Hour of Need (Scarlet Falls #1)(53)

How could Lee be gone?

A sob slipped past her lips, and from there her control broke. She covered her face with her hands and fought the tears, but it was no use. Her breakdown had been building since she found out about her brother’s death. There was no holding it back now.

She reached for a tissue and blew her nose. Thankfully, Grant was out of the house, and Julia had taken the kids to the playground. Hannah would hate to be another source of sadness for Carson. The prospect of outdoor play had put him in a happy mood. A glance at the clock on the computer told her Grant could be back any time. She blotted her eyes. She needed to get it together. He needed her help, not one more person to cry all over him.

Most days it took all her effort to smile instead of swear. What happened to Lee was wrong on a base level. He was the good guy, kind and considerate. The one who’d visited Dad in the nursing home while the rest of the Barrett clan chased their dreams all over the globe. As far as Hannah traveled, she’d always known Lee was here. He had things covered. He was home base. She could return at any time and things would seem unchanged.

But that was all over. Lee was dead.

Pain welled up inside her chest, creating pressure that restricted her breaths. Since her mother died, it was fear of this feeling, this helplessness, this sense of all being lost that made her a loner. The fewer people she loved, the lower her risk of experiencing this overwhelming sadness again.

A frantic scream snapped her attention to the front window. She jumped up and crossed the tiny room. Fear gripped her belly like fingertips on a ledge at the sight though the glass. Beyond Lee’s driveway, Julia and Carson were running toward the house. A man chased them, gaining ground.

Hannah ran for the door. Her socks slid on the hardwood as she bolted down the hall and yanked open the front door. In the street ahead, Julia handed the baby to Carson. The girl put herself between the younger children and the threat. The dog stood at Julia’s side, barking. Hannah leaped over the front steps.

Hell, no. He was not getting that girl.

Hannah burst forward, sprinting down the driveway toward the children.

The man whirled, taking off in the opposite direction. Hannah passed the children and chased him, anger fueling her long legs. Mud soaked through her socks. She cranked up her speed.

He cut across the park toward a white van. Hannah turned onto the grass just as he leaped into the vehicle and took off with the squeal of tires on pavement.

She stopped, shaded her eyes, and squinted at the license plate, but it was covered with mud.

Damn it.

She noted the make and model of the vehicle. Winded, Hannah wheezed back to the house. She needed to get back in shape. Julia and the kids huddled on Ellie Ross’s front porch. In front of them, Julia’s grandmother sat on the step. Nan’s booted, broken foot was extended on the concrete. A shotgun lay across her lap. With her left wrist in a brace, she gripped the gun with one hand, using her knee to hold up the barrel.

Hannah stopped on the walkway that curved to the steps. “Is everyone all right?”

Though fear shone in her eyes, Julia nodded over the baby’s head on her shoulder. Carson lunged off the step and threw his arms around Hannah’s waist. She hesitated, her hands hovering above his shoulders for a minute, before folding him into an awkward hug. The kind of love Carson offered terrified her with its strength and wholeheartedness. Was she capable of returning that much affection? What if she messed up?

Grant pulled into the driveway and jumped out of the minivan. “What happened?”

“Julia took us to the park. A man chased us.” In a single breath, Carson abandoned Hannah for Grant’s strong embrace.

Hannah was simultaneously disappointed and relieved.

“I’m calling the police.” Hannah turned toward the house, away from Grant and Carson and the baby clinging to Julia, away from the responsibility, the dependency.

“Already did that,” said Nan.

“Did you call Ellie?” Grant asked.

Nan shook her head. “No. She’s on her way home from dropping off some files at the office. I didn’t want her driving upset.”

Hannah eyed the shotgun across the older woman’s knees. She approved of the old lady’s spunk, but doubted Nan could even fire the gun if necessary.

“You bet I can fire it,” Nan said.

Hannah paused.

“Honey, I didn’t need to read your mind to know what you were thinking.” Nan held a hand out. “Would you be a dear and help me up?”

“You aren’t supposed to put any weight on that foot.” Grant set Carson down.

“It was an emergency.” Nan shrugged, but pain lined her face. She unloaded the gun, putting the shells into the pocket of her cardigan.

Grant scooped her off the step and turned toward his brother’s house. “Let’s all stick together. It’ll be easier when the police show up. Julia, could you get your grandmother’s crutches?”

Julia handed Faith to Hannah. She folded the baby close, trying to ignore how much she liked the scent of baby powder. Hannah had only been here a couple of days, and these kids were already burrowing into her heart. She was clearly not meant to be in charge of children. They’d been in her care for an hour, and she’d failed them. Grant couldn’t run one errand without Hannah putting the children in danger.

Clutching Faith close to her chest, Hannah herded Carson into his house. Grant went back to the adjoining family room and set Nan on the sofa. He stowed her shotgun on top of the refrigerator, out of Carson’s reach.