Page 61 of Chasing a Kidnapper

“You stepped right in front of us,” she said with a frown. “I was scared he was going to shoot you!”

“I would rather be the one in the line of fire.” He closed his eyes for a moment, then said, “Don’t you understand? I would do anything to protect you and Gabriel.”

“Ah, West,” she whispered, hugging him. “I wish things were different for us.”

Different how? Before he could ask, she lifted up on her tippy toes and kissed him.

Savoring their embrace, he tried to understand how this had happened. How he’d fallen for Trisha and her son.

His phone rang, interrupting their kiss. He was tempted to ignore it, but reluctantly pulled away from Trish’s embrace to pull the device from his pocket, not surprised to see Captain Ross’s name on the screen.

“Our boss,” he said in a low husky voice.

“Of course.” She stepped out of his arms, and it was all he could do not to haul her back.

“West? What’s this about Aaron Klinger holding you and Trisha at gunpoint?” Ross demanded.

“We’ll head over to the precinct to write up our report,” he promised. “Bottom line, I don’t believe Klinger owns the gold or he would have reported it stolen.”

“Yeah, that’s what I hear.” There was a brief pause, then Ross added, “I’m glad you’re both safe. And Trish’s son, too.”

“Thanks.” He caught Trish’s hand in his, earning a surprised glance. The danger was over, but he wasn’t ready to let her go.

Until now, he’d been focused only on his career. One that could have ended here today if Klinger had gotten a shot off. He’d told himself people always left, but now he realized that was a cowardly way of avoiding relationships.

Kenyon hadn’t asked to be killed. Shannon had left West, but in hindsight, he hadn’t cared about her as much as he should have.

The way he’d fallen in love with Trish.

No, he wouldn’t waste this second chance. God had brought Trisha and Gabriel into his life for a reason.

To show him what he’d been missing.

Still reeling from the dizzying impact of West’s kiss, Trisha tried not to get her hopes up that their embrace was anything special. Maybe that had been nothing more than a goodbye kiss.

After all, they would both go their separate ways now that this nightmare was over.

Yet she couldn’t get the image of him carrying Gabriel out of the bank from her mind. He’d looked so comfortable with her son, a far cry from the way he’d acted when she and Gabriel had initially stayed with him.

Despite her attempt to protect her heart, she’d fallen in love with him. Yet she had no idea what to do about her newfound feelings, either.

“We need to head back to the precinct,” West said. “Will Gabriel be okay for a little while longer?”

“I think so.” She double-checked Gabriel was securely fastened in his seat before climbing into the passenger seat. West opened the back for Peanut, then slid behind the wheel.

“We just need to write up our reports, then we’re good to go,” he said. “You may want to bunk with me tonight, as your house is still a crime scene.”

The offer shocked her. “Oh, well, I don’t want to put you out. Now that the danger is over, I can stay with Raina and the twins.”

West frowned but didn’t argue as he drove the short distance to the precinct. The front parking spots were full, so he drove along to the side lot.

As she took Gabriel out of the car seat, she noticed a small child sitting by herself, eating goldfish crackers at a picnic table that was sometimes used by the staff at the police station.

“West? Do you see anyone with that little girl?” Trisha asked, gesturing toward the child she estimated to be about fourteen to fifteen months old.

“No.” He frowned, releasing Peanut from the back. “Do you?”

“No.” She quickly headed toward the toddler. “Hi, my name is Trisha and this is Gabriel. What’s your name?”

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