THREE

She needed to be careful not to reveal too much.

Ellie traced circles on Owen’s back, breathing in his baby powder scent.

He was here. With her. Safe and content.

But her mind couldn’t stop playing out all the ways the attack could have gone differently, couldn’t stop thinking about how close she came to losing this precious boy who’d captured her heart from the first moment she’d laid eyes on him.

Why God… why have You put me in this position?

It was a petulant question considering the good Lord above had spared her life along with Owen’s.

But Ellie was desperate for wisdom. She was walking a tightrope.

The men who’d attacked her needed to be caught, but how much could she say without raising more questions?

Daniel was already suspicious. Rightfully so.

Ellie might’ve been able to convince everyone in town—including the police chief—that she’d worked for a publisher before starting her career as a mystery writer, but it was all a lie.

A fabrication designed to keep her and everyone around her safe.

In actuality, before moving to Silver Creek, she’d been a Special Agent with the FBI.

A phantom ache spread from the bullet wound in her side.

The undercover operation had gone sideways without warning, leaving Ellie dying in a pool of her own blood.

The doctors said it was a miracle she survived.

But that miracle had come at a price. The criminal organization she'd been investigating had connections everywhere and a reputation for tying up loose ends.

A hit was ordered before she went into surgery.

By the time she came out of recovery, her death had already been reported to the media.

The Bureau hadn’t corrected the story.

Only a handful of people knew she was alive—her direct supervisor, the witness protection coordinator, and the surgeon who'd saved her life. To the rest of the world, Special Agent Elizabeth Conway had died that night. The Bureau had moved quickly, giving her a new identity. A new life.

And so, Ellie Brooks, the mystery writer, was born.

Today's attack wasn't connected to her past. She was sure of it. She’d be dead if it was. No, Owen was the target and while Ellie had a theory about why, suggesting it might raise Daniel’s suspicions even more.

The handsome Texas Ranger had noticed how precisely she'd described the attackers. She’d slipped up there.

A civilian would have struggled and been more vague.

But in the aftermath of the attack, in order to keep herself calm, she’d relied on her training.

Old habits died hard.

“Miss Brooks.” Daniel’s voice cut into her thoughts. His pen was still poised over his pad, his gaze steady on her as if he was trying to decipher a puzzle she hadn’t meant to offer. “You seemed lost in thought. Why don’t you share what’s running through your mind?”

“I was thinking about your question.”

“Who would want to kidnap Owen?”

Ellie nodded. She continued to rub Owen’s back gently, but purposefully let a little of the fear twisting her insides bleed into her voice. “I’ve read about baby trafficking rings while doing research for my books. They can be organized and are known to snatch kids in blitz-style attacks.”

Daniel was quiet for a long moment. “Despite what you may see on television crime shows, stranger abductions are incredibly rare. I’m not ruling out the possibility, but it’s more likely someone close to Owen is behind this. What do you know about his birth parents?”

“His mother died in childbirth and his father signed away his rights without ever meeting his son. Neither of them is responsible for this.”

“And their families?”

Frustration built like a storm surge in her chest. A part of her knew these questions were relevant—Daniel was right that stranger abductions were rare—but it was annoying to follow a path she already knew led nowhere.

“I don’t think either of Owen’s parents had good home lives, and so far, no one in Owen’s extended family has even requested to meet him.

They don’t care. Certainly not enough to hire two men to snatch him from a parking lot. ”

She sucked in a breath and calmed her voice. “Besides, if they wanted to raise him, all a family member would have to do is contact the caseworker. Family courts are partial to relatives. Unless the relative was unfit, Owen would be placed with his family.”

Daniel uttered a noncommittal sound and arched a questioning brow. “How do you know the perpetrators who attacked you were hired criminals?”

Oh, Marta Perez hadn’t raised a fool. Ellie forced herself to meet his gaze. “I don’t know for certain. It was just… an impression.”

The explanation sounded weak even to her own ears. Daniel's expression remained neutral, but something in his eyes suggested he wasn't convinced.

He didn’t press, not right away.

Instead, he studied her for a beat longer, then shifted in his chair and jotted something in his notebook.

