Shiloh and Lucas piled out of the car the minute he slammed the gear into park. Lucas was a step ahead as they sprinted for the front porch. He hated the fact he’d be bringing Renee bad news about her friend Tina, but he wasn’t about to hide anything from her. At this point, she’d already been through enough lies he wouldn’t add to them.
Following Lucas inside, he checked the living room and the kitchen, but saw no sign of Renee. He started for the stairs when Lucas’ voice stopped him.
“Bro, come look at this.”
Heading back into the kitchen, Shiloh spotted Lucas staring out the window over the sink. Standing at his side, he watched Renee walking toward the house beside his dad. There was a lightness in her step that hadn’t been there before, and he couldn’t help wondering who or what happened to put it there. Whoever was responsible had his thanks.
It took a couple of minutes for them to cross from the barn to the house, and he watched every step, noting the protective stance, the carefully measured strides of his father, and felt a surge of pride. Renee must have said or done something right, because his father’s actions were those for someone he cared about.
He opened the door right before they got to it, and Renee smiled at him. The whole world seemed to tilt on its axis at the sight. Sure, she’d smiled a few times since they’d met, but this one was different. There was a carefree, easy freedom to the act, like a weight had been lifted and she felt alive. Whatever, he didn’t care how it happened, only that she seemed happy. That was good enough for him.
“Shiloh! I didn’t know you were back.”
“Just got here. Have you been having fun?”
“It’s been great! Dane and Liam showed me around the paddock and the barn. I got to meet Peppermint and gave her some candy. Did you know she’s the first horse I’ve ever seen outside of a movie?”
Her babbling nonsense didn’t matter; the glow of happiness surrounding her did. This was the most animated he’d ever seen her since they arrived in Shiloh Springs. He glanced at his father, who watched Renee with a fondness he reserved for family. Somehow, she’d burrowed herself beneath his rough exterior, and found a place in his heart. Didn’t surprise him in the least. She was a loveable person.
“I didn’t know that. I hope Peppermint behaved herself.”
“She was a perfect lady. And my bodyguards behaved themselves, too.”
“Figured that out, did you?” Shiloh shrugged. “They volunteered, if that makes any difference.”
“It’s fine, I get it.” Renee reached up and cupped his cheek, her fingers soft against his face, and he allowed himself a brief second to lean into her touch. Anything to delay telling her more bad news. “What’s wrong? You’re so tense, I know something’s happened. Just tell me.”
“It’s Tina.” Before she could say anything, he hurried to add, “She’s fine. Chance is on his way to Portland, and he’ll take care of her.”
“Dane told me. You wouldn’t have sent Chance if it wasn’t serious.”
Shiloh watched his father nudge Lucas with his shoulder, and jerk his head toward the living room, and they both exited, leaving him and Renee alone. Taking her hand, he led her to one of the kitchen chairs and eased her onto it.
“Just remember, Tina is okay. I spoke with her and arranged for her to stay at the same hotel where I stayed in Portland for the next few days.”
“I need to call her.” She held her hand out toward him.
“You can’t call her. She’s at the emergency room.” He captured the hand she’d held out for his phone, squeezing it between his. “A neighbor heard noises and called nine-one-one.”
Twin trails of tears ran down Renee’s cheeks, and Shiloh brushed them away gently with his thumbs. He knew she blamed herself, and there wasn’t a bloody thing he could do to change her mind. No amount of talking or explaining or cajoling would manage that. Right now, stating the facts and letting her process the news was his best option.
“Like I said, Tina called me from the ER. She didn’t tell the guy anything, so you’re safe.”
“But she isn’t. What’s to stop him from going after her again?”
“Chance will be there today. She’s not going back to her place until we know for sure she’ll be safe, I promise. Nobody but us knows she’ll be at the hotel, and once Chance gets there, she won’t be alone, okay?”
Renee grabbed a paper napkin out of the holder in the middle of the table and wiped furiously at her eyes. “This has to end, Shiloh. It’s obvious Darius and Eileen sent this Bruce person. It was bad enough when they only went after me; hurting my friends, that’s the last straw.”
He could practically see the rod of steel in her backbone as she sat straighter in her chair.
“Help me take them down.”
“Anything you want, sweetheart.”
He stared into her green eyes, red-rimmed from her bout of crying, saw the determination in her gaze, and wasn’t surprised at the words that followed.
“Let’s make a plan and end this once and for all.”