Colton K-9 Cop. Addison Fox

over-the-counter pain meds from the EMT attendant and had finally begun to feel their effect. The pain in her arm had subsided to a dull throb and the headache that had accompanied her since the accident had begun to fade, as well. But the endless questions in her mind continued.

      The EMTs had pressed repeatedly to take her to the hospital for additional observation but she’d finally managed to push them off after submitting to several rounds of “follow the light” as they looked into her eyes, searching for a possible concussion. It had only been Donovan’s input—and assurances that he’d keep a watch on her—that had finally quelled the discussion about removing her from the premises.

      Not that she exactly wanted to stand around and watch her car smolder in a pile of burned-out metal. Or question who might have wanted to harm her enough to put it in that condition.

      It had taken her quite a while to come up with that conclusion, but once she did the sentiment wouldn’t shake.

      Someone had done this.

      Cars didn’t just explode when the ignition turned over. And innocent people didn’t just get fired from jobs they were good at and loyal to.

      So what was going on and what mess had she fallen into? And had she really left her home that very morning thinking it was just another day?

      And how was it that Donovan Colton was the one who arrived to rescue her?

      She’d thought of him intermittently over the past five years. Most of the time it was a good memory—a sweet, flirty interlude with an attractive man. But there were other moments—when the memory stung and instead of leaving her with a smile it left her with a strange ache. The painful reminder of what she’d lost that night that went beyond a lost date.

      Could things have been different?

      In the end it hadn’t mattered. If she were honest with herself, it still didn’t. Her father was horribly injured that night and her life—all their lives—had irrevocably changed.

      “Bellamy?” Gus shuffled up to her, his bright blue eyes hazed with concern. “You’ve been awfully quiet standing here all by yourself. Are you sure you don’t need to go to the emergency room?”

      “I’m sure. I’m made of sturdier stuff.”

      “If you’re sure?”

      “I’m sure.” She glanced at the dissipating crowd. “Did they find any other bombs?”

      “It doesn’t appear so. The damage from this hooligan seems confined to your car.”

      Hooligan?

      While she had no wish to alarm an old man—and she suspected his use of the word was meant to comfort—the casual term wasn’t nearly the correct one for what had happened to her. This wasn’t a prank. Or a sick joke. Someone had attempted to kill her. And the sooner she got off of LSP property, the better she’d feel.

      “Will I be allowed to go home soon?”

      “I overheard Officer Colton talking with the chief. You should be able to get out of here right soon.”

      “Thanks.”

      Since her purse had been on her arm when she’d gotten out of the car to close the trunk, she still had many of her personal items. Best of all, she’d been pleased to find her cell phone undamaged where she’d had it zipped in a side pocket. The purse was ripped and headed for the trash but the fact it protected the rest of her personal items was the only saving grace of the evening. Especially seeing as how the car and her small box of memories were destroyed.

      “Ms. Reeves?”

      Donovan Colton took a commanding spot beside her and Gus, Alex immediately sitting at his side. There was something comforting about the presence of both of them and Bellamy felt a small bit of the stress and strain of the day ebb. “Yes.”

      “I’d like to ask you a few questions but perhaps you’d prefer to answer them after you’ve had a chance to clean up. Or maybe eat?”

      “You can decide that? I mean, I can leave here.”

      The edges of his eyes crinkled in a small smile before he nodded. “I think I’m allowed to take you to a more comfortable place and out of the increasing cold. It may be Texas, but it’s still December.”

      She had gotten chilled, the air growing cool once the sun set. “I didn’t have lunch and now that you mention it, I am hungry.”

      “Why don’t we leave, then?” Donovan turned to Gus and shook his hand. “You and your team have been incredibly helpful here. Thank you for keeping everyone at the edges and not allowing anyone else to leave until we had a chance to check their cars.”

      Gus stood taller, his chest puffing just like the dog’s. “Of course.”

      “I’ll see that Ms. Reeves is escorted home now. I’ll be back tomorrow to finish a review of the site with the chief.”

      “We’ll be waiting for you.”

      Now that she’d given her agreement to leave, there was little keeping her and Donovan on the property. In a matter of moments, he had her in his SUV and was driving them toward the exit on the back side of the property, in the opposite direction from the press. She wasn’t sure if the strategy would work, but refused to turn around to find out.

      “I’m sorry for the dog hair. Alex usually sits on the front seat.”

      A strained giggle crawled up her throat, at odds with the exhaustion that racked her shoulders the moment she sat down. “I think a few stray dog hairs are the least of my worries right now. And since I don’t mind them on a good day, it’s no bother.”

      “Are you warm enough?” The heater was on full blast, rapidly warming the car as they drove toward the center of town.

      “I’m getting there.” As days went, December in central Texas was often mild bordering on warm. She was rarely cold, but since being tossed from the car she’d had a weird, aching numbness that had settled in her bones and refused to let go.