Hook, Line and Shotgun Bride. Cassie Miles

by renewed panic.

      “Angela, listen to me.”

      “How could I be so careless? I know I should keep the windows locked, but I have them open during the day. When I checked on Benjy earlier tonight, his window was open and the screen was loose. Somebody could have slipped inside. Into my son’s room!”

      “The window is locked now. I checked.”

      “I don’t understand. Why would anyone want to rob me?”

      He fastened his holster on his hip and put the gun away. Holding her by both shoulders, he stared into her eyes. “This isn’t a typical break-in. Nothing was stolen.”

      “What are you saying?”

      “This is personal.” Somebody wanted to hurt her, to frighten her.

      “How do you know?”

      “I’m not a big-city cop, but I’ve seen my share of troublemakers and stalkers.”

      “A stalker? Oh, damn. What am I going to do?”

      “You and Benjy need to move out of this house as soon as possible. Tonight. Maybe you can stay at Neil’s house.”

      “I can’t. I don’t want him to think I’m crazy. Or helpless.”

      “He’s going to be your husband. If you can’t share your fears with someone you love, who can you tell?”

      “Not tonight.” In spite of her raging fear, her voice was determined. “I won’t wake Benjy again. I’m putting him through too many changes. A new house. A new daddy. A new babysitter. I can’t tell him that mommy has a stalker. I don’t want to scare him.”

      “I understand.” And he figured he could handle just about any threat. “We’ll stay here. I’ll make sure we’re safe.”

      “Thank you, Shane.” She flung her arms around his neck and held on tight. Her slender body pressed against him, and he tried to ignore his natural response to having a beautiful woman in his arms. This was Angela, after all. She’d been Tom’s wife, then his widow. Now she was engaged to another man. Shane had no right to feel anything more than friendship.

      But she was so warm. He closed his eyes for a moment as he embraced her. Quietly, he said, “I won’t let anybody hurt you.”

      He heard the front door open. Still holding her, he drew his gun.

      Dr. Neil Revere strode into the kitchen. “What the hell is going on?”

       Chapter Three

      Shane considered himself to be an honorable man. As such, he’d never seduce a woman who was about to get married to another man. Unfortunately, Neil didn’t know him well enough to understand that finding Angela in his embrace was purely innocent, and there wasn’t a real good way to explain what he thought he saw.

      Angela left his arms and went toward her fiancé. She kissed his cheek. “I didn’t expect to see you tonight.”

      “I told you I’d be stopping by after my meeting. You must have forgotten.” He peeled off his wet trenchcoat and tossed it over one of the chairs by the kitchen table. As he tugged at his necktie to loosen the knot, he said, “You’re forgetting a lot of things lately.”

      Though Shane didn’t like the way Neil snapped at her, he cut the doctor some slack. Finding his bride-to-be in the arms of another man was damn awkward.

      Ignoring her fiancé’s rebuke, Angela forced a smile. “Neil, you remember Shane Gibson.”

      “Of course.” He glared at Shane as though he were a virus that needed to be stamped out. “You’ll be giving Angela away at the wedding.”

      Shane holstered his gun and shook hands. “I haven’t had a chance to congratulate you. You’re a lucky man to be marrying Angela.”

      Warily, the two men sized each other up. Physically, Shane had the edge. At six foot two, he was a couple of inches taller. He was probably five years younger and certainly in better shape, since being a deputy in a mountain community meant he sometimes had to go on rescue missions and sometimes had to break up bar fights.

      Neil managed to smile without showing a bit of friendliness, which was okay with Shane. He didn’t have to like this well-dressed doctor with the dark, serious eyes. The only thing that mattered was for Neil to be a good husband to Angela.

      “Tell me, Shane. Is there a reason why you had your gun drawn?”

      “Angela had an intruder. Somebody creeping around the house.”

      “My God.” To his credit, Neil’s hostility shifted to concern. He stroked Angela’s cheek. “Are you all right? And Benjy? Is he okay?”

      “Yes and yes,” she said. “I didn’t actually see the intruder, but the window in my bedroom was opened. And in Benjy’s room, too.”

      “Are you sure you didn’t just leave the windows open by mistake?” His voice was skeptical. “Absolutely sure?”

      “What are you insinuating?” she asked. “I’m not making this up.”

      “It’s okay, honey. I know you’ve been upset, having trouble sleeping.” He seemed to be examining her as though she were a patient. What was wrong with this guy? He ought to be comforting her.

      Neil continued, “Getting married can be very stressful, and I know change is difficult for you. If you’re having panic attacks, there’s nothing wrong with that. I’d like for you to get help with—”

      “I’m fine.” Angela’s voice was strong. “If you don’t believe me about the intruder, talk to Shane. He’s in law enforcement, and he believes me. When you came in, we were discussing what to do next.”

      “Is that so?” Neil wheeled around to face him. “It didn’t look like you were talking.”

      Shane replied in a cool, professional tone. “In my opinion, there was an intruder, possibly preparing to enter. It’s unlikely that the motive was robbery. Burglars don’t break into a house when the owner is awake and walking around.”

      “What was he after?”

      “Being apprehended wasn’t the intruder’s primary concern. He wanted to frighten Angela. He might be a stalker. Or somebody who has a personal grudge.” He turned to Angela. “Have you received threats?”

      She shook her head. “Not that I recall.”

      “Maybe from a disgruntled employee,” he suggested. “Or someone associated with the restaurant. A supplier. Even an angry customer. Take your time. Think about it.”

      She sank into a chair beside the table. Her shoulders slumped. A moment ago, he’d been critical of Neil for treating her like a patient. Now, he was interrogating her like a victim.

      As her friend, he knew what she needed. He’d seen Angela through the worst time in her life—after her husband was killed. She needed his support. Even though her fiancé was standing right there, Shane sat in the chair next to her and gave her a hug. “If you don’t want to deal with this now, it’s okay. We can wait until—”

      “I want to get it over with,” she said. “I’m thinking. But I can’t come up with anybody who wants to hurt me. A couple of months ago, I fired a waitress, but she got another job.”

      Gently, he said, “Have you noticed anything unusual? Maybe had the feeling you were being watched?”

      “I’ve been kind of spooked. Nervous, you know. Especially at night.”

      He considered the possibility of a peeper. Not usually a violent criminal. But this guy had opened windows. He seemed to be planning something more than just watching. “Earlier, we talked about moving you and Benjy to Neil’s house.”