Page 10 of Unexpected Danger (Mountain Justice #2)

Would he be back? Who was it? She aimed the gun at the closed bedroom door.

When no one attempted to open it, she lowered the gun and lifted the phone, her fingers like jelly, as nausea rose in her throat. Finally, she punched in the number.

“911, what is your emergency?”

“There’s a—there’s a man in my house.”

She fingered the gun while giving the operator her address.

“Officers are en route.”

Panic surged through her, and her heart leaped from her throat. Adrenaline coursed through her as she held the phone in one hand and her loaded pistol in the other. She again aimed it at the door.

She readied herself. If he attempted to get in…

But, no, she couldn’t shoot someone, could she?

“No one ever wants to shoot someone. No one ever wants to take a life.” Mr. Brenneman’s words from the situational awareness class rustled through her mind. “But if your life is in danger and you have absolutely no other option, then you might have to do so.”

Her eyes fluttered open. The man was gone, but the fear remained.

The 911 operator informed her the officers had arrived, and Londyn walked through the fog of terror to the front door.

The next day at work, Jasmine and Dustin were, of course, supportive, and Detective Rivas said he’d visit BJ Nuss again.

The prints came back inconclusive. It didn’t surprise Londyn. This guy knew what he was doing well enough to know to wear gloves and disposable paper slippers on his feet.

“I’m here for you, Londyn,” said Dustin, offering her a donut from the box he’d brought to work.

“Thank you. It’s just so scary.”

“This Nuss guy is a lunatic. How did he get into your house?”

“That’s what I’d like to know. The police said there was no forced entry. There’s a padlock button I have to manually press to lock, which I did.”

Dustin patted her on the arm. “Maybe you forgot,” he said quietly.

“No, I know I locked it.” Hadn’t she? Hadn’t she double-checked like she always did?

“If you want, I’ll follow you home tonight and check things out before you go in.”

He was such a sweet guy. “Thank you, but I don’t want you to go through the trouble. One of the officers is going to do a drive-by and a perimeter check.”

“If you’re sure.”

“I am, but thank you.”

Dustin moved closer, his breath tickling her cheek. “I care about you, Londyn. I know this hasn’t been easy, but I’m here for you. And if that guy hurts you, he’ll have me to deal with.”

His protective nature should reassure her, so why did she still feel uneasy?

Brodie was always grateful that at Mom’s house, it was all-you-can-eat. He rubbed his stomach after a tasty meal of lasagna, salad, and cookies for dessert.

“Guess what, Uncle Bro?”

“What’s that, Xander?”

“The baby in Mom’s tummy is going to be a boy.”

“Oh, really?” Brodie knew otherwise, but wouldn’t dampen the boy’s enthusiasm. “How do you know?”

Roarke stood behind Mila, nuzzling her neck, and Brodie shoved aside a twinge of envy. That could have been him and Londyn had she not broken his heart.

“Because I don’t want a sister,” declared Xander.

“Why not?”

“Because some of my friends at the homeschool co-op have baby sisters and they cry all the time.” He folded his arms across his chest. “No one can get any sleep.”

“Baby boys can cry all the time, too. Just ask Grammie.”

Roarke chuckled. “You don’t even have to ask Grammie. I can tell you that your Uncle Brodie cried all the time when he was a baby.”

“You were two. How would you know?” Brodie slugged his brother in the arm. “At least I didn’t cry all the time over food.”

Xander wrinkled his nose. “Over food?”

“Yeah, your dad cried all the time because there was no more food because he ate it all.”

It was Roarke’s turn to slug Brodie, and they proceeded to playfully roughhouse. Sure, Roarke was taller and thicker, but Brodie was just as broad-shouldered, muscular, and fit. He overheard Mila ask, “How did you do it with four boys, Aileen?”

Mom laughed. “I sent them outside.”

“I’m excited to have a little girl, and now even more so.”

Xander, who had joined in the roughhousing, stopped and looked at his mom and grandma. That distracted Roarke and enabled Brodie to get in the last playful jab. “Don’t underestimate the little brother,” he said.

They were about to continue when Xander tapped on Mila’s arm. “I’m not having a brother?”

Mila sat on the couch and gestured for her son to join her. She put an arm around him. “No, sweetie. Mommy and Daddy found out recently that we’re having a baby girl.”

“Not a brother?” Xander scowled.

“No, not a brother.”

Xander’s shoulders slumped. “But I put in the request for a brother.”

Everyone in the room laughed, and Roarke took a seat beside Mila on the couch. “You’re going to be an amazing big brother, Xander.”

“And very protective of your baby sister. She’ll be blessed to have a big brother who looks after her.”

Xander perked up. “I can do that. I can make sure she’s safe.

” He put a finger to his chin and gazed up at the ceiling.

“I can make sure no bad bugs come by her, and I can share my bug collections with her. Do you think she’ll like bugs?

Kit’s little sister is boring and only likes babydolls.

Kit had to have a tea party with her once.

” A look of horror crossed Xander’s face.

“Mommy, am I going to have to have tea parties? Because I don’t like tea. ”

That caused a round of chuckles, and the topic continued until Mom brought up another matter. “I heard from Grayson yesterday.”

“How is he doing?” Brodie attempted to shove aside the bad taste in his mouth.

“He’s doing well. As I shared previously, he’s working on the police force in Denver.”

“That must be exciting,” said Roarke, although his voice lacked enthusiasm.

“I think he’s ready for a change. That’s what I needed to speak with you about, Brodie. Didn’t you mention there was a vacant spot at the police department?”

“Vacant spot, yes, but it’s not for patrol like what Grayson’s doing. It’s a detective position. Besides, I don’t think Grayson is planning to return here. Not after…”

Mom held a finger to her lips, the silent admonishment she’d used since they were kids when she needed to say something important.

Brodie stopped talking. “Forgiveness is something we, as Christians, are called to do, and I know Grayson left suddenly after your dad died and hasn’t done the best job of staying in touch. ”

Brodie and Roarke simultaneously snorted.

“Be that as it may, he is your brother and he is my son.” Mom’s voice shook. “Brodie, can you send him the details about the detective position and put in a good word for him?”

“I don’t know anything about his work ethic as a cop, Mom.”

“I’m sure it’s the same strong work ethic he had working on the ranch all those years.”

Brodie could press the issue, but wouldn’t. It wasn’t worth upsetting Mom, and she’d suffered enough losing her husband and Danny, and in a way, Grayson. “All right. I’ll talk to the chief about it and get you the details so you can forward them to Grayson.”

“I’d appreciate it.” Mom had that look in her eyes she got when she was covertly demanding a request be obeyed.

“Okay. I’ll also reach out to him.” He caught Roarke’s eye. They shared the same sentiment about their prodigal little brother.