Safe At Hawk's Landing. Rita Herron

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СКАЧАТЬ style="font-size:15px;">      “Some reporter named Gerald Ingram showed a picture of Charlotte in the hospital.”

      “What the hell?”

      “He announced that she was the only surviving witness.”

      A litany of curse words spewed from Lucas’s tongue. “That idiot bastard. He might as well have put a bullet in her head.”

      “I know. I’m sorry, man. Is there anything I can do?”

      “Just stay with Mom for a while.”

      They said goodbye just as Harrison pulled into the hospital parking lot.

      “What happened?” his brother asked as they parked and walked toward the entrance.

      Lucas relayed the news about the reporter. “I should have posted security at Charlotte’s door,” Harrison said.

      “I should have thought of it, too.” But they’d both been too anxious to track down that van and look for the kidnapped victims. “I’ll stay with her tonight,” Lucas offered. “Tomorrow we’ll assign a detail.”

      Harrison nodded, and they went inside and rode the elevator to the second floor. With that damn news report on his mind, Lucas scanned the halls and corridors in case one of the kidnappers returned to try and take out Charlotte.

      * * *

      CHARLOTTE WAS ROUSED from sleep again as footsteps echoed in the room. Then voices.

      “How’s she doing, Honey?”

      Harrison. She heard the smack of his lips as he kissed Honey, stirring other emotions inside her. She’d watched those lovebirds with envy the last couple of months.

      Harrison was lucky to have found a wonderful woman like Honey. She was lucky, too. Harrison seemed completely devoted to his wife.

      “She’s been resting some,” Honey said.

      “That reporter Gerald Ingram just aired the story that Charlotte survived.”

      This time, Lucas. His voice was slightly deeper than Harrison’s. And darker. Intimidating.

      “Oh, my God,” Honey said. “That’s not good, is it?”

      “Afraid not,” Harrison said grimly.

      Charlotte shifted, pushing herself higher on the pillow to prop up. The room blurred into darkness, but she sensed the presence of Honey and Harrison and Lucas.

      “I didn’t know he was a reporter,” Charlotte said. “He said he was a cop.”

      “Bastard,” Lucas said. “He plays dirty.”

      “It’s not your fault,” Harrison said. “We should have anticipated that he’d try to sneak in and prevented it.”

      “The nurse ran him out.” Charlotte ran a hand through her tangled hair. “You think one of those men will try to kill me?”

      An awkward tense silence followed.

      “You don’t have to answer that,” Charlotte said. “I guess that’s obvious.”

      “We aren’t going to let anything happen to you,” Honey said.

      “She’s right,” Lucas agreed.

      Harrison cleared his throat. “We’ll assign a guard to watch your room while you’re here.”

      “I’m going home as soon as possible,” Charlotte said. She hated hospitals.

      “I’ll stay with you when you come home,” Honey offered. “We can have a sleepover.”

      A footstep, then something rustled. “That’s not going to happen, Honey,” Harrison said brusquely.

      Another awkward silence, then whispering.

      “Is something wrong, Honey?” Charlotte asked.

      A heartbeat passed. “No, nothing’s wrong,” Honey said.

      “What’s going on, Harrison?” Lucas asked.

      “Maybe this isn’t the time,” Honey said in a low whisper.

      “For heaven’s sake, I may be blind, but I’m not deaf,” Charlotte said. “What’s wrong, Honey?”

      “Nothing’s wrong.” Honey’s hand brushed Charlotte’s arm. “I’m pregnant, Charlotte.”

      A light lifted inside Charlotte. “That’s wonderful, Honey. I’m so happy for you.”

      She tugged Honey into a hug, tears dampening her cheeks. Hers? Honey’s? Both.

      “Congratulations, brother,” Lucas said.

      She heard motion and realized the brothers must be hugging.

      “Have you told Mom?” Lucas asked.

      Harrison shook his head. “You’re the first to know.”

      Honey tucked a strand of Charlotte’s hair behind her ear. “I’m sorry, Charlotte, I know this isn’t the best time—”

      “Shh.” Charlotte hugged Honey again “This is wonderful timing. We need good news right now. And a baby...there’s nothing more exciting than knowing you’re having a little one.”

      “But you’ve been hurt—”

      “Hush.” Charlotte set Honey away from her, felt for her hands and cradled them between her own. “I’m happy for you. You’re going to be a great mother.”

      “She will be,” Harrison said. “Just like she’s a great wife. But it’s my job to protect her.”

      “You’re damn right it is,” Charlotte said with conviction. “And if having Honey near me puts her and the baby in danger, then take her someplace far away.”

      “That’s not necessary,” Harrison said. “But I do want her on the ranch.”

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