Page 50 of Traitor
“At least Hadleydidn’t look at me like I was crazy this time,” I comment, as we pull into my driveway.
“He better fucking not. Not after today. I’m going to go back into town and put some pressure on him once I’ve got you settled. You should also report what happened with your clothes.”
Uncle Bradley looks up as we walk in the door. Noting the look on my face, he quickly gets to his feet and crosses to us. “Peyton. Something happened. What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
I hold up a hand. “I’m fine, I’m fine. We had a little car trouble. Everything is okay. Ford, this is my Uncle Bradley, Uncle Bradley, this is Ford.”
Ford gives a nod, but I can tell he’s not really in the mood for pleasantries. “Sir. If you don’t mind, I’d like to get Peyton into bed. She got a little banged up.” Without waiting for an answer, he leads me through the open door of my bedroom.
“What kind of car trouble leaves you a little banged up?” Uncle Bradley demands. He hovers over the bed as Ford urges me under the sheets.
“The kind where my brakes went out and we had to make an emergency pit stop. Got any ice?” Ford asks.
Uncle Bradley gapes for a moment, then noticing my wince of pain, hurries to the kitchen.
“Be easy on him,” I tell Ford, who tucks me into the blankets like a child. “He’s been through a lot and he worries.”
“He’s not the only one.”
“Do you really think I should report what happened with the clothes? It could have been me being forgetful. Besides, we don’t know for sure that the two are related.”
The look he sends me makes me roll my eyes.
“We’re not going to take any chances, and I don’t want you staying here alone. Do you or your uncle own a gun?”
It would be useless to argue. “No, we don’t.”
“Then I’m staying here for the night.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“If you think I’m leaving you alone after what happened today, then you’re sorely mistaken.”
Uncle Bradley comes rushing back. He hands me the pack of ice and I press it against my bruise with a wince. “Thank you.”
“I think you should come home with me,” Uncle Bradley says, as he sits on the bedside opposite Ford. “Clearly there is something going on here. I’d like you to come home with me where I can keep an eye on you.”
I glare at the both of them. “Are you two conspiring against me? I’m not running away. Uncle Bradley, I appreciate your concern, but you have to let me take care of myself at some point. I’m not a child anymore and you can’t protect me from everything.”
“Tell him,” Ford orders.
“Tell me what?”
I wonder if I can lure Ford back to those pretty cliffs and throw him bodily over the edge. I take my uncle’s hands in mine. “That murder I told you about? We think the person responsible has been trying to hurt me.”
“Oh, Peanut.”
“The sheriff’s department has it under control. They’re coming back by tomorrow to interview me again.”
“I guess it’s a good thing I came,” he says. It’s basically an I-told-you-so, but considering what happened, I let it slide.
“I didn’t want you to worry, and it was something I needed to see through to the finish.”
“Are you sure you won’t reconsider coming home?” he asks.
I shake my head. “No, I don’t want to run away anymore. Besides, I like it here. I don’t want to leave yet.”
“Then, I’m staying, too. It’s too late to check in to a place since your young man is staying with you, but I’m not going to leave until I know your safe.”