Daniella was both elated and depressed, causing untold problems with her psyche. She desperately wanted to run from the danger her father posed, yet the moment she laid eyes on the Blacks’ farmhouse she was filled with a sense of home. Friends. Even family.
Wheeling into the familiar driveway, Becky checked her out, frowned and asked, “You okay?”
“Yes. I’m just conflicted. I know it’s best that I disappear but I really hate to leave this place.”
“Leave Isaac, you mean?”
“Him, too, of course.” Knowing that her cheeks had to be aflame, she averted her face and stared out the car windows as if she found the passing fence unduly fascinating.
Becky chuckled softly. “Of course.”
“Hey, this is no laughing matter,” Daniella insisted, turning back. “I never dreamed I’d someday meet a man who appealed to me the way your brother does, and then when I do, he has the worst job in the world.”
“What makes you think you couldn’t get used to it if you loved him enough?”
“That’s another thing. The more I care about him, the more scared I get that I’ll lose him the same way I lost my mother.”
“Like I said, you need to trust God more.”
“Why? So I’ll have divine comfort when Isaac is blown to bits? No thanks.”
“All I can do is tell you what’s helped me. The more I tried to figure out my life, the more confused I got. But when I turned it over to the Lord and stopped insisting that everything go the way I’d planned, the results were far better than I’d imagined.”
“Let go, you mean?”
“In a manner of speaking. I see it more as rolling with the punches. It’s not so much what happens to us as it is how we react to adversity.”
Daniella was arguing within, and some of that attitude spilled out into the conversation. “Look. I was only seventeen when I went into witness protection. I’ve already made up my mind I’m going to run now but eventually return. I have a career that I happen to love and won’t abandon. I’m just not going to make the mistake I did the other night in my poor car. I plan to duck, literally and figuratively, then counterattack later, if I have to.”
“How do you propose to do that? This is not the Old West and you’re no gunfighter.”
Agreeing, Daniella nodded slowly, thoughtfully. “I know. I keep thinking there must be some way I can win. I just haven’t found it yet.”
Becky drove to the rear of the old Victorian and parked, then swiveled to look directly at her passenger. “When I took you to the bank this morning I was positive that helping you hit the road was for the best. Now I’m not so sure.”
“Why not?”
“Because it has occurred to me that God may have placed you with us for a reason. Think about it. You’re not trained for combat but the three of us are, to varying degrees, and if you stick around it will be like having three bodyguards with at least one of us on duty at all times.”
“You’re not part of this. You shouldn’t have to risk your lives just because my father is out to get me.”
“If that’s all there was to it you’d be right. But suppose we were put into your life for a purpose? What if we’d be wrong to let you go?”
“Suppose you let me decide about that.”
Becky spread her hands, palms up. “Okay. Fair enough. As long as you keep an open mind. I think, while your car is being repaired, you should give the marshals another call. It’s quite possible they may be preparing to whisk you away or something.”
“I sincerely doubt that. I told them I wanted out of their program. Period.”
“You’ll never know what’s going on if you don’t ask. Suppose my brother did pull strings to get them to leave you in limbo?”
Daniella brightened. “Do you really think so?” She stepped out of the car when Becky did, greeted the excited farm dogs with pats on their heads, then led the way toward the back porch.
There was something so special about this farm, this house, she was in awe. There were no adequate words to describe how she felt about the Black family, particularly Isaac, and no amount of internal arguing against those feelings fazed her conclusions.
Sticking close, the largest of the mixed-breed dogs bumped her leg and began to growl. The rumble in his throat was enough to bring Daniella up short. She spread her arms like a human gate. “Becky?”
“What’s wrong?”
“This dog is growling.”
Becky joined her and bent over the enormous canine to listen. “He is. In all the years we’ve had him, this is the first time I’ve heard him act mean. Did you do something different?”
“Not me.” She eyed the wooden porch. “Shut the dogs in the barn and stay back. I want to take a closer look and I don’t want any company.”
The notion that a dog that had never been trained for defense was trying to tell her something struck Daniella as improbable. Nevertheless, she had always had an affinity for animals and could read their body language well. This dog was definitely put off by something. It was conceivable that he’d become sensitized to some sights or odors by watching Abby work.
