Frank’s hand lifted, hesitated, then gently brushed a strand of hair from her face. “Thank you,” he whispered, the wordscarrying a weight that seemed to encompass far more than only checking on Tommy. “Before you see Tommy,” Frank added, “you should know that William’s organized a safe house for us to stay in. Come with us, Isabel. It’ll be better than staying at Kathleen’s cottage.”
“It’s not me they’re looking for, Frank. It’s you and Tommy. Besides, Kathleen and Lynda are home tonight. We can look out for each other.”
Frank didn’t move. “I don’t think you realize how serious this is, Isabel. Stay with us for one night. By tomorrow afternoon, we should know who’s responsible for shooting at us.”
Isabel shook her head. “I can look after myself, Frank, but thank you for caring about me.” As she brushed past him, their shoulders briefly touched. The contact sent a high-voltage jolt through Isabel. It didn’t have anything to do with static electricity or any other logical explanation. It was because she cared deeply for Frank and Tommy. So deeply, she couldn’t imagine what her life would be like if something had happened to them.
Before the tears in her eyes spilled down her cheeks, she went inside. Tommy wouldn’t understand why she was upset, and Frank was stressed enough without her adding to his issues.
With a forced smile, she sat on the sofa next to Tommy. “Hey there,” she said softly. “Your grandpa said you were asking for me.”
Tommy looked up at her with those serious blue eyes that were so like Frank’s. “Are you scared?” he asked simply.
She considered sugarcoating her answer, but Tommy deserved the type of honesty that meant something to an eight-year-old.
“I am scared,” she admitted. “But I’m also relieved that everyone is safe.”
Tommy nodded. “Grandpa says we have to go away for a while.”
Isabel’s heart sank, even though Frank had told her they were leaving. “That might be the safest thing right now.”
“But what about the bookstore? And our dinner next week? And the fishing trip Grandpa promised we’d take?”
Isabel gently tucked a stray curl behind Tommy’s ear. “The bookstore will still be here when you get back. And I promise we’ll have that dinner, and I bet your grandpa will still take you fishing. Sometimes plans just have to wait a little while.”
Tommy considered this, then looked at her with surprising perception. “Will you wait for us to come back?”
Isabel sighed. Would she wait? Should she? She barely knew Frank and had only begun to understand the complexity of his past.
“Yes,” she found herself saying. “I’ll be here.”
Tommy seemed satisfied with her answer, at least enough to reach for his mug of hot chocolate. “That’s good because Grandpa smiles more when you’re around.”
Before Isabel could say anything, Frank walked inside with William. Their expressions were serious as they conferred quietly by the door. Isabel could see the weight of whatever decision they’d reached settling on Frank’s shoulders.
“Tommy,” Frank said, crossing to the couch, “Agent William needs to talk to us about where we’re staying tonight. Can you pack your overnight bag? Just the important things, like we practiced.”
Tommy nodded and stood up. The fact that they’d practiced this scenario sent a chill through Isabel. How long had Frank been preparing for something like this?
“Can I take Fido?” Tommy asked, referring to his cuddly toy dog.
“Absolutely,” Frank assured him. “Fido is important.”
As Tommy headed upstairs, Frank turned to Isabel. The professional mask he’d been wearing for the police and the agents fell away, leaving him looking vulnerable.
He reached for her hands, holding them between his own. “I know I’ve already said this, but I’m truly sorry you got caught up in this.”
Isabel shook her head. “Don’t apologize. I’m just glad everyone’s all right.”
To her surprise, Frank wrapped his arms around her. The tight embrace felt more comforting than anything else tonight.
“I was so afraid,” he whispered against her hair. “When I heard the second shot, I was terrified you or Tommy might be hurt.” His arms tightened slightly. “If anything had happened to you, I’d never forgive myself.”
Isabel returned his embrace, feeling the slight tremor that ran through his body. “I’m fine,” she murmured. “We all are.”
He pulled back just enough to look into her face, his hands coming up to frame her cheeks. “I have to ask you something, and I need you to be completely honest.”
She nodded. It was easy to see how important Frank’s next question was to him.
