Kayla woke with pain. She felt the warmth spread through her veins and her head was so foggy, she couldn’t really remember anything. When she tried to focus on anything other than the pain, she grew tired.

“Wake up, Kayla.” Rowan’s voice was soft. “Show me those pretty blue eyes,” he was saying.

She tried to open her mouth to talk, but her lips were too dry and she was afraid they would crack.

“Mommy?” She heard Connor’s voice, and her eyes popped open quickly.

“Easy,” Rowan said, putting a hand on her arm. “Take it easy. He’s here, we’re okay,” he said, soothing her.

“Where am I?” Her throat burned with the simple words.

“Portland General,” he supplied.

“What?” She shook her head and took a deep breath.

“Your mom’s going to be here in a few minutes to take Connor to her place. I’ll explain everything then. For now, just rest.”

“I want to stay here with Mommy,” Connor added.

“Remember, CJ, we talked about this. Your mommy needs some rest. You’re going to go over to Mema’s and have fun getting things ready for the garage sale.”

Kayla frowned. “But it’s only Tuesday. How long have I been out?”

“Easy,” she felt Rowan’s hand on her again.

She closed her eyes and allowed her breathing to slow. The next thing she knew, the room was dark.

“I’m here.” Rowan’s voice sounded from beside her. His hand took hers again. “How are you feeling?”

“Connor?” she asked. Her throat didn’t hurt as badly as it had before.

“He’s spending the night at your mom’s,” he said. She blinked a few times until her eyes adjusted.

“You look terrible,” she said when she could focus.

He chuckled. “I hate to break it to you, but you don’t look so hot right now either.” He leaned closer to her and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. “I’ve never been as scared…” He kissed her again.

“What happened?” She blinked a few times. “Was it an accident?”

He leaned back. “You were shot. On my front porch.”

She gasped, but then pain shot through her side and she closed her eyes as everything came back to her.

“Do you remember anything?”

“My mother had just left, I was… enjoying the rain. I heard something.”

“Did you see anything?”

She shook her head. “No, but… it sounded like… heels.”

He frowned at her. “A woman?”

She shrugged. “I… I’m not sure.” She shook her head. “When can I go home?”

His hand flinched in hers. “Soon. I’ll call and see if your mom can bring Connor by.”

She looked towards the windows. “But it’s nighttime.”

He smiled. “It’s morning.” He leaned in and kissed her. “Besides, your son has something to tell you.”

“Oh?” She tried to lean up, but he stopped her.

“Here, let me adjust the bed.” He found the button and slowly moved her to a sitting position. “You okay?”

She nodded and looked around the small room. There was a window directly across from her bed, and a TV playing the local news on mute.

She listened as Rowan talked to her mother, who apparently was already on her way there.

“The kid was eager to get back here this morning.” He chuckled. “He has fought us every step of the way, wanting to stay here with you.”

“Is he… okay?” she asked.

“He’s fine.” He smiled. “He’s been a trooper through all this.”

“What day is it?”

“Thursday.” He frowned. “Your mom was going to put off the garage sale tomorrow, but Crystal and Sarah promised to help in your place.”

“I… They didn’t have to. What about the baby?”

“They wanted to. Aurora will be fine.” He took her hand again. “The doctor will want to talk to you, as well as the police.”

She felt the grogginess leave her. “Can I clean up a little first?”

For the next half hour, the nurse helped her clean up in the rest room. When she stood up, she felt a little dizzy, but the heavyset woman helped hold her upright. They worked around a large bandage on her left side. The entire left side of her body throbbed like she’d been hit by a live electric wire. Even her teeth ached.

When she lay back down in the hospital bed, she was tired but clean.

The doctor came and went and assured her that if she continued to make improvements, she would be free to go home in twenty-four hours.

When the police arrived, Rowan shook the man’s hand.

“Tom,” he said, motioning for the man to enter. “Kayla has told me she didn’t see who shot at her.”

“Well, we’ve got some news about that,” the older man said, sitting across from her.

“Okay,” Rowan said slowly. “And?”

“The bullet came back from a .22. The same kind we found at Serenity’s Attic.”

She heard buzzing in her head as she thought about it.

“Are you saying that… whoever shot the store, was actually aiming for me?” she asked.

“It would appear so at this point. We’re treating them both as attempts on your life. There are a few things we’d like to go over with you both. To ensure your safety once you leave here.”

Her head buzzed the rest of the time as Rowan and Tom talked.

Someone was trying to kill her. Her mind played over a list. Chad had, at one time, been on that list. Now she remembered the last time she’d seen Chad and tears slid down her face.

