Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 97032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
I turned back toward the house, expecting to see Edna chasing us, but not yet.
But we weren’t yet safe.
I gripped Kelly’s arm. “We can chance going around the mansion to my truck or into the woods and hide until the police get here.” I left the decision to Kelly.
She took a shallow breath. “Your dad can’t be far off. We hide.”
We barely made it to the edge of the woods when a gunshot rang out, the bullet kicking up dirt far too close to Kelly’s feet.
We spun around.
Edna stood in the distance gun in hand and a lump on the side of her head the size of a lemon.
“That was a warning shot,” Edna said, her voice sharp and cold. “Move and the next bullet goes through her belly.” She pointed the gun at Kelly and started walking toward us.
Kelly let out a strangled sob, clutching her stomach as if she could somehow protect her unborn son.
I barely thought before stepping in front of her.
“Pepper, what are you doing?” Kelly said, panic lacing her voice.
I squared my shoulders making sure I kept my voice steady. “Making sure my brother Danny doesn’t lose you or the baby.”
And that’s when I saw him.
Mo.
He peeked around the corner of the mansion, his massive frame on alert, waiting for my signal.
I could have shouted Geronimo, the command that would send him charging at Edna.
But I didn’t.
If she saw him coming, she’d fire before he reached her.
Instead, Mo disappeared. A second later, I heard it—the unmistakable sound of motorcycles.
Edna’s expression flickered with confusion just before Mo came barreling around the corner again, this time leading a pack of bikers straight toward her.
Her face twisted with rage as she raised the gun, aiming it at me.
I felt a sting in my shoulder, and I didn’t hesitate, I let out a roar.
“GERONIMO!”
Mo hit Edna with full force, sending her sprawling. She didn’t have a chance against him. He had her pinned to the ground snarling and baring his teeth, saliva dripping in her face.
“Call him off, Pepper,” Stone called out, approaching Mo, who was not about to give up his prey.
“Release, Mo!” I shouted as Ian ran to me.
“You’ve been shot,” he said with a mixture of horror and fright.
I looked down at my shoulder, my brain trying to register that it was covered in blood.
Kelly let out a loud moan.
I stepped aside. “She’s in labor. We need to get her to the hospital.”
That’s when we heard a roar of sirens; police, ambulance, and was that a fire truck’s horn blaring?
I smiled, looking at Kelly. “We did it.”
I wondered why she looked so fuzzy. Then as everything darkened, I heard—
“Grab her, Ian.”
It was two days since the frightening event at Willow Mansion. Two days since Kelly gave birth and was now home with her husband and healthy, newborn son. Her doctor was shocked by how fast she delivered. While Kelly was sure the shock of what happened had the baby popping out in record speed and with little effort, which she did not mind at all.
Two days that Ian would not leave my side, clearing his schedule to be with me and making sure I followed the doctor’s instructions.
“Ah dinnae know what I’d do without you,” he said multiple times to me.
“The bullet only grazed me,” I reminded.
“All that blood had me fearing otherwise,” he said and kissed me softly.
It made me realize how deep his love ran for me and made me love him even more.
Though he was not too pleased when I told him I needed to return to Willow Mansion.
“You can’t be serious,” he said, buttoning my tan, cotton blouse for me, my wounded shoulder limiting certain tasks.
I smiled. “I am pretty sure I know where the Willow treasure is.”
His handsome face lit with a smile. “Really?”
“I can’t wait to see,” I said, impatiently. “I have to know if I’m right.”
“I can’t wait myself but are you sure you feel up to it?” he asked with concern.
“I know my limits. Besides, I have you to do any necessary heavy lifting.” I leaned against him. “You lift me with no effort at all.”
“That’s because you’re a wee bit of thing,” he said his arms going around me as he planted another gentle kiss on my lips. “And it’s good that you are with all the times I’ve had to scoop you up. But no worries, Pep, I’ll scoop you up no matter how old we get.”
I tapped one of his arms. “Then you better keep those muscles in good shape since I intend to grow very old with you.”
“Wait. Is this you being romantic?” he teased.
“Pretty good, don’t you think,” I said, praising myself.
He kissed me. “Perfect, mo ghràdh, perfect.”
Several people gathered on the second floor of the Willow Mansion. I had Amy and Beau meet Ian and me, knowing they wouldn’t want to miss this. Mom was already there, deep in conversation with Agent Stone—who, to my surprise, actually was named Stone. However, my mom, making friends as effortlessly as she did, had already started calling him by his given name. Jedidiah.