A Time to Protect (20 page)

“Bren, we got a call from the hospital,” Darcy told him. “They’re begging for Mrs. Tanner to come in and help. You’ve seen the TV?”

“I saw. But I thought they didn’t want her there while—”

“Apparently they’re swamped and desperate for nurses. I said I’d let her know. They didn’t give a shift or anything. Just said the sooner the better.”

“I’ll ask her. Kids okay?”

“Home safe and sound. We’re sampling those cinnamon buns Chloe left behind. Man, that woman can cook!”

“I’ve noticed.” He patted his stomach, remembering the sticky sweetness of those feather-light rolls. “Okay, I’ll get her decision and call you back.”

“Roger that.”

“Is something wrong?” Chloe stood beside him, eyes wide with fear.

“Nothing’s wrong with Madison and Kyle. They’re at home, eating the cinnamon rolls. It’s something else.” He chose his words carefully. “A bunch of drug overdoses arrived at the hospital. Teenagers. The hospital wanted to know if you could come in. They’re swamped apparently.”

“Of course. Let’s go home now so I can change.” She rubbed her temple. “This wig is beginning to bug me anyway. It would be a relief to get it off.”

“Not ’til we get home. The computer?” He glanced at the eager salesman.

“I’m taking it. Kyle will love it.”

Once the transaction was finished they notified their security escort then left the store. The drive home was slower than usual because of the amount of traffic and the thick wet snow that had fallen, melted and was now freezing on the highway thanks to the drop in temperature. Brendan took his time, moving carefully between the lanes, always conscious of who was around him. He knew it was paranoia, no one had guessed who they were. But just the same, he’d rather get Chloe home safely.

Madison burst into laughter as soon as she saw them, which brought Kyle from his room. Soon he was roaring, too. “You look older than your dad,” he giggled as Brendan peeled off his white mustache. “Where’s your cane?”

“About to meet your backside,” he growled, striving for an ogre-type look.

“Look at Mom.” Madison clutched her sides, her face red with laughter. “Isn’t she a beauty?” She laughed even harder when Chloe slid out of her granny boots and the thick wool coat that hid her shape.

“You’re cruel children who don’t deserve to eat cinnamon rolls.” Chloe freed herself from the wig. “Here I’ve spent my entire afternoon thinking about Christmas gifts for you and all you can do is to tease me. Good thing I didn’t actually buy anything, isn’t it?” she asked, winking at Brendan.

“Very good thing,” he agreed, knowing perfectly well where her gifts were hidden in the garage. “To think of the torture we put ourselves through just to be laughed at by these kids.”

“We’ll be good, promise.” Kyle stood in front of his mother. “Did you look at computers, Mom? Did you see the one I want?”

“Computers? Two old fogies like us? Don’t be daft, boy.” Brendan sat down at the table to replace his boots with shoes. He glanced at Chloe. “I’m ready when you are.”

“Ready for what?” Kyle demanded.

“The hospital needs your mom to come in for a few hours to work.” Brendan saw the mirth on their faces die away.

“But we’re decorating our tree tonight. You can’t miss that, Mom.” Madison grabbed her mother’s hand as if to beg.

“We’ll do it tomorrow night.” With her free hand, Chloe dragged a brush through her hair, working out the kinks until the auburn mass fell in a silky swath down her back. “I can’t just walk away, Maddy. I have to help if I can.”

“But, Mom! The Christmas concert at school is tomorrow night.” Her bottom lip wobbled. “Aren’t we going to have a Christmas tree this year?”

“Of course we are, honey.” Chloe crouched down to comfort her daughter. “I promise you we’ll have a lovely tree for our Christmas. But we just can’t do it tonight. What you can do, if Darcy agrees, is to bring all the boxes of decorations from downstairs and check the lights. That’s if your homework is done.”

Madison agreed none too happily, and Chloe disappeared upstairs to change. When she returned her beautiful hair was scraped back off her face and confined to what Madison called a scrunchie.

They left shortly after, a plain black car following them as they crept over the ice-glazed streets. Brendan needed every resource he could muster to negotiate the treacherous streets but he glanced occasionally at Chloe to make sure she was all right.

“Your seat belt is buckled, isn’t it?” he asked as they skidded across black ice for the second time in ten minutes.

“Nice and tight. I wish I didn’t have to bring you out in this.”

“All in the line of duty, ma’am,” he joked, then eased his foot onto the brake and watched helplessly as a car slid through the intersection, its lights cutting through the darkness. “Hang on,” he yelled, knowing there was no way to avoid the collision.

