Page 77 of To Hold and Protect

“Thanks.”

Because he didn’t want her to be alone, and he couldn’t leave Everly, he’d asked Skylar to stay with Willow. The latest update from Skylar was that the bullet had been removed from her shoulder and there wouldn’t be any permanent damage. Because Willow and Everly hadn’t been in the fire for long, they had both suffered only minimal smoke inhalation. As much of a relief as that had been, the guilt that Willow had been shot because of him wasn’t going to go away soon.

Tristan walked in and stopped on the opposite side of the bed from Parker. “She hasn’t woken up yet?” He trailed the back of his hand down Everly’s cheek.

“No, but Jim said she should anytime now.”

“Thank God,” Tristan said. “Skylar said she talked to you a little while ago, so you’re updated on Willow’s condition and know she’s going to be okay?”

“Yeah, and thank God for that, too.” He hadn’t had a choice in staying with Everly, but it had torn him up inside that he couldn’t go with Willow, that he wasn’t by her side right now.

“Did you know that Crystal intended to shoot Everly, and that was why Willow tackled her and how she got shot?”

“No.” Willow had taken a bullet to save his daughter? His legs gave out, and he fell heavily in the chair behind him.

“Willow’s awake and insisted on giving Skye a statement. Crystal believed that she could blame Willow for the fires and killing Everly, and you would turn to her, to Crystal for comfort.”

“That’s... I don’t even have words for how fucked-up that is.” Willow had saved Everly’s life, not just from the fire but from being murdered. How could he ever repay her for that?

“It is. I just came from the jail. Crystal’s demanding to talk to you. Said you’re the only person she’ll talk to.”

“She can demand all she wants. I have no desire to see or talk to her.”

Tristan rounded the bed, then perched on the edge in front of Parker. “Can’t say I blame you, but I’m going to ask you to do it.” He glanced down at Everly. “Not tonight, but tomorrow after you get our little girl home. Kade and Harper are on their way back, and they can stay with her while you’re gone.”

“Why should I?” He couldn’t be trusted around that woman. “If I get near her, I’ll want to wrap my hands around her throat for hurting my girls.”

His brother smiled. “You won’t, and your girls are going to be just fine.”

“Ask me again tomorrow.”

“Better yet, just show up at the jail around eleven. I’ll meet you there.”

“Fine, but I want it on record that I won’t be held responsible for my actions when I see her.”

“Duly noted. There’s one other thing. Your studio is a mess, but it’s not a total loss. The front wall’s going to need to be replaced because of the fire, and you have water damage to the inside walls and floor. All fixable. The good news, your fireproof room did its job. Zero damage to the canvases stored in it.”

“That is good news.” His art show wouldn’t have to be canceled. “What about Willow’s house?”

“From what I can tell, she’s going to need a wall replaced and some flooring. Whether the kitchen cabinets and counters are salvageable, I’m not sure. I called Buddy Napier, and he’s going to check out the damage and what needs to be done on her house. He said he’ll meet you at the studio when you’re ready to assess the damage there.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it.” It sounded like all his art supplies were going to have to be replaced, which meant a trip to Charlotte. Maybe he, Willow, and Everly could make a weekend of it. Yeah, that was a great idea...or was he fooling himself that she’d even want to be near him after what she’d been through because of him?

At eleven the next morning, Parker walked into an interrogation room with Tristan after his brother’s captain had read Crystal her rights. Parker wanted to get this over with because as soon as he could get out of here, he was going to the hospital in Statesville to see Willow.

Everly had awakened early this morning, none the worse for wear physically. Because she’d slept through the worst of it—a blessing that—all she remembered was the woman making her drink milk even after she told the mean lady she didn’t like milk. Parker had assured her that she’d never see that woman again, nor would she have to drink milk again, and that was good enough for her. She’d asked for extra pickles at breakfast, and grateful she was alive, he’d put the jar in front of her and told her to go to town.

One of Skylar’s deputies had found Crystal’s rental car parked one street over from Willow’s house. Inside was a key to a room at a motel at the Statesville exit off I-40. All her possessions left in the room had been collected, including a journal detailing each fire she’d set in Horace County. Parker’s name was in there, too, but Parker had told his brother he didn’t want to know what she’d written about him. In fact, as soon as he finished talking to her, he never wanted to hear the name Crystal Erickson again.

Crystal’s eyes lit up at seeing him when he walked in. “Parker, I knew you’d come rescue me.”

He took a seat across the table from her, and Tristan chose a spot against the wall behind her. His brother had told him where he’d stand in the hope she’d forget he was there.

One wrist was handcuffed to a bar attached to the table, and it gave him immense satisfaction at seeing that. “I was told you asked to talk to me, so here I am.” Tristan had coached him on what to say, and it was mostly to not say much of anything, to let her talk. That worked for him as he had nothing to say to her and wished he was anywhere but here.

“Remember our night together, Parker, how special it was?”

“I remember.” That smile and those blue eyes...he’d thought them pretty that night at the bar, but now he saw what he’d missed. Both the smile and the eyes were off, those of a very disturbed woman. Although he couldn’t forgive her for what she’d done, he felt sorry for the things he’d learned that had happened to her. No young girl should have had to suffer the way he assumed she had, both at losing a father she loved and learning of his crimes.

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