The silence stretched out. Maybe he was attempting to rattle her?

See what else she might say to fill the silence?

It wouldn’t work. Ellie had used the same tactic herself many times and was comfortable staying quiet.

She kept her hand on Owen’s back as she studied the Texas Ranger across from her.

She’d known he was a problem from the moment he walked in.

Daniel had the kind of quiet authority that didn't need to announce itself.

Everything about him suggested competence and control, from his steady dark eyes that missed very little to the questions he asked.

His olive-toned skin was weathered just enough to suggest years in the sun, and his neatly trimmed dark hair carried a hint of silver at the temples.

He resembled Marta slightly, in the curve of his generous mouth and the way his brow furrowed when he concentrated, but unlike his mother’s extroverted nature, Daniel was far more reserved.

A product of his job, perhaps. It made him harder to read than most. Even now, Ellie couldn’t quite tell what he was thinking.

Daniel glanced up and met her gaze. Suspicion darkened their color to a rich brown, but when he spoke, his tone was mild. “How long have you had Owen?”

“Since birth,” she said. “He was placed with me directly from the hospital.”

“Any unusual visitors at the house? Suspicious vehicles in the neighborhood? Calls or messages that felt… off?”

She shook her head. “Nothing.”

“Has he been in the news recently? Featured in any public events?”

“No. I’m careful about things like that.” She had to be. For her own sake.

Daniel leaned back slightly. His posture relaxed, but Ellie wasn’t fooled. He was still watching her, still filing away every word. “Something made you think the perpetrators were hired. What gave you that impression?”

Ellie hesitated. They’d moved like professionals.

One had gone for Owen, the other for her.

It hadn’t been messy or frenzied—not like something driven by emotion.

It had been calculated and controlled. But she couldn’t share all those observations, so she picked one that seemed reasonable for a mystery writer.

“It was their focus.” Ellie purposefully creased her forehead, as if she was figuring out how to explain what she’d instinctively felt.

“They didn’t say a word. They didn’t grab my purse, didn’t ask for the keys.

One reached straight for Owen, while the other came at me.

It felt coordinated. Like they knew exactly what they were there for. ”

Daniel inclined his head thoughtfully. “And you think that kind of coordination points to a trafficking ring?”

“I think it’s a possibility.”

Again, he made that annoying noncommittal sound. Ellie felt that surge of frustration all over again. The first 24 hours of the investigation were critical. If Daniel spent his time focused on Owen’s family or on her, he wouldn’t find the culprits responsible for this attack.

Before she could say anything, Roy hung up his phone and hurried across the room.

“We’ve got a lead on the van. A pharmacy in the next county was robbed by two men wearing ski masks.

They took the cash from the register and some medical supplies.

I’m heading over to the pharmacy to interview the witnesses.

” He turned to Daniel. “Want to join me?”

Daniel flipped his notebook closed. “I’ll stay here and make sure Miss Brooks and Owen get home safely.”

Oh no. He was going to use that opportunity to dig into her background. She was already on edge after the attack. The last thing she needed was a too-smart-for-his-own-good Texas Ranger digging for details about her past.

Maybe he was more like Marta than she’d given him credit for. Both were relentless when they noticed something wasn’t right. Ellie had convinced the trusting Marta, along with everyone else in town, that she was exactly who she said, but she instinctively knew she’d met her match in Daniel Perez.

“There’s no need to go out of your way, Ranger Perez.” Ellie shifted to the edge of the window seat, trying hard not to jostle Owen too much. “We’ll get home just fine on our own in my vehicle.”

Daniel’s hand landed on her elbow as she rose, a steadying counterbalance to the weight of the child in her arms. His touch was warm, his hold gentle and yet firm. Ellie’s heart skipped a beat as her startled gaze lifted to his.

He smiled. “Daniel.”

“Excuse me?” She was having trouble pulling together a thought while he was still touching her.

“You can call me Daniel.” He released her elbow and stepped back. “Unfortunately, your SUV can’t be moved until the crime scene is processed. I’m happy to take you and Owen myself.”

“I can call someone.” Her gaze shifted to Roy. “Or I’m sure an officer or a sheriff’s deputies will give me a lift.”