It was like watching life pass by in slow motion as the lights drew ever nearer. Brendan had only one last minute to wonder if the driver had hit the gas by mistake before the vehicle plowed into his side and sent them spinning across the glassy road into the ditch. At the last second, the tires grabbed something on the shoulder that sent the vehicle toppling over. His head smacked the side window then the steering wheel before his airbag deployed and the vehicle bounced down the embankment like popcorn.

“Chloe,” he called out, reaching out with one arm. He felt her fingers touch his a second before the car rolled again and everything went dark.

C
hloe huddled against the seat, constrained by her seat belt. The car gave one last shudder then settled on all four tires. She drew in a breath, carefully gauging her responses. She was all right, thanks to the airbag.

Brendan! Pushing away the airbag material, she loosened her seat belt and wiggled across the seat. He was lying with his head thrown back. Blood seeped from two gashes on his forehead. She called him once, twice. He was unconscious.

She was alone.

Chloe peered out the window. The whole world was a skating rink, a madman was out to kill her, and she sat here in the dark, Brendan hurt, with no way to get help. Frustration chewed at her. She remembered he had a phone and began to search his jacket pocket. A noise stopped her. She closed her eyes, concentrated on the sound. That soft crackle could only be footsteps on the icy snow—and they were getting louder.

They were coming for her! She glanced at Brendan, knew he couldn’t be her protector now. Oh, God, help!

I’m here.

Chloe looked around to see who’d spoken, realized the voice was in her head.

“God? Are You really there?” That same soft rush of peace
filled her soul. “Can You help me, God? Keep me safe? Can you send someone?”

The footsteps faded then grew louder again. She thought she heard voices. One word filled her brain.
Hide
. Chloe slid across the seat and folded herself into the small space under the dashboard, trying to hide those portions of her white uniform that might catch the light and alert whoever was out there that she was here.

Her side of the vehicle was nearest the road. A small beam of light flashed over the passenger side, tried her door. It didn’t open. She heard a mutter of something then the crunch of footsteps started again.

They’ll kill me. Please help me, God.

A moment later that white flicker of light pierced the glass, this time on Brendan’s side, illuminating his mussed hair and the trickle of blood that ran down past his cheek. Someone tried the door handle.

Please help me.

The door flew open. A man with brown hair leaned in. “Brendan?”

Chloe gasped.

Immediately he saw her, took in her hiding position. “Are you all right?” Her fear must have been obvious because he smiled. “I’m Rafael Wright. I live in the same building as Brendan.”

Chloe wasn’t sure whether she could believe those soft brown eyes. The drug cartel was Latin based. This man had definite Latino roots. Her fingers crept up the door, felt for the handle. It wouldn’t work!

“Can you just tell me if you’re okay? If you are, then I need to check on Bren. He looks a little worse for wear.” All the while he talked, his fingers were checking vital signs.

“His breathing is pretty good,” she replied. “He has two cuts but I don’t think there’s anything serious. He must have knocked his head against the wheel before the bag went off.”

“Good thing he’s got a hard head, then, isn’t it?” He pointed
to the top of the embankment. “If you’re still worried, check up there. I called the cops before I came down here. Figured we’d need help when I saw your pal poking around here.”

“My pal?” The flash of blue-and-red over the snow had ushered in a sense of calm that was immediately lost in his comment. “What pal?”

“There was a guy down here before me. Didn’t you see him?” A groan from Brendan drew his attention. “Hey, buddy. Take it easy. You’re okay.”

“Hey, Rafael. Where’s Chloe?” Brendan lifted one hand to touch his injured head. “Is she all right?”

“She looks pretty good to me.” Rafael grinned and indicated to Chloe, who, feeling rather silly crouched in such an awkward position, moved onto the seat. “You might want to consider side airbags next time you buy. Can you walk?”

“I’m fine. Just a bump.” He struggled to get out of the vehicle.

“Whoa, hang on, buddy. What’s the rush? We’ve got to get you free of this wreck.” He looked at Chloe. “Can you undo him?”

She slid the buckle free then climbed out beside Brendan, sliding her shoulder under his arm. “I’ll help you.”

“Gotta get out of here. Too open. Where’s the escort?”

“Their car was totaled. You left a trail of destruction behind you, buddy. You’ll see when we get to the top. Now go easy. No point in breaking a neck, too.”

