Cody nodded. “It was hard, and hurt, but we got free.”
The thought of either boy in a situation where they were cable-tied made her heart race, but she forced a smile and mouthed,Thank youto Arthur. “Looks like you guys have learnt a lot,” she said. “I’m going to head inside and make dinner.” And try not to completely freak out about Kurt.
“You should learn too, Mum,” Jordan said. “In case Dad is mean to you.”
She was too tired to concentrate now. Her heartbeat still hadn’t slowed to its normal pace. “Arthur can show me later.” When he told her all about what had happened. She checked the time. “You finish up here. I’ll take Cody home in half an hour.” She headed inside to prepare dinner.
It wasn’t until after Jordan had gone to bed that Gretchen asked Arthur about the afternoon. She set a mug of tea next to him and sat on the couch. “What did Kurt do?”
Arthur rubbed a hand over his face. “It was after we left Cody’s place. My leg fell off and while I was reattaching it, Kurt pulled up and offered Jordan a lift.”
Gretchen was careful not to let her expression change, but it was difficult. Arthur’s leg was a disadvantage. Kurt would target it to disable Arthur in any kind of fight.
“I told him no, and that I needed Jordan’s help to get around. Eventually he left.”
Smart. Making Kurt think he was less capable was a good strategy, but if Kurt was watching them all, he’d soon see that Arthur was extremely capable. “Why would Kurt make himself known like that?”
Arthur sipped his tea. “I think he was testing the waters. Trying to figure out what you’d told Jordan about him, and whether you’d told me.”
“How did Jordan react?”
“He was great. He said he’d promised you he’d help me, but he looked a little worried. I’m not sure Kurt noticed. He was too busy sizing me up.”
“I don’t like this.”
Arthur placed a hand on her knee. “I know. Jordan and Cody are great at hiding, and they’re much better at getting out of holds. By the end of the week, they should have all the tools they need to escape if Kurt gets to them.”
That only made her feel marginally better. The thought of Kurt kidnapping either child gave her chills. “Maybe I should stop working,” she said. “It’s almost the end of the season. I can be with Jordan when he’s not in school.”
Hurt crossed Arthur’s face. “I know my leg’s a disadvantage, but I will take care of Jordan.”
Appalled, Gretchen shuffled closer to him. “No. That’s not what I meant. I’d feel the same no matter who was with Jordan.” She sighed. “Having him out of my sight makes me nervous.”
“And Jordan will hate you hovering over him.”
“I know.” Her gut twisted and she sighed. “I feel so helpless.”
“I’ll protect Jordan with my life.”
The thought worried her. She didn’t want it to come to that.
But that was out of her control. “What can I do?”
“You can be vigilant. Report any contact with Kurt, or anything that seems odd to the police, document everything. With enough evidence, you might get a restraining order.”
“That won’t stop him.”
“No, but breaching it might get him thrown in gaol for a while.”
Fat lot of good that would do when he had others who could do his dirty work. Still, Arthur was trying to console her. “Thanks.” She finished her tea and took both their mugs into the kitchen to wash. Before she sat down again, she went to check on Jordan. He slept curled into a ball, the sheets clutched around him, and hugging the stuffed bunny he’d had since he was a baby.
Safe.
She brushed a kiss against his forehead, and he didn’t stir. Sleeping peacefully.
When she returned to the living room, Arthur was doing some exercises she’d given him.
“How are you finding it?” Gretchen asked.
