Chapter 40
They were halfway through the meal before Gray’s nerves began to settle enough to enjoy the Luigi’s pizza Shelby had brought.
Upon entering his house, Stanley and Caleb had offered reserved smiles and handshakes. We’re only here for Shelby’s sake , their demeanors screamed. We’ll tolerate you.
They’d decided to strategize after eating. So as the meal lengthened, the conversation in his dining room was casual: Caleb’s
artwork, the upcoming town hall meeting, Ollie’s first laugh, instigated by Stanley, who was very proud of this accomplishment.
Shadow sat between Shelby and Gray, gaze flickering between them, hoping for a scrap. Periodically the dog checked the darkened
living room where the baby lay in his car seat—he’d fallen asleep on the way over. The little guy had apparently been teething
and sleep was sporadic. You’d never know it by Liddy, who brought a certain energy to the gathering. She’d apparently come
prepared to bridge the gap between Gray and the family. He was glad Shelby had such a good friend and ally.
When the conversation turned to Ollie’s birth story, Gray excused himself to retrieve more drinks. The meal was winding down
and they’d soon move on to strategizing. Gray had been able to think of little else since yesterday when he realized what
they were up against. He felt so responsible for this.
His ideas focused primarily on direct contact with Shelby’s loyal customer base—her email database and their online presence. If they shifted their marketing efforts that direction, maybe they could lessen the boycott’s impact. But it wouldn’t reverse the damage.
Shelby entered the kitchen as he opened the fridge. She wrapped her arms around his middle and laid her head on his back.
“Doing all right?”
“I’m fine. I’m eager to hear any ideas your family might have.” He pulled out a couple cans of Coke and placed them on the
counter, then gave Shelby his full attention. She gazed up at him adoringly, and he went soft inside at her warm expression.
“Thanks for hanging in there with them. They’ll come around.”
“Hope you’re right.” It wasn’t lost on him that the simplest way to stop the boycott was to give the Remingtons what they
wanted. At least Caleb and her dad hadn’t thrown that in his face—not yet anyway.
“I am.” She stretched up on her toes and pressed a quick kiss to his lips.
But he tightened his arms, holding her there. “When they leave, I want more of that mouth.”
A sexy sparkle entered her eyes. “That can be arranged.”
Might as well get a head start. Just a little one. He brushed her lips with his, the touch kindling a fire inside. Her hands
crept up his arms and snaked their way around his shoulders. He found the curve of her waist, the arch of her back, giving
himself fully to the moment.
Laughter erupted from the dining room. They weren’t alone—yet.
As if coming to the same realization, Shelby eased away. “How is it when I’m in your arms I forget everything else?”
“Same.”
She gave him a final kiss. “I think we’re about done with the pizza and ready to talk business.”
“I’ll grab my notes.”
“And I’ll grab the drinks.” Casting a grin his way, she swiped the cans and headed back to the dining room.
He’d left his notes in the living room so he moved that way, his mind turning to strategy. Though the room was dark the porch
light shone through the windows, illuminating the white paper on the end table. He skirted the baby carrier in front of the
TV and grabbed his notebook. Shelby’s family knew more people in town, so maybe they’d have some ideas about how to—
A loud pop sounded.
A crunch . The window.
Gunfire.
“Get down!” Ollie! Gray dove over the baby carrier just as another shot rang out. “Get down, get down!”
Shadow barked.
“Ollie!” Liddy screamed.
“I’ve got him!” Gray called.
“Stay down!” Caleb ordered as he tore into the living room, hunched low.
Tires squealed outside.
Beneath Gray, Ollie squalled. Had the baby been hit? Gray leaned back as Caleb charged forward.
Gray came to his feet and flipped on the light.
Caleb fumbled with the car seat restraints. The gunman had gotten off a shot before Gray had covered the infant. Had the child
been hit?
Please, God, no.
Caleb lifted the wailing baby from the carrier, searching for injuries. “I think he’s okay,” he called after a torturous moment.
“He’s all right!”
Stanley rushed to the door and peered through the sidelight. “They’re gone.” He reached for his phone.
Liddy and Shelby rushed in, Shadow on their heels and barking.
Liddy took the baby as Shelby flung herself into Gray’s arms. “Oh my gosh. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Did you see anything?” he asked Stanley over Shelby’s shoulder.
He shook his head. “I’d like to report a drive-by shooting at 2318 Juniper Drive.”
“Are you sure the baby’s all right?” Gray said.
“Yeah.” Liddy comforted the infant, pressed a kiss to his head. “He’s fine. He was just startled.”
Shelby eased away from Gray, her eyes widening on her hand. “You’re bleeding.” She turned him around. “Gray, you’re bleeding!”
“I’m fine.” Wasn’t he? Had he been shot? Why didn’t he feel any—? The very thought seemed to trigger pain in his shoulder.
Not terrible pain. He glanced down to search his chest for an exit wound. Nothing.
“We’re going to need an ambulance,” Stanley said into the phone.
“I think it’s just a graze,” Shelby called over the baby’s cries.
Caleb stepped away from Liddy and Ollie to take a look. “I don’t see an entry wound. Yeah, I think it’s just a graze.”
“Sit down,” Shelby told Gray.
“Let’s move into the other room,” Caleb said.
Once they were all in the dining room, Gray sank onto a chair, feeling shakier than he’d like to admit.
Shelby took off her sweater and pressed it to his shoulder. “It’s bleeding a lot.” Her tone conveyed her worry.
“I’m fine, honey.”
Shadow brushed against his leg, whimpering. Gray offered him some comfort.
“They’ll be here in a few minutes.” Stanley approached, frowning at Gray’s shoulder. “You all right?”
“It’s just a scratch.” Gray’s gaze drifted around the room. “Everyone’s all right. Thank God. It could’ve been so much worse.”
Silence pervaded as shock settled in. Someone had shot at his home. Ollie could’ve been killed. Gray could’ve been killed. What kind of hatred was this that someone would do such an awful thing?
“He covered Ollie.” Caleb’s voice was loud in the sudden silence. All heads swung his way. But Caleb was staring at Gray,
eyes wet. “You protected my son from that bullet.”
A shiver passed over Gray. That thought hadn’t occurred yet. It had all happened so fast. There hadn’t been time to think.
Tears trickled down Liddy’s face. “Thank you, Gray. I can’t even tell you—” Emotion prevented her from finishing the sentence.
Shelby squeezed his shoulder.
“I just did what anyone would’ve.”
“Thank you, Briggs.” Caleb blinked. “I won’t forget this.”
A siren wailed in the distance. They all stayed put until it was silenced. Red and blue flashed outside the home. Stanley
went to the door and opened it. A moment later the cop appeared in the doorway, his gaze falling on Gray. He had the nerve
to smirk.
Gray scowled at the sight of Mason Remington. “Are you the only cop in this godforsaken town?”