Operation: Endeavor (When The Mission Ends) (10 page)

“Now don’t you start spreading nasty rumors. I have a reputation to uphold.” He looked at her with a bemused smile.

She grinned at him. “My lips are sealed, but seriously, thank you, Colt.”

“If you want to thank me you can follow Colton’s Life Rule #2.”

“Uh oh, we have another Life Rule?”

“Yes, and this one is extremely important. In fact, I think that we may need to put it in the #1 slot.”

“Ooh, this sounds serious. Lay it on me big guy.”

His voice got very quiet and husky. “Penelope isn’t allowed to get hurt bad enough to need the ER anymore.” He brushed his hand gently over the bandage covered her forehead. “What happened this morning, Pen?”

She sucked in a harsh breath. Then she proceeded to tell him what she knew about the break-in at the store and her subsequent fall down the stairs. “It just doesn’t make any sense. Why would someone break in during daylight hours? Nothing was out of place that I could see, so he must have just gotten inside when I came in. Detective Barnes said there wasn’t any sign of forced entry and the alarm was disabled.”

“Did you see the man leave after you fell down the stairs?” He didn’t realize it until he caught her looking, but he’d been gripping the edge of the couch so tightly that he’d wrinkled the cotton canvas. He relaxed his grip and tried to calm down.

“No, I must have passed out because the next thing I remember is the paramedics coming in.”

“Who called the ambulance? Was it one of your employees? Did they see anything?”

“I… I don’t know,” she whispered quietly as she looked at him in surprise and alarm. “As far as I know, no one else had come in yet. No one was there besides me and whoever pushed me. Maybe a customer came into the store early and found me?”

He was skeptical. “Maybe, but it’s definitely something you should talk about with Detective Barnes. For now, just try to relax. You’re starting to get pale again. Are you hungry?”

“No. I think I’ll just take a little nap. Is it okay if I stay out here, or would you rather me go to my room?”

“Stay here. That way I can keep an eye on you. Do you want some pain medicine before you go to sleep?”

She started to shake her head negative, but Colton interrupted. “From my estimate, you’re probably only about fifteen minutes away from the time when you should take it and I’m hoping you’ll be asleep then. Why don’t you take it now so that you aren’t hurting so bad when you wake up? It will help you rest better, too.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Colton stood up to his full height. “The last time I checked, I don’t think anyone would confuse me with your mother.” He gave her a playful grin and a wink.

As he walked into the kitchen, he heard her soft murmur, “No, there’s nothing remotely feminine about you.”

He turned, caught her eyeing his ass, and gave her a playful grin and wink.

* * *

Penelope awoke to the sounds of Cassie and Colton talking quietly in the kitchen. They didn’t realize she was awake and since they were obviously talking about her, she didn’t feel too bad about eavesdropping.

“What did the doctor say?” Cassie’s soft voice was full of tension.

“He said she’d be sore for a while, but that she’s fine. She was lucky. She fell down the full length of that staircase. She could have easily broken her neck.” Colton’s voice had gotten gruff with concern.

“Do the police have any leads?”

“Not that I know of, but we haven’t heard from Detective Barnes. I want Pen to call him when she wakes up.”

“Brian’s handling the investigation?”

“Yeah, I saw him briefly in the ER when he came out of her room.”

“Good. He knows what he’s doing. He’ll catch this guy.”

“I sure hope so. She was lucky this time. Next time… Well, there’s just not going to be a next time is there? If I have to go with her everywhere, she’ll be safe.”

Cassie laughed. “You and what army? You haven’t run this plan by her yet, have you?”

“No, but she’ll see the wisdom in keeping me close by.” Penelope could hear the frown in Colton’s voice.

“Oh, dear brother, you have a lot to learn about women. Didn’t Dianna teach you anything? Penelope has her own mind. She’s not going to let you or anyone else slow her down, but it should be fun watching you try,” Cassie said with glee. There was nothing she liked better than tormenting her brothers.