“Hey.” Rowan’s voice shook her out of her thoughts. “We’ll figure this out,” he said, then he looked back towards Tom. “Why don’t we step out and let her rest.”

“Rowan.”

“I’ll be just outside the door. Get some rest.” He leaned down and kissed her.

Once he shut the door, she closed her eyes and tried to think of who would want her dead.

She’d only met Chad’s parents once, but doubted they would stoop to that low level. After all, they were both high in the Florida society circles. She supposed they could have hired someone to do the deed, but doubted they would hire someone so sloppy. After all, she’d survived two attempts on her life.

No, whoever was trying to kill her was someone local, someone who didn’t know what they were doing.

She thought about it. What had she ever done to anyone in town?

A split-second thought of how Lori had treated people flashed in her mind. Kayla had always been the quiet one. She’d never rocked the boat, whereas Lori had had many enemies in her short sixteen years. She even thought about JT and wondered if he had made any enemies in town? But, then, why was she the target?

No, whoever was after her, it was either because she was back in town or because of her relationship with Rowan. After all, things hadn’t started until after she’d started seeing him.

Did he have any enemies? She looked up as he came back into the room.

“Do you have any enemies?” she asked, causing him to stop in his tracks.

“No.” He frowned down at her. “I’ve been thinking about this for a few days.” He walked over and flipped open the drawer beside her bed. “Here’s my list of suspects.”

“Why didn’t you give this to Tom?” she asked, scanning the short list.

“Because I wanted to go over it with you first.” He sat down. “How well do you know Chad’s family and are we sure his wife is dead?”

“No, I’m not sure of anything at this point.” She shifted and cringed when the pain hit her. “Has… is he back with his family?”

He shrugged. “As far as I know, his parents came up here to get him. They flew him back to Florida.”

“Do you have a computer?” she asked.

“Why?”

“Society papers,” she said.

“I have my iPad.” He pulled it out from his bag.

She flipped the browser open and punched in a few key words, then turned the screen around so they could read the article together.

Chad Collins, son of Gloria and Richard Collins, passed away suddenly on Monday night in a car accident. Collins had lost his wife and baby son a week prior due to complications during birth. Chad is survived by his parents and younger brother Caleb. Services will be held…

She stopped reading since her eyes were having a hard time adjusting.

“So, they are gone,” Rowan added. She could hear the sadness in his voice. “They covered up his suicide.”

She nodded and rested her head back. “As well as swept me and Connor under the table.”

“You’re better off,” he added, squeezing her hand.

“Why? Why did he come here? Why do this, here?” He gave her a strange look, causing her to sit up slightly. “Rowan?”

He sighed and pulled out a paper from his bag. “They found it in his hotel room. After…” He handed her the envelope. “Are you up for this?”

She sighed and tucked the letter close to her when there was a knock at the door.

“Come in,” she called, setting the paper under her hip.

Connor rushed in towards her. She noticed instantly that the blue cast was missing. His arm looked a little thin and a lot whiter than the other arm, but the cast was gone.

“You got your cast off?” She looked to Rowan, who smiled.

“See.” Rowan helped Connor up on her bed, where he sat next to her, without touching her. “It’s gone.” He held up his arm. “You okay?” he asked, looking down at her stomach.

“Yes, I’m fine.” She reached for him. “Tell me about getting the cast off.”

“Row cut it off. He says it’s all better now.”

“His paperwork came in and we x-rayed again and saw that it was time to take it off,” Rowan said.

“See.” He clapped his hands. “It doesn’t hurt no more.” Her son’s smile helped release the last tension from her body. Reaching down, she pulled him to her good side and held onto him.

“Whoever did this, we’ll find them,” Rowan said. “I swear to you both right now. Nothing bad will happen to either of you again.”

Looking up into his eyes, she could tell that he was telling the truth. She’d been such a fool to deny what he had offered her.

Later that night, when she was alone, she pulled out the envelope and read Chad’s last words.

Kayla,

I’m not sure what to say other than I’m sorry. My life has always been dictated by my parents. I fled to New York to try and make it on my own, but had failed heinously shortly before I met you. I was overjoyed when you told me you were pregnant with my child. But, in my mind, the only way to provide for you and our child was to return home and fall into their trap again.

I should have been stronger. I should have married you on the spot in New York. There are so many things I would do differently.

I allowed my parents once more to control my life. They strong-armed me into marrying a woman I didn’t know. When Kimberly told me she was pregnant, I thought I could have a second chance at life. But, after losing them, I realized how much I’d screwed up.

