Page 119 of Surly Sheriff
But not Beau’s.
And never Jack’s.
Beau placed his hand on her shoulders and peered at her. “Nothingis going to happen to us.”
She forced back the tears. “They could trace you here.Find Jack,” she wailed. Her sacrifice, her efforts to protect, all for naught.
“You’re not the only one who can get hold of a fake identity. Nobody will know who I am.”
“But that’s illegal, Beau. You’re asheriff. They can remove you from office.”
“It’s a risk I am willing to take. What I amnotwilling is for you to face that monster on your own, Raegan.”
She hated his plan. Simply hated it.
Not only was she stuck with bodyguards, but Beau insisted on accompanying her next month.
He gave her a light shake. “Rae, look at me.” She met his eyes through a film of tears. “Trust me to know what I’m doing. By the time we leave,together, we’ll have all the safeguards in place.”
She could read the determination in his demeanor.
He was not backing down.
“I’m not happy with the plan. Or you,” she snapped.
“I don’t care. Your days of going it alone are over. When you stand up in that witness stand, I will be in the courthouse with you.”
“Fine,” she muttered.
“And Raegan, don’t eventhinkof bolting.”
A flash of guilt surged through her. The thought of grabbing Jack and making a quick getawayhadpopped into her mind. But only for a moment, though. She’d never do that to her son. Not now that he’d met his father.
“I won’t,” she murmured.
“Promise me.”
She met his stare. “I promise, Beau.” And maybe having his support,not being on her own, would be rather nice.
*
“Momma, that mean lady is here,” Jack announced, running into the closet where she was sorting through the clothes she had left behind. Rae compressed her lips, balling the sweatshirt in her hand. She had avoided Bella last night, not in any mood to handle the many questions or gushing apologies.
Not after that bombshell Beau had dropped on her.
Huffing — may as well get the confrontation with Bella over with — Rae flung the sweatshirt on the pile earmarked for thecharity shop. Turning to walk out the door, she collided with a solid object.
“Beau,” she gasped, stumbling back.
He caught her forearms, steadying her. “Whoa there.”
She chuffed a laugh. “Thanks.”
“I see Jack beat me telling you Nate and Bella are here.”
“I don’t like that lady, Dad,” Jack said. “She was mean to Momma.”
Beau grimaced, releasing his hold on her. He crouched before Jack. “I think Bella wants to say sorry to you and Momma. Maybe you can let her?”