By the time they made it up the embankment, the road was swarming with police, tow trucks, ambulances. Damaged cars littered the road. Sam Vance was talking to his cousin Michael. Both rushed over to help, leaving Chloe to survey the area. It was impossible to tell if someone was watching her but standing out here like this she felt exposed, alone.

“Come on, Mrs. Tanner. Into the car, please.” Sam drew her into a big rough vehicle. “This is Rafael’s. It’s a four-wheel drive. He’ll be able to get you two to the hospital. Are you all right?”

“I’m fine. Brendan’s hurt, though.”

“What happened?”

“Someone ran into us. Deliberately.” She was shaking. No matter how hard she tried to stop it, her hands trembled. Chloe stuck them under her thighs. “That man, Rafael, said he saw someone. You should talk to him.”

“I will. Thanks.” Sam studied her, hands in his pocket. “I’d say someone was watching out for you two tonight, Mrs. Tanner. If you had to go off this road, this is the best place to do it. That you can walk away is a testament to God’s power.”

“I think so, too,” she whispered, remembering that feeling with awe. God had answered. She’d asked for help and He’d sent Rafael.

“Time’s up, Sam. We’ll leave the ambulances for those who need them most but Chloe needs to get to the hospital.”

“So do you.”

Brendan shrugged. “They can check us out there. You can ask her all the questions you want once she’s safely inside.” Brendan was all business as he surveyed the scene. He pushed past the detective. His gaze met hers. “You’re all right?”

She nodded. “Can we please get out of here?” she whispered.

He called Rafael and, after promising Sam he’d file a report later, they left, Rafael carefully easing in and out of the mess of wrangled cars. “The hospital’s going to be chaotic after this,” Rafael said, shaking his head.

“Yes.” She couldn’t say any more. She was too busy thinking about that answered prayer. Her prayer. Her answer. Did she dare trust Him?

“I can’t thank you enough, Rafael. I don’t know what we’d have done.”

“Save it, man. You’d have done the same. Let me know when you want to leave and I’ll take you home. I’ll hang around for a while, see if there’s something I can do.” Rafael dropped them off, and left to park his vehicle.

Inside the hospital chaos seemed to rule, though Chloe knew
it only looked that way. She rode up in the elevator, protesting that Brendan needed to have someone look at him.

“I’ve had a concussion—I know what it feels like. This isn’t it. I knocked myself out, that’s all. Probably deserved it. Go ahead and do what you need to. I’ll be right here.”

“Chloe? What are you doing here?” Katherine Montgomery paused in the middle of changing an IV.

“I was called in. They said you had a bunch of drug cases.” She looked around, surprised by the relative calm of the unit. “Where are they?”

“Most of them have been released. Nothing too serious, thankfully. We kept two for observation.” Katherine frowned. “Nobody told me you were coming in, but since you’re here, I’ll head downstairs to help. There’s no need for all of us to be here.”

“Sure. Not a problem.” Chloe listened to her report, waved her goodbye, then met Brendan’s look. She blinked as Katherine’s words sunk in. “They didn’t call me, did they?” she whispered. She’d been set up.

Brendan dragged out his phone. “No, they set the trap and I took you right into it. How stupid can I be? If it hadn’t been for Rafael, they’d have—”

“I thought you were the one who said you had to trust God.” She glanced over the charts to see what needed doing next. “I’d say He worked it out very well. We’re here and we can help. What’s wrong with that?”

He stared at her. “Nothing, I guess.”

“I’m going to change the mayor’s drip.” She smiled at his bemused expression. But Chloe stopped at the door to the mayor’s room, shocked by what she saw.

The room was filled with praying people. Lidia and her children—except for Sam—were the only ones physically present in the room. But on the television screen, a camera panned Good Shepherd church showing a host of people filling the pews. Reverend Gabriel Dawson was leading them in prayer for the mayor’s recovery. The mayor’s guard touched her arm.

“It’s quite a thing, isn’t it? That many people asking God to make him better—makes a man feel proud to guard someone so many folks care about. Looks like the whole town’s there.” His face tightened, shoulders went back. “He’s a good man, our mayor. Nobody’s getting to him on my watch.”

“I’m glad.” Chloe’s heart contracted in a rush of sympathy when she saw tears flowing from Lidia’s cheeks onto the mayor’s still hand. Somehow it didn’t seem so bad to know that the mayor’s attacker had come after her instead of him tonight.