Cautious, purposeful steps brought her around to the open end of the porch. She bent down. Peered into the dimness below the wooden deck.
At first, all she saw were spiderwebs and dust. Then, squinting, she managed to isolate a dark shape that didn’t look as if it belonged there.
Daniella gasped, straightened and gaped at Becky. Before she could sound the warning, the rear door opened and Jake stepped out. “About time you decided to show up,” he said. “Isaac and I’ve been all over the city looking for you two.”
Becky raised her arms as if sheer willpower could stop her brother’s progress.
Beside the porch, Daniella was close enough to grab the hem of his jeans and shout, “Don’t move!”
* * *
One thing Isaac had not expected was a call from his sister. The moment he recognized her voice he started to scold. “Do you know what you’ve done? Jake and I looked everywhere. I can’t believe you’d agree to take Daniella into the city, let alone not keep in touch. You...”
Jumbling with the sound of his own voice was the rapid-fire speech of his sister. It was her evident agitation that caused him to hesitate. “What?”
“I said, there’s a bomb under the porch and Jake is standing on it. Where are you?”
“Five minutes out. Nobody move. Understand? The slightest jiggle could set it off.”
Becky, usually the most levelheaded of all the women Isaac knew, sounded near hysteria. “Didn’t you check before you left?” she screeched.
“I was in kind of a hurry, thanks to you. Abby and I went out the back and she didn’t alert.”
“Well, she would now.”
“Somebody must have placed a device when all of us were away. I’m pulling off the highway. Sit tight.”
With both hands fisted on the wheel and his siren wailing, Isaac floored the gas pedal. These two-lane country roads weren’t designed for high-speed driving, but as long as he stuck to the center line he should be able to negotiate the corners without sliding off into a ditch.
Living in the country rather than the city had made him too complacent. He should have taken more pains to protect his family. It was his fault for bringing trouble home with him, but what else could he have done?
“I could have turned her over to the authorities as soon as Abby detected that first bomb,” he murmured. His fist hammered the steering wheel. Why hadn’t he? And why, given her father’s early release, had he continued to encourage her stay with them? It might not be the dumbest stunt he’d ever pulled, but it was close.
Wheeling into the long drive leading to the farmhouse, Isaac slowed to keep from losing control of the car on the loose dirt and gravel. He parked on the grass before getting too close and jumped out, half running, half limping toward the place Becky had cited.
When he rounded the corner of the house and saw the entire picture, his heart leaped into his throat, pounding wildly.
Jake was just outside the back door all right, and Becky was nearest the barn. It was Daniella’s position that tied his gut in knots and floored him. She was standing beside the raised wooden deck with one hand on the closest support and the other clutching Jake’s jeans at the ankle.
Even if the bomb detonated and the others were blown clear, there was no chance of Daniella escaping in one piece. None at all.
Thankful that he’d left Abby in the SUV, Isaac boldly approached. Becky spotted him first and screeched his name.
Jake’s head swiveled slowly and he quirked a smile.
Daniella was the only one who didn’t move, so he called out to her as he drew closer. “If you’re not putting any weight on the porch, you can let go of him.”
She shook her head, her hair swinging.
Close enough to touch her, he laid a hand lightly on her shoulder and spoke softly so he wouldn’t frighten her more. “Let him go, Daniella. Open your hand.”
“No. This is all my fault. I’ll stay as long as Jake has to.”
“I notified my office as soon as I got Becky’s call,” Isaac said, “but they won’t send the bomb squad until I report what I’ve found.”
He edged to one side and shined a flashlight into the recesses beneath the porch. “Where did you see it?”
“Under a step. There’s a blinking light.”
“I don’t see what you’re describing. Are you sure?”
“Yes. No. I don’t know.”
Isaac backed out and straightened. “All right. Since you say what you saw was under a step and there’s absolutely nothing attached to the porch, Jake can go back inside.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Really.” He looked to his brother. “Just take it easy and don’t slam the door.”