Colton growled. “I need to go get us some dinner. Can you stay here with her while I get some food?”

“No problem.”

“Thanks. Her pain medicine is by the sink if she needs some more. Tell her I’ll be right back if she wakes up.”

“It’s okay, Colt. We’ll be fine until you get back, I promise.”

Penelope heard the door click as Colton quietly shut it. Then Cassie said, “You can open your eyes now. He’s gone.”

Penelope’s eyes flashed open in surprise and she turned to her friend. “How’d you know I was awake?”

“Seriously? We’ve been best friends for years. I always know when you’re awake. You’re breathing changes. How are you feeling?” She walked over watching Penelope closely.

Penelope sat up cautiously and took stock of her aches and pains. “Better, all things considered.”

“Do you need any pain medicine right now?”

“No, I’m fine. Colton made me take some right before I fell asleep. He’s been really wonderful today.”

“I’m not surprised. Colton’s always been a caretaker. There’s nothing he likes better than taking charge so he can boss everyone around.”

Penelope was surprised at the harshness she heard in Cassie’s voice. “That’s not fair. He really stepped up and took care of me today, which is way above and beyond for a roommate.”

“I’m sorry. You’re right. This is where we get into the idiosyncrasies of sibling relationships. Colton can’t help who he is and right now he’s being really pushy with Chris. I’m a little sensitive about his bossiness.”

Penelope regarded Cassie thoughtfully. “The other day when I came home, he was unpacking. He was looking at photos of you all before your parents died. He wasn’t that old when they died.”

“No he wasn’t. None of us were.”

Penelope spoke softly. “You were all so young to have to deal with that. Did you immediately come to live with your grandparents?”

“It was just our grandfather. A single old man we didn’t even know. He did his best, but Colton basically raised us. It was really hard for him. He was devastated by both their deaths, but especially mom’s. He was so close to her. After she died, he always wore her wedding ring on a chain around his neck. He said it made him feel closer to her. He felt that by having that piece of her with him, he could help guide us in what she would want us to do.”

“He took over the role of your parents. I would imagine having done that from such an early age, it’s hard to just let go of that role.” She tried to imagine a young, ten year old Colton taking charge and protecting his scared siblings and her heart melted. That kind of thing said so much about the man he’d become, especially when she knew what an amazing man he truly was.

Cassie rolled her eyes. “Yes, you’re right. I know you’re right, but that doesn’t make it any easier when he gets bossy.”

“Well, from what I’ve seen, Colton only gets that way because he cares.”

Cassie got a mischievous look in her eye as she said, “Just remember you said that in a couple of days. From what I’ve seen here today, you have a new caretaker. He’s big, protective, and doesn’t understand when someone tells him no. Colton’s not an easy person to move when he’s decided to place you under his wings.”

“Don’t worry. I think we’ll be fine.”

Cassie just smirked at her knowingly.

* * *

The next morning, Penelope glared at Colton.

“Penelope, there’s no way I’m going to sit back and let you to go into work today. Someone attacked you there yesterday. You’re still hurt. You don’t need to be there today. I won’t allow it.”

“Won’t allow it?” She worked to keep from yelling at him. “I’m thirty years old. If you think you can keep me from heading in to do my job, you have another thing coming.” She took a deep breath to try to control her temper and then regretted the action when it caused her ribs to twinge in pain. Unfortunately, Colton spotted her grimace.

“See, you can’t even take a breath without it hurting. There’s no reason they can’t work without you today, Penelope. Just call them and check in and I promise you they’ll tell you the same thing.”

“I’m sure you’re right, but that doesn’t change the fact, the bookstore is mine. My responsibility. My obligation. My job. I’m going in today.”

“Come on, Penelope. Be reasonable. You spent half the day yesterday in the ER. You need to take at least one day off.”