Seeing you with our son, I know he’ll grow up to be stronger than I was. I’ve done what I could to help ensure that he has a bright future.

Be happy in life.

Yours always,

Chad

Tears streamed down her face as she closed the letter.

* * *

Rowan carried Kayla in his front door. Connor followed behind, holding Kayla’s mother’s hand. He’d been happily surprised when she’d agreed to stay at his place. He’d had his aunt pack up some basics for her and Connor, and he moved them into his house before she left the hospital.

He didn’t know what would happen when she was better, but for now, he would enjoy having the pair of them under his roof.

“I could have walked,” Kayla said for the second time.

“I like carrying you.” He set her gently down on the sofa. “We’ve made you a spot down here, for now. Then I’ll carry you upstairs later tonight. We thought you’d like it better down here, with the TV.” He glanced over at Connor who nodded in agreement.

The family hung out in the living room, watching Disney movies. He ordered pizza and shortly after, there was a knock on the door.

“That must be my surprise,” he said, walking to the door.

“Surprise?” Kayla and Connor said at the same time. However, he noted the difference of tone. The kid sounded excited while Kayla sounded apprehensive.

He smiled and walked to the door. When he opened it, Crystal stood in the doorway with a small box. “Well, I hope you enjoy this. The traffic back from Portland was terrible.”

He reached over and hugged her. “Thanks, I would have gone myself, but…”

She waved him away. “As promised, I deliver, but I get to stick around for the show.” She stepped past him as she handed him the box.

He itched to open the box, but decided to allow Kayla and Connor to open it instead.

“What’s all this?” Kayla frowned at the box.

“It’s a coming home present.” He smiled and set the box on the ground. Connor jumped down from his spot on the sofa next to Kayla and knelt next to the box.

“Can I open?” he asked Rowan.

“Ask your mom.” He nodded to Kayla.

“Mommy, can I?”

Kayla’s eyes were on him as she nodded. “Go ahead.”

“Easy.” He helped Connor open the flaps.

The small puppy inside sprang up like a Jack-in-the-box, causing Connor to fall back on his butt and laugh. It was no bigger than Rowan’s fist. It was trying to jump out of the box, but its legs were too small. She was white and black with a few spots of brown under each of her eyes.

Connor reached in and picked up the small dog. “Doggie!” he squealed.

“Connor.” Kayla frowned, but after seeing how small the animal was, she smiled. Her eyes searched his.

“It’s a rat terrier, they stay small.” He moved over and sat next to her as Connor played with the puppy on the floor, letting it chase him around the room.

“The breed is very good with kids and other pets,” Crystal added from the floor. She laughed when the dog tried to climb up into her lap.

“Can we keep him?” Connor asked as he sat next to Crystal.

“You lied to me.” Kayla looked over at him. “You told me you wouldn’t pressure me again.”

“About moving in,” he added. “That doesn’t mean I’m going to stop giving you surprises.” He took her hand in his then lowered his voice. “Crystal and I agreed that the kid needed to learn not to be afraid of dogs. After all, not all dogs bite little boys.”

Kayla was silent for a moment, then turned to Connor. “We can keep him…”

“Her,” Crystal and Rowan interjected at the same time.

“We can keep her,” Kayla started again, “if you can come up with a good name.”

“Blue!” Connor clapped his hands and bounced up and down.

Kayla chuckled. “Blue it is.”

Crystal handed the small dog up to Rowan, who sat it in Kayla’s lap.

“Welcome to the family, Blue.” She snuggled the dog and laughed when it licked her face.

They put Blue in the bathroom to sleep. Having to check on both Kayla and the puppy made him seriously question his decision to buy the dog. His aunt had talked him into it when she’d heard about the puppies being rescued from a puppy mill in Portland. Still, his heart melted each time Blue licked his face or snuggled in his arms.

Halfway through the night, he carried the crying puppy into his bed and let her lay down on the end of the bed, where she circled, then fell fast asleep.

“You’re going to spoil her,” Kayla mumbled and turned towards him.

“I like to spoil my girls.” He smiled over and ran a hand down Kayla’s hair. “Stay with me,” he said, causing her eyes to open wider. “I don’t want you guys to leave.” He gently pulled her into his arms, making sure to not hurt her side. “I love you, both of you. I want to spend every day with you in my life. Stay with me.” His heart stopped beating as he waited for her answer.

Slowly, she smiled and leaned up to kiss him. “Yes, we’ll stay.”