He Can Fall (She Can... #4.5)(17)

A fire blazed against the cold wind that rattled the windows and helped dispel the sense of isolation they’d all felt that morning.

“How’s Tanner?” Reclining on the sofa, Glenn curled an arm around Mia. He winced as she snuggled closer to his bandaged ribs.

“He’ll be all right.” Sean omitted the fact that, according to the ER doctor, the chef wouldn’t have survived another hour.

The police had removed Win’s body from the hall and dug Dennis out of the snowbank in the woods. Lincoln Street was picked up a few hours later, wandering along the road. He lost a few toes to frostbite. Unlike Amanda, Carl suffered a serious concussion, but he’d live. In his statement, Carl had said that Dennis was Mia’s father’s cell mate. He’d heard him talk about his kid’s grandfather taking her away and not bringing Mia to see him. He’d ranted on and on about the fancy inn on Hideaway Lake. When they’d found themselves needing an isolated spot to hole up, Dennis had remembered the inn. About a mile into their trek in the frigid night, the men had grown tired of carrying the heavy bag and had stashed the money in the woods. Their broken-down vehicle was found several miles down the road, and the police had found the cash not far from it. But both Carl and Lincoln were going back to prison. Win’s girlfriend, the crazy clerk, would also live to see a prison cell. She’d met Win when he worked at the liquor store. Between the two of them, they’d supplied Carl and Lincoln with enough information about the store’s security and cash flow to plan the robbery. All she wanted was money for drugs.

“I sure appreciate you staying the weekend.” Glenn sighed. “I don’t think I’d sleep if it were just me and Mia here tonight.”

“You need to take it easy,” Sean said. “We’ll hang out a couple of days. I’ll make sure that security system is operating perfectly before I go. Actually, it’s up and running now. I thought we’d all sleep better tonight knowing it was activated. In addition to the phone connection, it’s wired into your satellite communication system as a backup. Cutting the phone line won’t cut you off from help.”

Amanda shivered, and Sean rubbed her arm. Cradling a medicinal glass of brandy, she leaned her head on his shoulder. On the sofa, Mia’s head drooped.

“Do you want me to put her to bed?” Sean asked.

“You may as well tuck her into mine. I don’t want her waking up scared later.” Cradling his granddaughter’s head, Glenn teared up.

“You got it.” Sean leaned over and lifted the child into his arms.

“Thank you, Sean. And you too, Amanda.” Glenn wiped his eyes. “If you hadn’t been here, Mia and I…Well, none of us would be here now.”

Amanda leaned forward and patted Glenn’s arm. “We were here, and everything is OK.”

She helped Glenn to his feet. He leaned on her arm as they followed Sean and Mia to the bedroom. Amanda waited in the lobby for Sean to sweep each room and check every window on the first floor one more time before they went up to bed.

While Amanda showered, he cranked up the gas fireplace. She came out in the thick spa robe, and he helped her into one of his flannel shirts. Sean’s gut twisted as he counted her bruises.

She could have died today.

He tucked her in under the fluffy duvet and climbed in bed with her. He was going to sweat like a pig all night, but Amanda couldn’t seem to stay warm. The shock and the aftereffects of adrenaline would take a while to dissipate.

Pulling her close, he breathed in the scent of her hair. “You’re sure you’re all right?”

“Just a little banged up and shaken.”

“I didn’t mean physically.”

“I’m sure I’ll have some nightmares.” She shivered. “I knew you’d save me.”

“Technically, I think you saved me.” In more ways than stopping the clerk from shooting him. How would he have turned out if he hadn’t left the Rangers and found Amanda? Would he have ended up as cold-blooded as the men who took the inn? Thank God he didn’t have to find out. “How do you feel about stabbing that girl?”

“Awful, of course, but I’d do it again. I love you.” She snuggled closer. “I’m not even sure I care about getting pregnant anymore. If it happens, it happens. For now, I’m more focused on counting the blessings I already have. At the moment that means being grateful to be alive. Dead people don’t have to deal with emotional issues.”

Good point. There was nothing like a near-death experience to make a person appreciative.

“I’m still more than happy to keep trying.” He pulled the blanket over her shoulders.

Amanda laughed softly. “Yes, I know you are.”

A small part of him wished he could bring Winner Young back to life so he could kill him again. This time he’d use a slow and painful method. No quick death for the man who’d put his hands on Amanda. Sean felt no remorse for killing that animal, but he wasn’t worried.

He’d discovered he was no longer an adrenaline junkie. Danger didn’t hold the thrill it had ten years ago. Being a husband and father was more than enough excitement. All he wanted to do was watch over his wife and their girls for the rest of their lives.

He kissed her temple. “I’d do anything for you, babe. Anything at all.”