Page 40 of Noble Neighbor
A nape-prickle, one honed by years of police work, had him scanning the area. His gaze collided with Harlan’s teammate, and after a moment, the man nodded, lifting two fingers in salute before turning away to watch the fireworks.
The colorful display passed in a blur for Oliver, the finale drawing gasps of awe from the spectators, but as the last burst faded, Sunny shifted. He leaned in. “Ready to go?”
She nodded without looking at him, and he sprang to his feet, offering her a hand.
After a moment’s hesitation, she placed her palm in his. He closed his fingers around hers and tugged,catching her when she stumbled. A sharp hiss of indrawnbreath drew his attention to her face. Even in the dark, her grimace was noticeable.
“What’s wrong?”
Her head shot up, and for a beat, she stared at him. “Hip. Residual pain from an old injury. Just … give me a moment, okay?”
“Take as long as you need, sweetheart. I’m not going anywhere.” As the words left his mouth, Oliver knew he wasn’t talking only about now.
He’d wait, however long it took for Sunny Jones to trust him and accept him in her life.
Molly staggered closer and fell against Sunny. “I’m tired, Mommy,” the little one mumbled, already half-asleep.
Oliver stayed Sunny’s move to pick her up. “Let me?”
To his surprise, she stepped back without demur. “Thanks.”
While he lifted Molly into his arms, Clement came forward and helped Sunny fold the quilt. Kenzie stood to one side holding Hooch’s lead. Without a word, his father picked up their basket and placed his hand on the older girl’s back, urging her on. Clement collected the folded chairs, took the quilt from Sunny, and raced to take position beside Kenzie.
Eyes on the ground, Sunny started off, and with a last quelling look at their hovering friends, Oliver followed, slowing his pace to measure her laborious gait. She was trying her best not to limp, and after a couple of steps, he murmured, “You can hold my arm if it’ll help.”
“I can manage,” she muttered, but before he could formulate a reply, Sunny stumbled again. With a lowcurse, she grabbed his arm. “I hate being so vulnerable,”she gritted out.
He figured best to keep quiet. He had another battlecoming up, because there was no way she was climbingbehind the wheel in her state.
Fortunately, his father broached the subject when they reached the parking lot. “Oliver, you drive Sunny and the girls home and get them settled. Clement can come with me. Not a word,” he added when she started to protest. “I’ll fret all night if I’m not sure y’all safe and sound.” He held his hand out. “Keys.” With a huff, Sunny reached into her jeans pocket and handed the fob over.
Oliver busied himself buckling a sleeping Molly into her seat. Kenzie, he noted, watched her mother with concern as Sunny all but collapsed into the front passenger seat. He leaned across Molly and Hooch, placing his hand over Kenzie’s as she buckled in, offering her a comforting smile. “She’ll be fine,” he mouthed. She blinked before nodding once.
With a wave to his son and father, he slid in behind the wheel and drove the Jones girls home. All three were asleep before they even left the town limits.
*
Sunny woke with a start and struggled upright, butsomething constrained her. “Lemme go,” she muttered,battling to break free. Her eyes flew open. Dark. It was night, and—
Pain. So much pain.
They were being chased. Rammed. Someone was—
The girls. She twisted her torso, but the back was empty, the door opposite her open. Panic surged through her. Where were her girls?
A dog barked. Mad with fear, she looked about. A man stepped into the pool of a light. Her breath hitched. Then she sagged with recognition.
It was Oliver.
And she was strapped into the Suburban outside her home.
The events of the evening flooded in. The Apple Festival. Bella’s question. Her confrontation with the sheriff. Oliver punching the man.
“Oliver?”
Her door opened. “Hi,” he whispered, resting his hands on the top of the SUV as he leaned in, a crooked smile stretching his mouth “Thought I’d have to carry you to bed as well. I’m kinda disappointed you’re awake.”
“My girls are in bed?”
