raced with twisters? Hardly. But he was extremely impulsive to say the least, so Greer couldn’t be sure what he would or wouldn’t do.
When he’d shown up at her house after rescuing her again, she had been terrified, but then he’d taken her and held her against him. All the comfort and warmth she’d needed, he’d provided. His tenderness had been overwhelming. Twice he’d risked his life for her.
But now his protection was only due to the fact they shared a child. Any tender feelings he had were gone. Better that way, anyway.
That wasn’t the only terrifying thing sending her heart into arrhythmia. Locke was right when he said a killer wanted her dead. Somehow, the man in the maintenance uniform had discovered where she lived and she wasn’t safe. Greer had barely gotten free from his grasp a second time. Barely made it outside. If Locke hadn’t been there—again—she might not have made it at all. And what if Lin had been home? Her baby wasn’t safe, either. This guy wasn’t going to stop coming for her.
Today was going to be a long day. They had to find him. Put him away. It was the only way Greer and Lin would be safe. But before she could get to work and do her job, she had to take Locke to see Lin.
After cleaning up, she found him sitting at the kitchen table, eyes red-rimmed and hair disheveled. Didn’t look like he’d slept, either. She wasn’t sure if she was going to get more heat or if he’d blown his top and now would be less harsh. Either way, she’d take whatever dish he served up, whether hot or cold, and eat it without complaint.
“What time does she wake up?” he asked quietly.
“About now. I’ll call Tori and let her know we’re coming. Do—do you want anything to eat or drink?”
“I don’t want anything, Greer,” he murmured. “Just my daughter.”
She swallowed the ache in her throat and nodded, then went into her bedroom to call Tori—the only person in town who knew everything. Tori had been her best friend since third grade. When she reentered the kitchen, Locke had changed clothes and looked like he’d shaved. A duffel bag hung over his shoulder. The fact he’d freshened up to meet his nine-month-old baby girl sent a wave of warmth and grief through her.
He silently followed her outside.
“Do you want to ride together?”
“I do not.”
“Okay,” she mumbled. “Tori lives on a farm on the edge of town. She homesteads.” Now she was nervously babbling. “Just...follow me.”
As she neared Tori’s farm, her stomach knotted, and she felt like she might throw up. She pulled up behind Tori’s car. Locke was behind her in his Ford F-150. He followed her to the screened-in door at the side of the house. Tori met them at the door.
“This is Locke.”
“Hey,” Locke said, devoid of his typical charm and friendliness.
“Nice to meet you. She’s...she’s in her high chair.”
They entered the kitchen; the smell of toast and coffee permeated the room. Greer’s heart swelled when she saw Lin sitting in a wooden high chair with a few rice puffs on her tray. “Hi, baby girl,” Greer cooed.
Lin looked up, gave her that wide grin and banged on her tray, squealing. Nothing made Greer feel more loved and wanted. Locke hung back. His bravado, his anger, gone. He almost seemed nervous. Shy. Uncertain. Greer lifted Lin from the high chair and kissed her chubby cheek. “Mama missed you, baby girl. Did you have fun with Miss Tori?” She kissed her again and slowly brought her to Locke.
“I have some work down in the root cellar. I’ll be there if you need me.” Tori left them alone, and Greer brought Lin to him.
“She’s going through stranger anxiety so she may not warm up very fast,” Greer said.
“And do you know what that feels like, Greer? To be a stranger to your own child?” he whispered. “Does she have a name? I don’t even know my daughter’s name.” Anguish swept through his tone, and regret panged in her heart.
“Locklin, meet Stormie Lin. But she goes by Lin. L-i-n.”
Moisture formed in his eyes. “Lin,” he whispered. “Stormie Lin,” he whispered again. He looked at Greer, blinked back the moisture. His blue eyes were bright. Clear. “What’s her last name?”
Greer’s dream had always been to carry his last name. Her daughter should as well. “On the birth certificate it’s Gallagher. But around here, she’s Lin Montgomery.”
Locke sniffed, studied Lin. “At least you gave her my name legally. Thank you.”
A thank-you. Greer bit her lower lip. Locke reached out, hesitated, then touched Lin’s cheek. “Hey,” he said with a soft baby-talk tone. “Hey, Lin.”
She peered at her daddy, into identical eyes, with a somber expression. He tickled under her chin. “Do you know who I am?” He became more cheerful as if working to draw a smile. “I’m your...daddy.” His voice choked with emotion on the word. “Can you say ‘daddy’?” he asked.
Lin wrapped her pudgy hand around his finger on her chin and blew spit bubbles.
Locke chuckled, and she squealed.
“Can I...hold her?” he asked.
“We can try, yes.” Greer slowly passed Lin to Locke. “Go see your daddy, baby girl. It’s okay.”
Lin swiveled toward Greer but allowed Locke to take her in his arms. Greer had been in those arms many times. Surely, Lin would feel the strength and security in them, as Greer always had. The feeling of protection. She only hoped her baby girl would never have to live with those strong, safe arms leaving her.
Locke took her hand and kissed her baby knuckles. “Hey.”
Bless him, he had no clue what to say or do, but his affection was clear. Burning bright in his eyes. “You are so lovely, little girl.”
Greer turned and squeezed her eyes shut, holding back tears.
“Did you know that? Did you know you were so lovely?” he asked again.
Greer faced them, watched. Lin put her hand on his cheek and squeezed.
“Mmm...you got a grip there, kiddo.” Locke laughed. “Good solid grip.”
Greer chuckled, and Lin laughed with her.
“Well, she likes you.”
“She should. I’m her dad,” he said strongly. “I want to know everything, Greer. I want to know everything I missed. Because I’ve missed it all. You have to understand that, right?”
Greer bit back tears. “I didn’t want us to be in your way. You’d just signed the two-year contract. I hadn’t. You were working your way into your dream. And...”
“And what?”
How did she explain that she knew he’d end up abandoning them? He’d just argue with her. “And,
