Page 40 of PenPal Hero

Dead silence met her announcement.

“I wrote them back, but I never sent the message. I wanted to, but…” She shook her head. “It didn’t feel right to. I left the message sitting on my screen, though, asking them to tell me something only I would know. Earlier this evening, I sent the message by accident.” She drew a deep breath. “And they responded. Or my birth mom did. I mean…the woman claiming to be her,” she corrected. “She described a flashback I’d experienced only minutes earlier. White curtains blowing in the breeze and a woman singing me a lullaby. She attached a sound file of the song. I’d be happy to forward it to you if you want.”

“Yes, please.” The sheriff’s voice was profoundly gentle. “Are you alright?”

“I’m trying to be.” She scrolled through her messages on her cell phone and pulled up the short conversation thread with Greg and Bonita Williamson. Then she handed her phone to Holt, so he could do the honors.

He caressed her fingers during the handoff. “Sir, we’re forwarding you the text conversation and the sound file.”

“I’ll take a look at them right away.” The sheriff was silent for a moment. “Have you told your parents about this, Bonnie?”

“Not yet.” She gave Holt an agonized look.

He nodded in resignation. “We’re about to give her oldest brother a call.”

She looked taken aback and mouthed to him. We are?

“Good.” The sheriff sounded relieved. “We’re gonna need as many folks as possible looking after you in the coming days, Bonnie.”

“Why?” She sounded hesitant.

“Because we believe we’re closing in on the scalawags behind all this nonsense. And they’re not going to like it one bit.” He gave a low whistle. “Expect some fireworks, y’all.”

He didn’t explain what he meant by fireworks, and neither Holt nor Bonnie asked.

CHAPTER 8: MAKING AMENDS

Holt disconnected the call with the sheriff. Next, he pulled up Jackson Yates in his address book. Leaning closer to Bonnie, he brushed his lips against her cheek. “You ready for this?”

“No.” She tipped her face his way, and he covered her mouth with his.

“I’m right here, babe.” He spoke between kisses, hoping to reassure her. “Anyone coming for you will have to come through me first.”

She made a soft sound of distress. “I can’t believe you’re still here, Holt.”

He knew what she meant, but he didn’t agree — not one bit. “Why do you say that?” he growled.

“I’m nothing but trouble,” she sighed.

“Maybe I like trouble.” He playfully nipped at her lower lip.

“I’m serious, Holt,” she protested.

“So am I.” He said it like he meant it, because he did. “About you.”

“I just don’t see why?—”

He cut off her words by claiming another kiss. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Bonnie Yates. That’s why. There’s another reason.” He wasn’t sure she was ready to hear it yet, but he was willing to try anything to distract her from the insanity hanging over them at the moment.

“Is it a state secret?” she teased when he paused.

“No.” In spite of the tear stains on her cheeks, her sense of humor was back. He liked that. “I’m falling for you, babe. I realize it may not be something you want to hear right now.”

“Why not?” Her gorgeous eyes sparkled back at him.

He shrugged. “The timing isn’t perfect. You’ve got a lot on your plate.”

“So do you.” She leaned his way to bump shoulders with him. “It’s not like you can schedule stuff like that on the calendar.”

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