and moved closer to the window. Something shifted outside near the barn and he was sure it wasn’t simply the wind. He grabbed his heavy coat and gloves off the hanging rack, along with a flashlight, then put his service weapon in his holster. If Jinx and his men were foolish enough to try to fight this storm, he was going to make sure they lost.
The wind howled around him as he stepped outside and quickly shut the door behind him. Bitter cold slashed his cheeks, sending shivers up his spine. Steeling his breath, he headed for the barn. Shadows moved in the wind, but that wasn’t what he’d seen. Something—someone was out there.
He held out his weapon as he approached the barn. “Turn around slowly and put your hands on your head.”
He shone his flashlight into the shadows. “Caden?”
His brother stepped up in front of him. “What are you doing out here?”
“Just checking things over one last time. I can’t see those guys coming after her tonight, but saw someone moving around and had to check it out. What are you doing?”
Caden let out a low laugh. “I think we’re both a bit on edge. It hasn’t been that long since Gabby’s and Liam’s lives were in danger, and now this...”
Griffin stepped into the shelter of the barn behind his brother. “I have to admit, this situation has me rattled and they’ve crossed my mind once or twice the past few hours.”
Caden shot him a smile. “Gabby fell in love with Liam during all of that. The same thing could happen to you.”
“Seriously? There’s a killer after the woman I’m protecting, and you’re thinking about matchmaking?” Griffin frowned. “I’m not doing this because I think she’s beautiful or charming. I’m just doing my job.”
“If you say so.”
“Caden, you can’t seriously be going there. I don’t even know her.”
His brother let out a low chuckle. “You know I’m just kidding, though it has been a while since you’ve been in a relationship. I’m just thinking of your happiness. Mom told me Tory’s both beautiful and charming.”
Griffin headed into one of the stalls to check the supply of feed, even though it wasn’t his job.
Caden followed him, stopping in the doorway. “I’m sorry.”
“Forget it. That was a long time ago. I just haven’t found what I’m looking for.”
“What are you looking for?”
He headed into the next stall, wanting to ignore the question. Wanting to ignore the entire topic.
“You’re not exactly one to give relationship advice.”
The four brothers had fought like cats and dogs growing up, but in the end they would have sacrificed anything for each other. Caden and his fiancée had broken off their engagement the night before their wedding. He’d never told Griffin the entire story of what had happened, and Griffin had never pushed. Just like he’d never shared with Caden all the details of losing Lilly.
But none of that mattered right now.
“What I just said crossed the line,” Griffin said.
“Forget it. It’s just that you’ve just seemed...lost lately.”
Griffin stepped out of the stall. “I’m fine. Busy at work and church... There’s nothing to complain about.”
“But that’s not always enough, is it?”
“I just...” He stopped. Wasn’t that the same question he’d been asking himself? What was he looking for?
Satisfied the horses had what they needed for the night, Griffin buttoned the top of his coat. He needed to get back to the house to ensure everything was okay there.
“If things were different, I might not mind getting to know her, but she can’t remember much more than her name, which makes it a bit hard.” He stopped just inside the doorway leading outside and rested his hands on his hips. “I think the stress of all of this is taking more of a toll than I realized.”
“She’s going to be fine,” Caden said, heading toward the door with him. “She’s got you as her guardian.”
He was cold and tired and needed to get a good night’s sleep if he was going to be able to do his job. “We both should get some sleep.”
“Agreed. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Griffin walked back to the house and made another sweep of the perimeter, knowing he wouldn’t sleep tonight. While the chances of Jinx or his men facing this storm seemed slim, he still wasn’t going to dismiss the possibility. That meant he couldn’t put his guard down.
He glanced up at the window of the room where Tory was sleeping then shifted his gaze toward the shadows in the living room. This time he wasn’t imagining anything. Someone had broken into the house.
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