“Sure. Thank you.” He studied his now-closed injury.
The sincerity in his voice caught her unaware. He was thanking her?
“You saved my life, Scott.”
He looked up, his gaze predatory. “I promise, Millie, I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Chapter Twelve
Afternoon arrived before the police crime scene techs and coroner retreated from the property. Scott finished eating his lunch, his hair still damp from a shower as his mind calculated the steps necessary to ensure Millie’s safety.
A knock on the door had his body going cold. Mae, in her room needlepointing, remained safely out of the line of fire.
“We need weapons. Stay back and run if I tell you to.” He stood and stalked toward the kitchen door to find two nearly identical women beneath a bright pink-and-white polka-dotted umbrella.
“Hey,” the first said, looking beyond him to Millie. “The world has turned upside down! I heard there was a murder here earlier.”
Millie stood. “Oh, hi. I’ve been looking for you guys.”
“We know. June called us,” the other woman said. They were around Millie’s age with light brown hair, green eyes, and full pink lips. They appeared almost identical, but the one on the left was pregnant and at least a couple of inches taller than her sister, who had shorter hair and was a bit curvier.
“Come in, come in.” Millie gestured the women inside. “Scott Terentson, please meet Verna and Valerie Montgomery.”
Thank goodness he didn’t have to hunt them down. He moved to the side to allow them entrance. Verna shook out the umbrella and left it outside, leaning against the siding.
“What an adorable puppy,” Valerie said, instantly sliding forward to drop to her knees and pet Roscoe’s head. He obliged her by shuffling closer and resting his entire head on her knees. “Oh, he’s so sweet.”
“He’s an old soul,” Millie said. “Can I get you two anything to drink?”
“Coffee would be great,” Valerie said. She glanced at the croissants on the counter. “But that’s all. I’ve seen your aunt’s recipe and I’m trying to stay away from carbs.” She patted her rounded hip.
Verna sighed. “I’d love coffee but will have to stick with tea.” She rubbed her protruding belly. “Although I’m happy with carbs.”
“That’s because you never gain weight,” her sister muttered.
Scott leaned against the wall and surveyed them as Millie secured two mugs, taking out a tea bag for Verna.
Verna strode over and dropped onto a chair by the table as if she’d sat there a million times before. “Did a kill squad really come out here earlier today?”
Scott barely kept from rolling his eyes. Small town gossip always traveled fast.
“Kind of,” Millie said, handing the mugs to the women. “What have you heard?”
Valerie’s eyes widened. “That three men, all in black, tried to kill you.” Her gaze slid to Scott, but she didn’t continue.
Verna leaned forward. “Everyone is saying that you took out all three of them, Scott.” Her voice lowered. “Is it true?”
Scott didn’t answer.
Millie cleared her throat. “We shouldn’t talk about the attack until we know more. I don’t suppose you’ve heard anything about the identity of the guys with guns?”
The police hadn’t been very informative after taking their statements. Maybe the small town gossip mill would help. “It’d be great if we could find that out,” Scott added.
Valerie’s face pinkened. “I heard that the chief is still trying to identify the shooters. The officers did run the fingerprints but are being closemouthed about the results.” She rubbed her ear. “I’m friends with Liz Lathom, who’s dating Officer Locum. I can call her later. She loves to gossip.”
Scott turned his full charm on her. “That would be wonderful. Thank you.”
Her blush intensified.