“I did take one day off…yesterday. Today I’m going in, at least for a few hours. I promise I’m not going to overdo it. I’ll be fine.”

Colton looked seriously at her. “Okay, we’ll compromise. You can go into the bookstore, but I’m going with you. That way if you get tired or start hurting, I can bring you home.”

Penelope rolled her eyes, although she had to admit, the guy was hot when he got in full alpha-mode. She needed to write one of the male heroes in her books based on Colton. But writing about a hot alpha male and trying to live with one were totally different things. “Oh my God. You just don’t give up, do you? Okay.” She threw her arm into the air and then immediately regretted the action when she felt the shooting pain through her ribs. Thankfully, Colton missed the grimace she managed to hide. “Compromise it is, but I don’t want to hear a peep out of you when you’re bored to tears with nothing to do.”

Colton winked at her. “It’s a bookstore, right? I’ll have hours of entertainment right at my fingertips.”

“Okay, it’s your day wasted. I know you have things you need to be doing for Mad Rob. We leave in thirty minutes.”

She would never, ever admit it to him, but she was secretly relieved he insisted on going with her. She didn’t want him to know how much the idea of stepping foot inside of her store terrified her. It was her store. Her oasis. That someone had violated that infuriated her. She hated the idea that she needed to lean on him. She was stronger than this, but the idea of Colton’s big, muscular body protecting her provided her with a much needed peace of mind. She just wouldn’t tell him that.

* * *

Overall, it had been an enjoyable morning, but that was about to come to an end. Colton closed the book he’d read while sitting in the little reading nook of the bookstore. He’d just caught sight of Penelope’s pale face as she searched the shelves for a book in the main part of the store. Whether she wanted to or not, it was time for her to call it a day. She looked wiped out.

He walked up behind her to hear her talking on her cell phone. “I’m sorry, Thomas, but I was in an accident so I won’t be able to come out for a couple of weeks.”

Thomas? Who the hell was Thomas? Was there another guy in her life that he didn’t know about?

“No, no, I’m fine.” She moved some books to face out as she continued talking. “It’s really nothing. Just an accident at the bookstore, but it’s left me with a bum wrist which would make doing my job there difficult. I’ll miss you guys, but I’ll be back out as soon as I can. Thanks, Thomas.” She ended the call, but her back was still to him.

Colton frowned and wondered who this guy was but that immediately fled his mind as he saw Penelope sway. He cupped the elbow on her uninjured arm to steady her. “It’s time to go home.”

She turned to him. He didn’t like the sight of the dark bruises under her eyes on her pale face. She looked like she was going to argue, but then thought better of it. She gave a short nod. “Let me go tell Aunt Alix I’m heading out.”

“Smart girl.”

She glared at him. “Don’t be a condescending ass.”

He raised both hands in surrender. “I wouldn’t think of it, sweetheart.” He smirked at her.

“Pfft.” She snorted in disbelief. She looked around the store with a slightly haunted look. “Do you think she’s okay to be here alone? Jon’s not supposed to be in for another twenty minutes.”

Colton glanced down at his watch and then looked back at her pale face. “Tell you what. If you promise to go sit down in that very comfortable chair in the reading nook that I just vacated and rest, we’ll stay until he gets here. I’ll go tell your Aunt Alix the plan.”

At her easy acquiescence about both the rest and talking to Alix, Colton worried she was hurting more than she let on. He eyed her critically as she sat down gingerly in the large leather club chair. As soon as her head hit the back of the chair, her eyes closed. Damn, she’d overdone today. He shouldn’t have let her come in, but he gave an internal chuckle as he thought about what her reaction would be if he voiced ‘I told you so’ to that thought. Penelope was as stubborn as she was beautiful.

Shaking his head as he went, he bounded up the steps to the second floor where Alix was shelving books.

Alix looked up at him as he walked into the Reference and History room. Her eyes were furrowed with concern for Penelope. “Please tell me you’ve convinced her to go home and rest.”