The Cradle Conspiracy. Christy Barritt

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       TWO

      All Sienna could think about was Colby. She needed to see him for herself. To know that he was okay.

      It didn’t matter that her limbs were a quivering mess. That tears streamed down her cheeks. That she was shaken to her core.

      All that mattered was this child who wasn’t even hers. Colby was her responsibility until Anita returned, and the boy had quickly gained a place in her heart.

      She darted past the displaced dresser. Around the cracked door frame. Through her once comforting, safe home. Chilly summer air hit her as she stepped onto the porch.

      She was halfway across her lawn when someone jerked her to a stop. She lurched her head around and saw Devin standing there.

      Devin.

      Her handsome neighbor who never spoke. Or smiled. Or even waved. He had, however, just saved her life.

      “Are you okay?” He studied her with his gaze, something close to worry lingering in his eyes. His chest rose and fell rapidly with exertion. What had happened?

      “I’m fine,” she gasped, realizing she was breathless herself. “Where’s the intruder? Did you catch him?”

      “He had a car waiting for him. He got away.”

      Her spirits sank so quickly that her stomach ached. That man was still out there. That meant she and Colby were still in danger. “I need to see Colby.”

      “Wait a minute.” Devin didn’t release her arm yet, and his intense gaze remained on her. “Take a few deep breaths.”

      “What? Why?” Had he lost his mind? Sienna needed to see the child she’d been entrusted to take care of.

      Devin leveled his gaze with her, his voice surprisingly reassuring. “The baby is okay. But you need to calm down before you take him or you’ll frighten him.”

      Sienna started to argue but stopped herself. Devin was right. She was a mess right now, and her legs might turn to gelatin at any minute. She needed to get herself together.

      With Devin’s hand still gripping her arm, she closed her eyes. Inhaled deeply. Exhaled.

      Sienna repeated the process before she opened her eyes, feeling more collected.

      “Thank you,” she muttered, her gaze fluttering up to meet Devin’s.

      “I’ll walk you over.” Devin kept a hand on her arm as they crossed the street.

      He deposited her at the front door of the Wilsons’ house just as the cops pulled up. He squeezed her arm and murmured a few more reassurances before meeting the officers and explaining what had happened.

      But Sienna hardly heard any of it. No, the door opened, and her gaze fell on Colby as he rested in Mrs. Wilson’s arms.

      Colby.

      Sweet Colby.

      Her heart melted into a puddle of relief.

      Thankfully, the boy seemed calm and peaceful as he hugged a stuffed bunny rabbit. But as soon as he saw Sienna, he reached his chubby little arms out toward her. Just what she’d been waiting for.

      She took the boy into her embrace and held him close—but not close enough to scare him. As soon as the clean scent of baby shampoo and lotion filled her, her heart rate slowed even more.

      He was okay. They were okay. For now.

      But what if that man came back? Sienna would think about that more later. Right now, she wanted to concentrate on Colby and getting warm.

      “Hello, little one,” she murmured.

      Tears filled her eyes as the boy rested his head on her shoulder.

      He was okay, she told herself again.

      Thank goodness.

      Things could have turned out a lot differently.

      Thankfully, Devin had shown up when he did.

      But Sienna knew this was far from over.

      The break-in hadn’t been random. No, someone had specifically wanted Colby, and Sienna had no idea why.

      Did this have something to do with Anita’s disappearance?

      She knew the likely answer was yes.

      Now СКАЧАТЬ