Her Baby's Protector: Saved by the Lawman / Saved by the SEAL. Margaret Daley

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       FOUR

      Having overslept, Kate hurried down the stairs to start breakfast before Rachel and Jamie awakened. She was glad they both had gotten needed rest. It had taken her over an hour to fall asleep, which would account for sleeping through the alarm.

      When she peeked into the living room, expecting to see Chase and Mac, it was empty. The only thing that had finally allowed her to doze off was the thought they were downstairs protecting Jamie, Rachel and her. Did something happen?

      For a moment, panic seized her as though she were in a tug-of-war again with her attacker. But she quickly squashed the fear. Chase was probably patrolling through the house. She hastened through the vacant rooms, then returned to the foyer to see if the alarm was still on. It wasn’t.

      Her heartbeat picked up with each second that passed. She crossed to the dining room window and peered between the slats in the blinds. Chase had Mac on a leash and was talking with Todd in the front yard. His partner handed Chase what looked like photos. Of Hammer’s house? The getaway car? Another crime scene?

      She started to go outside to see, but halfway to the door she decided not to. She needed to get breakfast ready. She’d promised Chase a special one, and she intended to deliver. It might be about another case. If it was concerning Jamie’s attempted kidnapping yesterday, Chase would tell her when he came inside.

      She walked to the kitchen and began preparing a quiche lorraine. After it was in the oven, she made coffee then sliced up strawberries, a cantaloupe and a pineapple then put them in the refrigerator. When she glanced at the clock over the stove, she realized it was well after eight o’clock. The alarm company had promised to be here by nine-thirty. Only an hour away. After what happened yesterday, she’d prefer not having anyone here, but the window and the alarm hooked to it had to be fixed.

      “Why the frown?”

      Chase’s voice coming from the kitchen entrance startled her. She whirled around, laying her splayed hand over her chest. She hadn’t heard him come into the house. How was she going to protect her son when she couldn’t even notice intruders?

      “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

      With her heartbeat thumping against her rib cage, she waved her hand in the air. “It was no big deal. I should have been listening more carefully. You might be used to being super vigilant. I’m not.”

      “You should be. You’re a judge involved in the criminal system.”

      “I don’t think of family court in the same way as criminal court.”

      “You should. When it comes to the family, emotions can be very heated and long-lasting. It becomes personal.”

      “You’re right. My goal is always to protect the children and do what I can to keep the family together. When those are conflicting goals, the child’s welfare comes first.” She took plates down from the cabinet and crossed to the table.

      “Can I help? I may not cook, but I know how to set the table.”

      “Sure. We’re having quiche, fruit and cinnamon toast. Jamie loves it. I’m going to check on Jamie and Rachel. She should be up by now. Jamie probably is, too.”

      “Before you go, I want to show you copies of some pictures that were found at Hammer’s house in the garage. We’re hoping you can tell us when and where all of them were taken.”

      “Any news concerning Hammer?”

      “No. Todd is checking with the neighbors about security cameras then he’ll join us.”

      “Great. I have enough breakfast for him, too, if he wants any.”

      “Knowing my partner, he won’t turn down a meal.”

      “Where’s СКАЧАТЬ