was safe.
Especially not Madison.
FOUR
A sheriff’s deputy drove Madison to Kayla’s house. Madison was forever grateful to Bonnie, Sheriff Carl’s wife, who brought her some clean clothes and a few toiletries. The last thing Madison had wanted was for Lincoln to see her in her previous state: torn shirt, disheveled hair, busted lip. He’d already been through enough. No need to traumatize him further.
She sat silently in the front seat as the rookie deputy rolled down the quiet streets toward Seaford. How could such an attack have happened in such a peaceful little fishing community? She’d always felt safe here. It was against her instincts to leave her doors unlocked, but she knew people who did and she understood their reasoning. The worst crime that usually happened here was a drunk driver or a brawl between neighbors. Nothing like what had happened to her today. As soon as the news media found out it wasn’t an attempted suicide, they’d be on the story like a crab on seaweed. The fact that she freelanced for the newspaper wouldn’t give her any immunity.
“Can I stop and get you anything, ma’am?” Deputy Young asked kindly.
She shook her head. “No, I just want to see my son. Thank you, though.” She twisted the tissue in her hand until it ripped. Looking at her lap and the evidence of her anguished thoughts, she collected the scraps of tissue and stuffed the pieces into her pocket.
Her thoughts drifted to Brody. She wished he was with her now instead of the fresh-faced deputy. There was something she’d found comforting today about the man and his demeanor.
She wondered about the torment she’d briefly seen on his face as she’d recounted the details of her attack. She’d thought, just for a moment, that she’d seen something very raw flash through his gaze. The grueling emotions she’d spotted seemed to be deeper than those of a compassionate detective. What about her attack made him look regretful?
The man had a heart. She shouldn’t be surprised. Kayla—his cousin and Lincoln’s teacher—had expressed that much, saying that Madison shouldn’t let his aloofness bother her. She’d insisted he was going through some stuff that had left him in a bit of an identity crisis. Ignoring his typical blatant disregard of her was easier said than done, however. But now this new side of him emerged, and Madison didn’t know what to think about Brody Philips.
Finally the car pulled to a stop in front of Kayla’s bungalow, a small yellow house that sat on a stretch of other similar houses on a lone country road. The deputy started to walk her to the door, but Madison politely declined. Before she made it even halfway up the sidewalk, the front door flew open and little blond haired Lincoln ran out to greet her. With his trim, lean frame and blue eyes, he was the spitting image of his father. The feel of his sticky hands around her neck made her forget everything else, even the searing pain that ripped through her ribs.
He pulled his head back and looked at her from only four inches away. “Mommy, where were you? I thought we were going to the playground today.”
The playground. She’d totally forgotten about her promise to him. “We’ll go this week. I promise. Mommy had a little…accident and isn’t feeling very well.”
Her son studied her face with a frown. “Did you catch a germ?”
Madison smiled. “Not quite. Don’t you worry, though. I’m doing much better now that I’m with you.”
Kayla smiled from the doorway. As Madison carried Lincoln up the steps, she waved at the deputy and he drove away. Kayla extended her arm behind her, welcoming Madison inside. Still holding Lincoln, Madison stepped into the cool living room, grateful to get out of the smothering heat.
Kayla closed the door and offered a warm smile. “I made some Boatman’s Stew, in case you’re hungry. Lincoln already had some pizza. I hope that’s okay.”
Madison nodded and touched her throat. “Of course.” When would this stop feeling so surreal? Images continually flashed back into her mind, making her feel like she could hardly breathe.
“Mom, can I finish my video game?”
Madison nodded and the boy scrambled back to the TV, picked up a remote and began playing an alphabet game. Madison followed Kayla’s lead and settled on the couch, unsure of what to do with herself.
Madison looked at the petite woman across from her. Kayla was probably only a few years younger than Madison and had a square face, a sprinkle of freckles across her cheeks, and lovely, thick auburn hair. “How’s Lincoln been?”
“He’s been great. He’s asked a lot of questions, but really he’s such an easygoing kid. I didn’t tell him anything. I figured you’d want to handle that.”
“I appreciate everything you’ve done,” Madison said.
“I just…I just can’t believe something like this would happen here…and to you.” Kayla shook her head. “I’m so sorry you’re going through this.”
“I’m still in a state of disbelief myself.”
A knock sounded at the door. Kayla disappeared and a moment later Madison heard a deep voice echoing from the front door. Her heart sped slightly when she realized it was Brody. She scolded herself for the reaction.
He’d saved her life. Of course she might have the man at hero status for now. It wouldn’t last long. Soon he’d return to being her grouchy neighbor and she’d resume her routine as a single working mom. The only reason he showed so much concern now was because of his job—he had no choice but to be kind.
She rose, rubbing her hands against her jeans, as his broad form filled the doorway. “Brody.”
He nodded toward her, his posture stiff and professional. “Madison. I just thought I’d stop by and see how you’re doing.”
“Kayla’s been a lifesaver.” She glanced back at Lincoln, who still played a video game, oblivious to anything that had happened. “We’re all hanging in, doing as well as can be expected.”
His eyes caught hers, and he seemed to search her gaze for evidence of truth in her words. She looked away, afraid he’d seen her fear and exhaustion.
He seemed to take the hint as the warmth left his eyes and an aloof professionalism replaced it. “I wanted to let you know that the crime scene has been cleared. You’re free to return home whenever you’re ready.”
Kayla placed her hand on Madison’s arm. Compassionate eyes met hers. “You’re welcome to stay here for as long as you need.”
Madison nodded, relief filling her. She wasn’t sure she was ready to face her house yet. Though Bonnie had also offered them the chance to stay at her place, Madison knew that Bonnie’s ailing mother also lived there. Madison didn’t want to place any more pressure on the woman. Kayla’s place would be perfect, though, especially since Lincoln already felt at home here. “I appreciate it. I think I’ll go back to my house tomorrow after Lincoln is at school and try to straighten up. I don’t want him to see it in its current state.” The noose wrapped around the fan flashed into her mind. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to erase the image.
A firm hand came down on her shoulder. She opened her eyes and saw that Brody had closed the distance between
