Page 13

So much for that plan.
“There’s only a few agencies capable of creating a brand-new identity while burying any trace of it in red tape….” One eyebrow arched. “You’re FBI. Or CIA. Former military.”
He was in the ballpark. That would have to be close enough. She gripped the counter behind her. “I can’t answer that.”
He nodded slowly, as if a puzzle piece had fallen into place anyway. “Do you know what those men were looking for?”
“No.”
“But you know who they are?”
Ellie grimaced. “Mr. Broken Nose and Busted Kneecap, no, I don’t know who they are.”
“But you know who hired them?”
“I can’t say.”
“Unacceptable.” Daniel’s gaze narrowed. “How am I supposed to protect you and Owen with a blindfold on and my hands tied behind my back? You need to give me something to work with, Ellie.”
“I wish I could.” Her jaw tightened to keep the truth from spilling past her lips. In this moment, she wanted to share everything. To lay her burdens down, let this handsome and capable Texas Ranger help her find a way out of this mess. It was a shock to realize how much she wanted that. Ellie wasn’t used to relying on people. Silver Creek had softened her. Maybe too much. “I need you to give me a little leeway here.”
"A little leeway?" He stared at her in disbelief. “You’re asking me to blindly trust you without offering the same trust in return.”
It was a lot. She knew better than most how much. “Not blindly. You know enough to make reasonable assumptions about the situation. Honestly, I’ve said more than I should.” Ellie met his gaze. “I’m doing my best to keep everyone safe. You. Me. Most importantly, Owen.”
“And how does this end? You can’t hide out here at the ranch forever, and if what I suspect is true, whoever came after you and Owen won’t stop.”
“I’ve set things in motion. Hopefully, I’ll have answers soon.”
He huffed out a frustrated breath. “That’s cryptic.” Daniel studied her for a long moment, his mouth flattened, his expression uncertain. And then, whatever decision he was wrestling with seemed to be made because his shoulders dropped and he backed up a step. “You have till the end of the day. Tomorrow, I’ll need more.”
She breathed out. “That’s fair. Thank you, Daniel. I?—”
Her next words were cut off by an alert from her smart watch. She glanced at the screen and groaned. “Owen has a doctor’s appointment today.”
“Cancel it.” Daniel’s brow furrowed. “Leaving the ranch is too dangerous.”
Her mind whirled. “If it was a check-up with his pediatrician, I would, but this is an appointment with his cardiac specialist. He needs to go.” Especially if she and Owen were removed from Silver Creek. It could be months before he could get a new appointment with another cardiologist. “It should be quick. An hour at most. His doctor is nearby, at Mercy Hospital. I strongly doubt anyone from?—”
She cut herself off from saying ‘the Iron Fist’ at the last minute. Ellie considered her options. “The chances of Mr. Broken Nose and his companion figuring out we have a doctor’s appointment is slim to none. We’ll be safe.”
“What about whoever hired those men?”
“Same.” She prayed that was true. It had to be. “I wouldn’t go unless it was important. Owen’s condition requires regular check-ins with his specialist in case a complication arises. We can’t skip it.”
Daniel exhaled slowly, his jaw tight. “Then I’m coming with you.”
SEVEN
Mercy Hospital was located halfway between Houston and Silver Creek. The bustling complex consisted of an emergency room, outpatient care, and doctors’ offices. Daniel had done a quick sweep of the area after they checked in, but the tension in his shoulders hadn’t eased.
He kept a steady eye on Ellie and Owen in the small play area across the waiting room. They were stacking wooden blocks. Owen was intensely focused on balancing one more piece on the growing tower. His brow furrowed with toddler determination, one hand holding fast to his tattered stuffed dog. Then, with a decisive swipe, he knocked the tower over and giggled.
Ellie laughed too, her head tilted back slightly, the soft sound chasing away some of the weight in Daniel’s chest. It was a sweet moment. Pure and unguarded. If he hadn’t been so on edge, Daniel might’ve smiled. Instead, he kept his voice pitched low as he pressed his cell phone to his ear.
“I don’t know her real identity. Not yet. I’m working on that.”
Texas Ranger Cole Donnelly exhaled a long breath on the other end. “So you’re asking me to come to your ranch to help guard a woman whose real name you don’t know? And a babywho's technically in state custody.” A pause. “You do realize your first call should’ve been to Child Protective Services?”