Secret Agent Father by Laura Scott Read Free Book Online Page B

touch.”
    “See that you do.” Russell Jacobson’s tone hardened. “I know your church views prevented you and your sister from becoming close, but our family needs to stick together in times like this.”
    His words were sharp, an arrow piercing her heart. Her father had taken this attitude, acting as if her Christian path was somehow the wrong one, maybe because she’d found so much comfort in her church community, rather than with her family. “We weren’t that close, but I loved Trina. And I love you, too. I’ll call you later, Dad.”
    She snapped the phone shut before he could say anything more. A battery of emotions assailed her: grief, fear, anger, despair, loneliness. And of course, above all, guilt. Her father had a knack for making her feel guilty, even for events beyond her control.
    Brushing away the evidence of her tears, Shelby stood, took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. Trina trusted her to keep Cody safe and that was exactly what she’d do. From here on out nothing mattered except the small boy who hadn’t deserved to be dragged into harm’s way.
    Shelby crossed the room to the patio doors that led to the snow-covered deck surrounding the house. Troubled by her conversation with her father and her concerns about Cody’s future, she gazed into the darkness outside. She didn’t dare go home, not if that meant Cody wouldbe in danger. But she knew her father was worried. With a sigh, she rested her forehead against the cool glass.
    Dear Lord, guide me. Show me the way.
    Shelby needed to seek God’s guidance. Because no matter what she wanted, she had to do whatever was best for Cody.
    Feeling calmer, she lifted her head and took several deep breaths. For a moment, she basked in the wonder of God’s beauty, the snow-covered trees surrounding Kayla’s log home and the occasional star twinkling in the velvet sky.
    A bobbing light captured her gaze. She sucked in a quick breath and swiped at the fog on the glass. Intensely, she peered at the wooded area to the left side of the house.
    The light was gone. She blinked, wondering if she’d imagined it. Maybe the events of the past twenty-four hours had gotten to her.
    Shelby stood, indecisively. Maybe her tired mind had played tricks on her, but what if someone really was out there? She couldn’t ignore the slim possibility.
    She needed to find Alex.

FOUR
    “A lex!” Shelby’s serious tone made him spin away from the fireplace in the great room to look up at where she stood, leaning over the rail in the loft. “I think someone could be outside.”
    “You saw someone?” Immediately his senses went on alert.
    “I saw a light. But it was gone so fast, it might have been my imagination.” Shelby ran down the steps to meet him in front of the fireplace, her blue eyes round with alarm. “Is it even possible that Trina’s shooter found us? Where’s Cody?”
    “Playing video games with Brianna.” He wasn’t surprised her first concern was for the boy. He couldn’t bear the thought of either Shelby or Cody being in danger. He pushed aside his fear for their safety to think logically. A light in the woods? Could be a poacher with a flashlight. Or possibly Rafe? He’d asked Rafe to stake out the truck stop to make sure Shelby hadn’t been followed. Had Rafe come out to the B & B to provide backup? Maybe. Maybe not. He’d need to investigate, to confirm. “I’m not sure how the shooter could havefollowed you here. It’s probably nothing. Stay here. I’ll check things out.”
    She caught his arm, preventing him from leaving. “Alone? Maybe I should go with you.”
    Did she think he couldn’t handle himself? He frowned. He’d protest her with his life, if necessary. “You stay here, with Kayla and the kids. I’ll be fine.”
    With excruciating slowness, her slim fingers loosened their grip on his arm and dropped away. The bare skin of his forearm tingled from her touch. Maybe his injured arm was overly sensitive from the damaged