Free We're One by Mimi Barbour

it might be the way to go. Crystal won’t like it, she’s a mite independent, but it’ll be for her own good. Right?”
    Hesitation sounded in Rhett’s tone. “Right!”
    “You’re a genius, brother mine, a bloody, freaking genius. I trust your suggestions more than anyone’s.”
    “I have my moments. Listen! Call if you need backup. Otherwise, bring Dr. Andrews in on your plan. He’ll be a big help.”
    “Will do, Rhett.”
    “Take care of yourself. Wouldn’t want to have to serve a long prison sentence for avenging my little brother’s demise.”
    “Kiss Carrie for me. Tell her I said to behave.”
    “Like it’ll matter, damn stubborn female. I’ll see she gets that kiss—it’ll be an excuse to get my hands on her.”
    The dial tone sounded loudly in Ash’s ear, advising the call had come to an end. He felt a lot better now that he had a plan. He needed to get the doctor alone and on board so they could strategize. The faster he got Crystal to the vicarage bench, the better off they’d all be. Then he’d only have himself to look out for, and he’d been doing a pretty good job of that for a number of years.
    But no one had ever come after him with a gun before.
    ****
    “Dr. Andrews, your garden is lovely. I especially like this rose bush here behind the bench. How in the world did you cultivate three different colors in one single plant?” Crystal turned to gaze upon the lavish flowers blooming profusely.
    “Good grief! I’m not capable of producing such a miracle. All I did was get a cutting from the roots of another bush. It rather floored me when it took, and the new growth appeared. Unfortunately, there is a special power about the mother plant that failed to transplant into the baby, so these roses are for my enjoyment only.”
    “A power? Oh, you mean in the fragrance?” Crystal’s misty grey eyes enchanted the doctor, and her voice soothed. Smitten and fascinated, he wondered if she and Rhett’s wife had ever met. Carrie was another woman who delighted him.
    “Not exactly in the fragrance. More like a mystical sort of thing, hard to explain. To change the subject, I’m concerned with Ashley’s behaviour. He seemed distracted and actually rather worried. Is there anything wrong?”
    “I’ll let him explain it to you, Dr. Andrews. As long as we can remain here for a time, I have no doubt everything will turn out fine.”
    “Dear Miss Davis, you may stay as long as you wish. It would be my pleasure to deepen our acquaintance. After all, an old bachelor like myself enjoys the company of young people, especially beautiful young ladies.”
     
    ****
    “Do you agree with Rhett that the best way to protect her is to take her to the rose bush and use its magic?” Ashley paced back and forth in front of a thoughtful Dr. Andrews. They had waited for this meeting until tiredness had forced Crystal to go to her room, disgruntled and alone.
    “You say this Arnie character is vicious and intends to hurt that young woman? Then yes, absolutely I agree. She must be sheltered, at all costs. I’ll arrange for a hospital bed in one of the older wards where there are more nurses to watch the patients. I can also hint of an unsavoury relative who might wish to do her harm. The nurses would be more vigilant in that case.”
    “I don’t know how to thank you, Doctor.”
    “Happy to help, my boy. Life’s become a bit boring lately. Can’t tell you how much it delights me to have another adventure with that particular rose bush.”

Chapter Ten
     
    Arnie looked around the boarding room and caught on immediately that something was out of place. “Hey, Joey, how’d you get here so fast?”
    Joey couldn’t believe his rotten luck when he looked up. His nemesis lumbered into the area where he sat waiting for the next flight.
    “I hung around after the cops came, and I heard you telling them you were taking a plane to Manchester. Figured we’d meet up when you got here.”
    “I could have sworn