Staying in the shadows against the house, he worked his way toward them. Both dogs barked at the trees that lined the far side of the lane, where it curved toward Zane and Lottie’s house and the bunkhouse.
Jake shushed the dogs and listened for any sign that someone was out there. The faint snap of a twig set the dogs barking again. They inched closer to the trees.
“Go get it,” Jake commanded.
Both dogs took off into the trees. Though not trained attack dogs, they were good with cattle and knew when Jake said “go get it” they were to drive whatever he sent them after back toward him.
Jake waited for the dogs to return, which they did, but not before Jake heard an engine start near the highway. The black SUV, no doubt.
Ben was right.I’ve put everyone in danger.
Jake worked his way around the house and back to the patio. Both dogs returned to their spots on their respective doorsteps. The threat must be gone.
His mother opened the back door as he stepped up on the back deck. “What’s going on, Jake?”
Jake’s heart jumped into his throat.
“Geez, Mom. You scared me to death. You shouldn’t startle someone carrying a loaded gun.”
“And why are you carrying a loaded gun around in the dark?”
Jake didn’t want to worry her by telling her they’d had a prowler, but he’d never been good at lying, especially to his mom.
“There was someone out there, wasn’t there?” She saved him the trouble of having to come up with a convincing lie.
“Yeah. The dogs scared him away. I heard an engine starting up out by the highway.”
“Oh dear. You’d better call Robert and get me a gun.”
“I’m not giving you a gun, Mom.”
“Why not? I’m perfectly competent with guns, you know that.”
“It’s too dangerous. You are not standing guard with a gun. This guy is a murderer.”
“Well, at least let me take a gun to my room so I’ll be able to sleep tonight. If I have one in my room and you have one in your room, and Emily is between us, then we can keep her safe.”
“I’m not taking a gun to my room.”
“Well, whether you do or not, I am.”
“Mom, you don’t need to take a gun to bed with you. I’ll stand guard.”
His mom stepped so close Jake looked down his nose at her. “You can’t stand guard all night. You won’t be any good for Emily tomorrow.”
Am I that transparent?
His mother said the one thing she knew would make Jake change his mind. He needed to be there in case Emily needed him. Not just for her, but for himself.
“Fine.” He sighed as he put the safety on the shotgun and handed it to her. He pulled out his phone as he walked into his office to get another rifle.
When Robert arrived fifteen minutes later, he was glad his mother had returned to her room. He didn’t need a lecture from his older brother about letting their mother take a gun to bed.
Jake explained to Robert about the dogs barking and hearing an engine start. He also told him about what he and Ben had discussed. Not the part about Emily getting under his skin. He was sure Robert already knew that.
“Yeah, Ben called me,” Robert said. “I hate to say it, but I agree with him. It worries me because we don’t know to what lengths this guy will go and what or who he might consider acceptable collateral damage.”
“You think I should have let Detective McIntyre take her to the safe house?”
