Her Baby's Protector

Rachel smiled. “I know what you mean.”

“I’m so glad I have you to help.” Without her husband, she’d felt so lost and grief-stricken until her nanny was hired. Kate hoped this problem didn’t drive Rachel away. “When this is over with, I’m going to rearrange my schedule so you can have a vacation, my treat.”

“Really? Thanks! My brother moved to Seattle a few months back, and I’ve wanted to see that area of the country.”

“Are you close to your brother?”

“We were growing up but not now. Too many miles between us. We chat on the computer, but it isn’t the same.”

“I know what you mean.” She again glanced at her watch. “Maybe I’ll take Jamie to Florida to my mom’s and grandmother’s.” Hiding from a possible intruder caused her to reevaluate her priorities. She loved her job, but it wasn’t the most important thing in her life. God and her family were. She was all Jamie had and vice versa.

When her phone rang, the sound startled her and Kate jumped. Jamie opened his eyes for a few seconds then went back to sleep while she answered the call.

“Is everything clear?” she asked Chase.

“Except for a rock in the living room, yes. Todd and I have gone through the rooms downstairs. I’ll be there shortly. You still okay?”

“Yes, especially now.”

When she ended the call, she peered at Rachel, tense and intent. “It doesn’t look like anyone got inside. All they’ve found is a rock thrown through the window.”

Putting her hand over her heart, her nanny wilted, finally relaxing against the side of the tub.

“Remind me to call the alarm company tomorrow,” Kate said.

“Believe me, I will. You don’t think the rock was a prank, do you? There are a couple of teenage boys who get a little rowdy in the neighborhood.”

Rachel often took Jamie to a small park nearby and would end up talking with other nannies. “Have you heard of any others having a rock thrown at their house?”

Rachel scrunched her forehead. “Well, no, not exactly. More like tossing water balloons then running away.”

A moment later, there was a knock on the door. “Kate, it’s Chase. It’s all clear.”

“Now that’s music to my ears,” she said loud enough for him to hear.

Rachel climbed out of the tub then lifted Jamie into her arms while Kate rose.

“Please make sure Jamie goes down, then get some sleep yourself.” Kate went first, unlocked the door and opened it.

The first thing she saw was Chase’s smile. She had to fight the urge to hug the police detective. “Thank you for coming so fast.”

“What else could I do? I’ve never been someone’s 9-1-1 call.” His grin widened.

“I’m hoping that’s my last one.” But she didn’t want it to be the last time she saw him. The thought surprised her. Since James’s death, all she’d done was work and be the best mom she could. She neither needed nor wanted another relationship in her life...right?

Rachel nodded at Chase while she scurried toward Jamie’s bedroom.

When her nanny and son were gone, she started for the stairs. “Show me where the rock came in.”

“It’s in the living room.” He gave her the key he’d used. “My partner has some wood we can put over the window for a temporary fix.”

“Who’s your partner?” she asked at the bottom of the steps.

“Todd Grayson. He helped me clear the house. Two patrol officers are outside—one in the back and the other in the front.” As Kate entered the living room, Chase quickly added, “Watch your step—I haven’t processed the scene yet.”

She assessed the damaged window, the glass littering the floor and the good-size rock. “What are you hoping to find?”

“Maybe fingerprints from the rock. I know you don’t have any video surveillance, but do any of your neighbors have cameras?”

“I don’t know. Tomorrow I’ll be getting cameras added for security, but I’m not sure what to do until then.”

“If you want, when my partner comes back, I’ll go home and bring Mac over now then stay the rest of the night.”

“But what about your sleep?”

“I can stretch out on the couch. It’ll give me a chance to talk to your neighbors first thing in the morning. Is Jamie all right? Did he sleep through it?”

“He woke up, but I was able to get him to go back to sleep.” His presence calmed her nerves. “Did you find anything at Zed Hammer’s house?”

“No, but we still have the garage to finish. We were partway through the search when you called. Todd told me he would go back and finish after we take care of your window.”

“I’m going to make a pot of coffee. Do you want any?”

“Sounds good. I see my partner returning. We’ll be on the porch nailing up the board then I’ll go get Mac.”

“Does your partner drink coffee?”

“Yes, black, no sugar, just like me.”

Kate paused in the hallway and looked back at Chase leaving out the front door. Lord, thank You for sending Chase. Please watch over Jamie. He’s all I have.

* * *

Chase drove into his garage, downed the last of his lukewarm coffee from Kate and climbed from his SUV. When he entered his kitchen, Mac greeted him, his tail wagging. He quickly fed him and gathered up his dog’s supplies to take to Kate’s place. Then, while Mac ate his late dinner, Chase hurried and took a shower then changed into jeans and a long-sleeve T-shirt.

As he walked back to the kitchen, he passed through the living room and realized there were only a few personal touches in his house. Nothing like Kate’s, which was full of pictures of Jamie from a small baby to the present. The majority of her rooms had some kind of evidence a toddler lived in the home, from toys to a horse on wheels to the plug covers and padding on sharp furniture corners that she must have added to baby proof the house. Definitely her home had the lived-in feel while his was a notch above a hotel suite.

