

She reached back to place a soothing hand on Rory in his car seat. If Matt was right, and Callahans always came first, then maybe, just maybe, they’d find a way out of this mess.

* * *

Matt pulled out of the parking lot, hoping Miles would return his call soon. He didn’t like thinking about the fact that as a cop, David Williams had access to information like Matt’s cell number and his vehicle license plate number.

Five minutes later, his phone rang. He handed it to Lacy. “Place the call on speaker.” When she’d done that, he quickly answered. “Miles, I need a hand.”

“What’s going on?”

“I need new disposable phones, a laptop computer, a new K-9 vehicle and cash.”

“Anything else?” His brother’s tone was all business. “What about a place to stay?”

“We need to remain off-grid, so I’m planning to head up to Valerie’s father’s cabin. Maybe you could give her a heads-up that I’ll be staying there for a while, just in case she decides to take a trip.”

“We?” Trust his brother to pick up on that slip.

He glanced at Lacy. “I’m keeping a woman and baby safe. There’s already been three attempts to kill them. Honestly? The less you know, the better.”

“Haven’t I always supported you, Matt? I’m not about to turn you in, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

Lacy relaxed in her seat, and he grinned. “I know that, and I trust you, bro. It’s Lacy who’s a bit skittish.”

“Lacy obviously doesn’t know us very well, does she?” Miles paused for a moment, then continued, “Okay, I’ll meet you at Val’s cabin in roughly forty-five minutes.”

“Thanks, Miles. I owe you one.”

“And don’t think I won’t collect. I think a night of babysitting should do the trick.”

Babysitting? He grimaced but reluctantly agreed. “Sure, Abby is a cutie. But let’s do that before the baby is born, okay? I’m not sure I can handle two of them at the same time.”

His brother let out a bark of laughter. “Done. Catch up with you later.”

“I guess the Callahans really do stick together,” Lacy said, a hint of wistfulness in her eyes. “I’m glad.”

He thought about the way she’d lost her sister and knew he’d never rest if someone had murdered one of his siblings. In fact, he’d been secretly trying to investigate his father’s unsolved murder. Max Callahan had been the Milwaukee Chief of Police for almost five years before his death. He’d been shot when he’d gone out to visit the scene of a crime. Matt continued to be angry and upset that the perp was still at large.

But right now, he had to remain focused on keeping Lacy and Rory safe. He headed toward his college friend’s cabin, using side streets and lesser known highways to avoid the interstate.

Because he’d taken the longer route, he reached the cabin a few minutes before Miles. Matt took a moment to make sure they could get inside, using the key that was hidden in the bottom of a bird feeder. The door creaked open. While it was a little dusty, the interior looked just the way he remembered. He returned to the SUV and let Duchess out before carrying Rory’s car seat inside, so the baby would have something to sit in. Lacy followed on his heels, bringing in the rest of their things. Duchess ran around for a bit, exploring the area before making her way back to the cabin. She barked, and he crossed over to let her in, taking a minute to check out her wound. Thankfully, it still looked good.