“It’s nice to see you back, too.” The guard smiled as if they shared a secret. “I watched you with those drug patients last week. You care ’bout folks.”

“We all do our part.” Working as quietly as she could, Chloe continued with her duties, mindful of the moment when Lidia finally left her husband’s room. “Are you all right, Mrs. Vance? Anything I can do for you?”

“Just keep praying, dear. And keep caring for him as you have been.”

“Of course I will.” Chloe watched her walk to the elevator.

The unit grew quiet; most of the patients dozed comfortably. Chloe checked the mayor, saw on the television that the church was still filled with people praying.

“I wish I could have been there,” she told him as she noted his pulse and oxygen levels. “I missed the first one, but I’m praying for you now, Mayor Vance.” As she went through her duties for the rest of the night Chloe continued to pray for his recovery even though that niggling voice in the back of her mind reminded her of her own plight.

What about next time?
Was it merely chance that Rafael had come or would God be there the next time, too?

At three-thirty on Christmas Eve, Brendan surveyed the mountain of things that had been donated and gulped.

“Is this all of it?”

“Not by a long shot.” Quinn grinned at him and went back outside for another load. By the time he was finished, Chloe’s basement looked like a department store. “Where’s Chloe?”

“Wrapping gifts.” Brendan tried to explain. “She doesn’t wrap them like we do, Quinn. She makes them into art projects. I don’t know how anyone opens them, they’re so lovely.”

“No other incidents?”

“Nope. And my Christmas shopping is finished, thanks for asking. Except for putting together the baskets, my holiday tasks are done.” He laughed at Quinn’s groan then pulled his list out of his pocket. “I guess we might as well get them made up.” He’d hoped to get enough donations for eighteen baskets. But when those were filled, gifts wrapped and ready to be delivered, there was still a stack of things on the floor. “What now?” he asked Quinn.

“Wow! Somebody’s got a serious shopping problem.” Chloe stood on the bottom step, staring, mouth slightly agape. “Will I need to charge you guys rent for this stuff?”

“We got a little more than we expected,” Brendan told her sheepishly.

“You think?” She walked past piles of foodstuffs, toys, books, gift certificates. “What are you going to do with it all?”

“We have no idea.” Brendan waited, hoping she’d think of something.

“Your mother knows everything and everybody in this town,” Chloe said thoughtfully, fingering a tiny doll. “She might know where this could go.”

“Hey, good idea.” Brendan pulled out his phone. Ten minutes later Fiona was there. Two hours later they had more baskets ready to go to families she knew were in need.

“Mom! When’s supper? We’ve got to get ready for the church concert,” Maddie yelled.

“So you’re going?” Fiona followed Chloe up the stairs. Brendan followed.

“Yes.” Chloe’s full bottom lip thrust out. “I’m not missing
Christmas just because some guy is out there. I’m going tonight. We
all
are.”

“Yes, we are.” Fiona helped her set the table and soon another riotous Montgomery meal was in progress. They went to the church by van loads.

Brendan could only hope Chloe didn’t notice that she was always surrounded by someone. He sat next to her during the presentation, and wished he had the right to tell her how proud he was of Kyle’s Christmas poem and of Madison’s sweet treble solo. But he had no right to tell her anything.

Chloe wore midnight blue, emphasizing her glorious eyes. Her auburn hair danced around her head in a thousand ringlets that were never still. She worshipped freely, sang the old songs and greeted those around her at the end of the service with no obvious inhibitions. He longed for the right to sling his arm around her waist, to pull her close, murmur how much she meant to him and wait for her beautiful smile.

“Are you staying for the social?” Fiona asked.

“We can’t.” Chloe brushed her hand over Madison’s head. “We’re decorating our tree tonight. You’re welcome to join us.”

Never one to turn down an invitation, Quinn, Fiona and Joe joined in as if they were family. To Brendan’s surprise, Chloe didn’t seem to mind his rambunctious family. She laughed, giggled and stood on tiptoe trying to get the star atop the tree. Finally he grasped her by the waist and lifted her up so she could reach.

“Thank you,” she whispered, her blue eyes meeting his in a look that made his heart rate soar. “For everything. It’s been a really great evening.”

“Yes it has. Did I tell you how good you look in that?”

“About six times,” Quinn butted in. “Do you mind moving? We’re trying to set up a train here.”

Chloe blushed, made some excuse about getting more cider for his dad, but when she came back, she’d forgotten the drink. A flicker of hope burst to life in Brendan’s heart. Maybe she felt something for him, too?