“Everyone’s busy.” Roy clapped a hand on Daniel’s shoulder.

“This lawman is the only one not assigned to a task. Easier for everyone if he gives you a lift.” The chief shot her a concerned look.

“I know half a dozen people you can call to drive y’all home, but I’d feel a lot better knowing Daniel made sure you got there safe and sound.

Save this old man from the extra worry, would ya, hon? ”

Normally, Ellie would be irritated at being handled, but she sensed genuine worry in Roy’s voice. She knew well enough when she’d been beaten. Besides, causing a fuss might make Roy wonder why she wasn’t accepting help. Then she’d have two law enforcement officers digging into her past.

With a tight smile, Ellie nodded. “All right. Thank you, Ranger Perez. I’d appreciate a ride home.”

As if he detected her brewing annoyance at being trapped into accepting his offer, Daniel’s lips curved into a half-smile. He collected the diaper bag from the floor. “I know we just met, but my mother calls herself Owen’s godmother. There’s no need for formality. Please call me Daniel.”

He was trying to lower her guard. She knew the game well and was tempted to ignore his request, but that would be more than rude. Instead, she gave him a saccharine smile. “You can call me Ellie.”

Those handsome lips twitched with amusement, and then he gestured toward the door. “After you, Ellie.”

His voice was deep and carried a rhythm she couldn’t quite place. Not distinctly Texan, not fully Latino either. Smooth and low. A little smoky. Ellie liked it, and that irritated her beyond measure.

“Wait.” Roy crossed the nursery class, opened a closet door, and removed a car seat. “You’ll need this. I’ll let Mrs. Jenkins know you’ll be borrowing it for a few days.”

Warmth spread through Ellie. This is why she loved Silver Creek. No one hesitated a moment to help a fellow neighbor. “Thank you for thinking of it, Roy.” She fell into step beside him as they left the nursery. “How long before I can get my SUV?”

“You’ll have it tomorrow morning. I’ll have your window replaced, and then one of my officers will drive it over to your house.”

Roy held open the main door for her, giving Ellie a momentary flashback of the moments before the attack.

Her breath hitched, and she hugged Owen tighter against her.

Automatically, her gaze scanned the parking lot.

A few law enforcement officers lingered, but most of the crowd behind the yellow crime scene tape had dispersed. Still, a shiver raced down her spine.

She felt exposed. Were there eyes on her? Or was it her imagination?

Ellie hadn’t touched a gun since being shot, but right now, she wished for her trusty Glock.

As if he sensed her fear, Daniel stepped alongside her so that she was flanked between him and Roy as they crossed the lot to a Ford Explorer marked with official law enforcement decals.

With surprisingly quick efficiency, Daniel secured the car seat.

Perhaps he’d had a lot of practice. He had scads of nieces and nephews.

Roy lightly touched Ellie’s shoulder before she got into the vehicle. “If you have any trouble tonight, call the station. I’ll have my night-duty officers make extra loops in your neighborhood, so don’t be concerned if you spot them coming and going.”

His words were meant to be reassuring, but they only heightened Ellie’s concern.

Why had Owen been targeted? She felt strongly they were hired guns—maybe part of a criminal enterprise—but her gut instinct wasn’t proof.

There was no guarantee the danger was over.

Not until the perpetrators were caught. And maybe not even then.

She worried at her bottom lip. “Please let me know if you make an arrest.”

“You’ll be one of my first calls.”

She’d have to be satisfied with that. Ellie carefully laid Owen down in the car seat and strapped him in.

The little boy didn’t so much as sigh. He was completely out.

She settled in the seat next to him and tucked back one of his runaway curls, her chest tightening with emotion.

Even in his sleep, Owen held fast to his trusted stuffed dog, Scout.

The tender moment was broken as Daniel slid into the driver's seat and turned back to face her. “All strapped in?”

“Yep. Ready to go.”

As he fired up the engine, she mentally braced herself for the questions that would come. Somehow, during this car ride, she had to convince Daniel that he needed to focus his attention on the men who tried to kidnap Owen, and not on her.

Her baby’s life could depend on it.