After gathering what he needed to take to Kate’s, he headed for his SUV and opened the back door for Mac. His dog barked once, excited about being in the car. Adopting Mac had been the only thing he’d done for himself since he returned to Cimarron City, and he wouldn’t have even done that if a friend hadn’t needed him to take the guard dog because he was moving overseas. His sterile lifestyle had kept him focused on his job and helping others. He wanted his survival to count for something.

When he arrived at Kate’s and parked in her driveway, he scanned the house and street as he and his German shepherd made their way to the porch. He used her spare key she’d given back to him to let himself in, making his way toward the kitchen where he’d left Todd and Kate.

Soft, feminine laughter along with his partner’s robust laugh drifted to Chase as he neared the room. Mac’s ears perked at the sounds.

When Chase entered, Kate passed her cell phone to Todd. “This was Jamie’s attempt at climbing the bookcase. Thankfully he only got to the second shelf before I discovered him. I left for a minute to get a book.”

“He moves fast. That’s what Sammy does. The second my wife and I take our eyes off him, he’s into something he shouldn’t be. I can’t wait until he grows out of this inquisitive stage.”

“I’ve read that might be years away.” Kate’s gaze lit upon Chase.

Todd groaned. “Don’t tell me that. I just found out Peggy is pregnant with our second child.” He twisted around and peered at Chase.

“I sent a patrol officer to keep an eye on Hammer’s place until I could finish the search, so as much as I’ve enjoyed our little conversation, I need to get over there. I’ll let you know if I find anything, Chase.”

“Thanks for helping.” Kate rose. “Do you want any more coffee to take with you?”

“Yes, I’d like that.”

“Chase, how about you?”

“Sounds great. Can you come down to the police station and fix that every day for us? Yours is actually drinkable.”

Kate refilled a paper coffee cup for Todd and handed it to him.

His partner grinned. “I’ll lock the door as I leave.”

Kate gave Chase his drink, then turned her attention to Mac. Holding her hand for the dog to smell, she said, “You’re beauti—I mean, handsome, Mac.”

Chase introduced Kate to his pet, then unhooked his leash and told him to sit and stay. “I’ll be right back. I’m going to do a quick walk through downstairs to make sure everything is still locked up.”

“I’ll check the kitchen. Can I pet Mac?”

“Yes. I’ve let him know that you’re a friend.”

When he returned to the kitchen, Kate had seated herself in a chair near Mac and was petting him. Boss was on a chair asleep as if a strange dog in his house didn’t mean anything.

She glanced up. “After making sure the kitchen was secured, I sat and tried to entice him to come to me. He didn’t move so I did.”

“He’s well-trained. He doesn’t respond to others giving him commands unless I work with you to do that.”

“So if a burglar came in, he wouldn’t stay put just because the intruder said to?”

“Right.” He took a seat at the table. “You can go to bed if you want. You’ll be safe tonight. The alarm is back on, everything is locked and Mac and I are here.”

“I’m going to when I finish this coffee.”

“It doesn’t keep you up?”

She shifted around to face him. “No. Caffeine doesn’t affect me like other people. I drink way too much, but I love the taste. One of my bad habits I need to do something about.”

Chase chuckled. “If that’s considered a bad habit, then I have more than I thought.” He gave Mac the hand signal to rest by his chair. “But in my case, caffeine does keep me up. I figure I can sleep tomorrow after you’re taken care of.”

“So you don’t want a blanket and pillow?”

“No. I might close my eyes, but I won’t fall asleep. You should go ahead and rest. I’ll be fine.”

“Are you sure? You’ve gone above and beyond the call of duty.”

“I’ll do anything for a home-cooked meal. Your Mexican chicken was delicious.”

Kate tried to suppress a yawn but couldn’t. “Then tomorrow you can’t leave until I’ve fixed you a full breakfast. I love to cook.”

“You’re not getting an argument from me. I usually eat out so that’ll be a treat.”

Kate’s eyelids slid halfway down.

“Go to bed before you fall asleep talking to me. I have a bum leg. I might not be able to carry you upstairs.”

Her eyes popped open wide. “I’m okay.” She covered her mouth and yawned again. “I’m going to bed.”

He walked with her to the staircase.

On the first step, she turned. “I noticed when you ran after my attacker today that you were limping when you came back. What happened to your leg?”

For a few seconds he scrambled for what to say. He didn’t talk about that last ambush with anyone. Then he stared into her beautiful eyes, and the words just came out. “I was shot while serving in the Marines.” Then to play it down, he shrugged and added. “It happens in a war zone, but I’m fine now. It only acts up when I push myself too much.”

“I’m sorry that happened today.”

He needed to shut down this conversation now. “I’m sorry that you were attacked today.” He grasped her hand. “Go to sleep. See you in a few hours.” When he released her hand, he missed touching her.

He distanced himself from her and watched her ascend the staircase. At the top, she glanced over her shoulder at him and smiled. When she disappeared from the landing, he stared at the place where she’d been seconds ago.

What is it about Kate that intrigues me?

He patted the side of his leg. “C’mon, Mac. We should try to relax at least.”

As he entered the living room, his cell phone rang, and he quickly answered the call from his partner. “Did you find anything in the garage?”

“More than enough to arrest Hammer when we find him.”

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