Page 23 of Rescued Dreams

He’d thought he was making inroads a couple of years ago when she agreed to dinner and a couple of other dates. Now that he looked back, it was more as if she’d been testing the waters. Testing him. Seeing if she was comfortable. Baby steps.

As if she’d been hurt in the past and wasn’t confident enough to open up and risk it happening again.

Now that he’d seen a little more over the past week, he thought it might be something far worse. Whatever it was could very well be the reason it seemed like Truck 14 was suddenly the target of attacks. Or even Amelia herself.

If she hadn’t been demoted, he would probably have never seen beneath the surface. She’d cracked a little the last few days, and he didn’t like it. He wanted to help her. But Ridge couldn’t try to swoop in and be her savior. That was the Lord’s job.Help me figure out what to do. How to help her.

Kane stepped close and spoke low. “What did you see?”

“Two guys.” Ridge folded his arms. A few of the others had gathered around. Bryce and Eddie, Della and their chief, Macon. “They had her on the ground. One of them spoke to her, but I don’t know what he said. She was pretty freaked.”

Macon said, “The cops are sending a couple of officers. I’ll go check the security feeds and see what we can see.”

Bryce nodded. “I’ll meet the cops, and we’ll find you. What are we doing about Truck? They still have eight hours on their shift.”

“I’ll call and get a floater to replace Amelia for the rest of the shift. She’s done for today.” Macon wandered off, looking as unhappy about this as Ridge.

The others dispersed.

Kane didn’t move. “She’s in danger?”

“You were looking for a job.”

Kane grinned. “Protection detail? Turns out I’ve got plenty of experience with that.”

“She’s never gonna go for it.”

“Maybe she doesn’t have to know.”

Ridge winced. “That’s not a good idea.”

“Maybe you don’t have to know.”

“I know.”

“You do? I’m leaving.” Kane clapped him on the shoulder. “I’ll see you later, maybe. Gotta do a thing. See a guy…about the thing. Find my girl. Hang out.”

Right. “I know what you’re going to do.”

Namely, sit in his car until Amelia left for the day, and then follow her so he could watch out for her. Gather intel on Ridge’s coworker. The woman he’d had a thing for all this time. For far too long.

Ridge shook his head. “Maybe I should’ve given up the idea of me and Amelia a long time ago. Hanging on like this isn’t healthy. I’m spinning in circles, putting my life on hold for a woman.”

“Hmm. Turns out I know what that’s like as well.” Kane stuck his hands in his jeans pockets, his elbows splayed out. “Hanging on, friends for years. Working together. Wanting more but knowing it’s not the right time.”

Ridge said, “I know you do.”

“‘I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in His word I put my hope.’”

“I’m not waiting for Him,” Ridge pointed out. “I’m waiting for Amelia.”

Kane smiled. “But where is your hope? Is it in her, or is it in Jesus?”

“Ouch. Fine.” Ridge blew out a breath. “Do whatever you’re gonna do. I need to finish my shift.”

Bryce walked over from the curb with Anthony Thomas, a local PD officer, and Olivia Tazwell.

“Don’t worry, I will do whatever I’m gonna do.”