Page 31

“Polly!”

The shout sliced through her panic. A familiar bark followed.

“Pirate, go!”

Before she could spin around, Pirate bounded up, his big brown eye full of devotion, his tail wagging as if the world hadn’t just tilted off its axis. She dropped to her knees with a sob, burying her face in his fur, clutching him as if he could chase away the shadows clinging to her.

And then she saw him.

Daniel was striding toward her, stocking cap pulled low on his forehead, his broad shoulders cutting through the curtain of snow. His gaze locked on hers, unreadable but fierce, and something inside her gave way. She surged to her feet, closing the distance in three quick steps before launching herself into his arms. He caught her hard, lifting her clear off the sidewalk as though she weighed nothing.

“Got you,” he murmured, voice rough with both promise and demand. He carried her across the sidewalk and through the vestibule doors, shielding her from the cold and from everyone’s curious stares.

There were a few gasps about the dog trotting into the clinic and circling around them, but Polly could only focus on one thing. “You came back.”

“Of course, I came back. Thought I needed some quiet time to regroup, but it just made me more edgy worrying about you. I was keeping watch on the clinic from my truck when I saw you run outside.” After ordering Pirate to sit, he set her on her feet only long enough to steady her before running his hands up and down her arms, brushing away the snow and instilling his warmth. “Now talk to me. What the hell happened?”

“A patient brought this to me.” Polly shoved the crumpled note into his palm. She watched his jaw harden as his one good eye scanned the words. His fingers flexed against the paper, and a dark curse rumbled from his throat.

“This is going to the cops, not staying with you.” He shoved the note into his pocket, along with his gloves, and cupped the side of her face, forcing her gaze up to his. “You’re not alone, Sunshine. Not anymore. Whoever’s doing this—he’s going to regret ever putting his hands on a pen, much less thinking about touching you.”

Her throat tightened, tears pricking her eyes. She slipped her hand inside the front of his coat and pressed her palm against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath the layers of wool and flannel. He was real. Solid. The only thing holding her together in that terrifying moment.

“I’m not letting him get near you,” Daniel swore, his voice low and lethal. His hand covered hers, anchoring her to him. “Not while I’m breathing.”

Polly swiped the moisture from her eyes, conscious of the curious glances from the patients and staff who’d seen her rush back inside with Daniel. She straightened her spine, drawing in a steadying breath. The clinic wasn’t the place to fall apart, and certainly not in front of the patients. People here needed reassurance, not a nurse who looked like she might shatter.

“I’m fine,” she told the receptionist with a smile that felt forced. “Everything’s fine now. Nothing to worry about. Just a…personal matter.” She touched Daniel’s arm and leaned close, her voice low. “We can’t let this spook everyone. They already have enough to be afraid of in this neighborhood.”

Daniel’s jaw flexed, but he gave a sharp nod. His hand still rested protectively on the small of her back, his heat a steady anchor. “Then I’ll be the one worrying,” he muttered. “That’s my job now.”

Before she could argue, her attention zeroed in on the young woman who had delivered the envelope. She’d slipped into a chair in the waiting room, clutching a tissue and staring at them. “I’m so sorry,” the woman whispered. “I have an ex who’s bad news, too. I didn’t know the letter would upset you. I thought it was a love letter—something sweet.” She gestured toward Daniel. “But I can see now you’re with him. And he’s not the guy who talked to me.”

Daniel crouched beside her, his tone gentler but edged with authority.

“Ma’am, I need to ask you about the man who gave you that note. Did you get a good look at him?”

The woman shook her head, biting her lip. “Not really. He wore a cap like yours and a scarf over the bottom half of his face. An insulated hoodie. I couldn’t see his hair.”

“What about skin tone? Height? Anything?”

“Pale,” she whispered. “His cheeks were sunburned or windburned—like he spent a lot of time outside. Shorter than you, but not short. Nothing that stood out.” Pirate came up to sit beside the woman and rested his head in her lap. Her fingers reached out to settle on Pirate’s head and the scruffy dog leaned into the caress. “You have a good dog.”

“Pirate’s the best,” Daniel agreed, but kept pushing for information. “What else can you tell me?”

“He said some things. He described her.” She darted an anxious glance toward Polly. “Your smile. Your eyes. He knew you. He said you were his girl. I asked him why he didn’t just deliver it himself, but he said he wanted it to be a surprise. I should have known something was wrong.”

Polly’s stomach lurched. She wanted to deny it, to claim she had no idea who this man was. But the note, the persistence—it was undeniable. “I’m sorry he put you in the middle of this.”

Daniel’s expression darkened, a storm gathering. He stood slowly, unfolding to his full, intimidating height. “Thank you, ma’am. That helps. Pirate can sit with you for a few minutes if you like.” She nodded and resumed her petting. Polly was relieved to see the woman’s breathing even out. The stress and guilt couldn’t be good for her baby. Daniel cupped Polly’s elbow and pulled her away, lowering his voice to make their conversation private. He pulled his phone from his pocket. “I’m reporting this to Joel. You’re looping in your family, too. The more people watching out for you, the better.”

“Daniel—” she began, torn between gratitude and the instinct to downplay her problems and keep her loved ones from finding out just how much trouble the baby of the family had gotten into.

“No arguments.” He shrugged off his coat, draping it across the back of a chair. His khaki knit sweater beneath pulled taut across his shoulders as he lowered himself into a seat by the front windows. His good eye tracked every movement outside like a hawk on watch. “I’m staying.”

The words landed like an immovable weight—an oath, a promise, a line drawn in the snow outside.

Polly pressed a hand to her chest, forcing another smile for the patients who were now peeking toward them with open curiosity. “Everything’s fine,” she said again, her voice steady. But her heart was racing for a new reason. Because with Daniel settled into her everyday world, she felt safer than she had in years…and her heart felt more vulnerable than ever.