On cue, Connor asked, “What sort of errand are you running? You’ve been gone for two hours.”
“Dad, I’m at Griffin’s house.” The silence was deafening. Foolishly, she added, “You remember Griffin Marks. Don’t you, Dad? Well, I’m at his house. Just talking.”
Griffin rolled his eyes.
Connor said, “Should I break out the chocolates or the party hats?” He knew she overdid the chocolate whenever she was sad.
“Definitely the latter.”
“Yeehaw. I might break out the Scotch too.”
“No! Your stomach doesn’t need more excitement tonight.”
“Rae, I hate when you’re bossy.”
As she was hanging up, Griffin fetched her coat. He placed the gun in one pocket and the bullets in the other.
“No arguing.” He guided her arms into the sleeves. “Go home, get some rest. We both need it. I’ll call you tomorrow after I talk to my niece.”
“That would be great. Thank you.”
“You don’t need to thank me, Rae. I’m happy to help.” He brushed a kiss across her lips. “Try not to worry.”
Chapter 31
Snow pattered against the windshield as Rae turned onto the farm’s long, winding driveway.
In the distance, the house was a flickering dot. Behind the snow-crusted dwelling, colorful lights glowed.
Rae’s heart lifted. Mom, are you looking down from heaven? Is Lark with you? Your twinkly lights . . . Dad turned them on for poker night.
The headlights bobbed. Gently, she eased off the gas. In the wet snow, she noticed a new set of tire tracks.
Had Quinn run out for snacks? If he and Connor planned on late-night poker with midnight tacos, she was begging off. Like Griffin, she had a lot to think about. Where to store a gun in the house. Whether or not to share Griffin’s concerns with her father.
Whether she’d have a future with Griffin. Much had changed in two short hours. She needed a good night’s sleep to sort herself out.
She was reaching for the garage door opener when her heart lurched.
Tire tracks rutted the lawn. Rammed against the maple tree, a blue truck glinted in the moonlight.
The door to the house hung open.
The car fishtailed as she slammed on the brakes. It came to a halt. Rae was out and through the living room in seconds.
In the kitchen, playing cards were scattered across the floor. A chair was on its side by the wall. Whoever’d jumped out of their seat, they’d done so in a hurry.
Lying prone near the sink, her father tried to get up.
“Dad!”
A thread of blood ran down his chin. As she heaved him into a sitting position, he winced.
“Dad, are you hurt? Is anything broken?” She wasn’t sure if he could stand.
He pushed her away. “Rae, they’re out back. We heard a racket outside, then Mik stormed into the house—I forgot to lock the door when you left. He beat Quinn awfully bad. I don’t know how the boy got away.”
Frantic, she glanced toward the living room. Her purse was in the car. She’d dropped her phone into her purse.
Teeth chattering, she fell back on her bottom. Dug inside her coat pocket, found the weapon.
Her father paled. “Where’d you get a gun?”
On autopilot, she filled the clip. Snapped it into place, and Connor flinched.
The dog was scrabbling at the mudroom door. Barking and then scrabbling some more, determined to get outside to protect her master. Rae pushed Shelby back. The last thing she needed was a dog injured during the fray.
Beneath Hester’s lights, the snow glistened. There were footprints everywhere. Proof of a struggle, with no obvious winner. Rae’s stomach overturned at the speckling of blood visible beneath the first tree. The area near the barn was also lit brightly. The center acreage lay in darkness. Mik was approaching the shadows.
Dragging his unconscious son. Quinn’s legs cut grooves in the snow as they moved forward.
Dread ran hot in her veins. “Mik—stop where you are!” Rae willed her pulse to slow.
A tense moment. His fist was tight on the collar of his son’s sweatshirt. Pivoting, Mik spotted her. He swayed slightly.
Then he began dragging Quinn back in her direction.
“I’m warning you—stop where you are. Let Quinn go.”
“Don’t tell me what to do,” he shouted back.
His retort was slurred. Rae trembled. How to deal with a man under the influence? He’d never listen to reason. Not in the state he was in.
Willing herself forward, she paused beneath the fourth tree. The lights were brighter here. The glaring ribbons of gold and green fell across her. With her right hand, Rae lifted the gun into view. To ensure Mik understood.