Isaac wrapped his arms around Daniella and drew her in the opposite direction, holding his breath until they were in the clear. Then he turned her and pulled her closer, relieved to feel her arms slip around him, as well. Judging by the severity of her trembling, she was good and scared. And foolishly brave.
“Easy. I’ve got you,” he whispered against her silky hair. “What in the world did you think you’d accomplish by getting yourself blown up?”
“I couldn’t leave him. I just couldn’t.” Her arms tightened around Isaac’s waist and she laid her cheek on his chest.
The notion that she was ready to sacrifice herself for his brother was both comforting and disturbing. If she cared that much for Jake, perhaps he was the one who was destined to win her heart. Isaac wondered if he would be able to stay close to his family if that did happen. He doubted it. Picturing Daniella as anyone’s wife but his was already tearing him apart. To actually see it happen would be sheer agony.
The click of the latch on the front door echoed in the rural stillness. Becky had already joined Isaac and Daniella by the K-9 patrol unit when Jake jogged up and put his strong arms around the group.
Isaac tolerated the closeness for a few long seconds before setting Daniella away and issuing orders. “All of you climb in and wait out here. I’m going to start by working Abby around the house.”
Daniella reached out to him, grasped his forearm. “Do you have to go?”
“It’s my job. I told you. I need to have the entire area screened and report before they’ll start the bomb squad. They may not need to.”
Becky had already slid into the second seat. Daniella reluctantly joined her while Jake stood outside. He inclined his head and motioned with his eyes. “Quite a woman.”
“Yes.” And I saw her first, Isaac wanted to add. Instead, he circled the unit. Abby was ready to go, as always. He fitted and fastened her vest, then snapped on a long lead.
One glance back was all he allowed himself before he and his canine partner went to work.
* * *
Watching from the car, Daniella was alternately wringing her hands and clamping her fingers together so tightly they whitened.
She squeezed her eyes closed and didn’t realize she’d been praying until she heard herself saying, “Please, please keep him safe.”
Becky added, “Amen,” and joined their folded hands. “Father, thank You for keeping the rest of us safe today, too, and bless my brother as he does his job.”
As soon as Daniella looked up, Becky smiled. “I think it’s important to thank Him for the good things, too. Otherwise we sound like spoiled children, always begging for cookies for dessert without being grateful for the whole meal we had before.”
“I—I never thought of it that way.” She kept hold of her friend’s hand. “I guess I should spend more time giving thanks for not being in the car with my mom.”
“And for meeting Isaac in the ER,” Becky added. “Looking back, I can easily imagine a divine purpose. You needed special friends and allies, and He sent you to us.”
“That is a comforting thought,” she replied. “I just hope everybody survives our adventure together.”
“Even your dad?” Becky asked gently.
Astounded, Daniella didn’t know how to answer. What was wrong with her? For years she’d nurtured her abhorrence of that man, so where was the fire in her heart and mind now? Terence Fagan was still causing her trouble and had undoubtedly placed the first bomb under her car, so why couldn’t she easily agree that she wished him dead?
Daniella looked over with unshed tears blurring her vision and said, “I don’t know anymore.”
Becky gave her hands a squeeze. “Good for you.”
“But he’s just as evil as he always was. What’s wrong with me?”
Smiling, Becky too looked misty-eyed. “It’s not what’s wrong with you, honey. It’s more about what’s getting right.”
“You mean with God?”
“Among other things. Holding on to bitterness can kill a person almost as easily as a bullet. You should know. I’m sure you’ve had patients who left this earth cursing their fate and the other people they blamed for it.”
“A few. It always struck me as a shame that they held on to grudges with their last thoughts. Such a waste.”
“Amen, sister,” Becky said, dashing away sparse tears and breaking into a smile. “You’re really a quick learner.”
“Ha! Tell that to your brother. He thinks I’m an idiot.”
“No, he doesn’t. And I assume you mean Isaac.”
Blushing again, Daniella stared at her clasped hands as if they were the most interesting things she’d ever seen. “Yes. Isaac.”
“We all have baggage,” Becky said.
Daniella met her gaze. “Not everybody’s baggage is lethal the way mine is.”