Free Lone Defender (Love Inspired Suspense) by Shirlee McCoy Page A

location would be.
    An hour later, he’d managed to talk the doctor into writing a prescription for Skylar’s antibiotics, convince the police to run a patrol by his place, boot his sister out of the garage apartment for a few nights and arrange for his father and stepmother to drop off his truck at the hospital.
    He shoved his cell phone into his pocket, watching while the nurse took out Skylar’s IV and pressed a Band-Aid into place. “You’re all set, Ms. Grady. Your clothes are in the drawer, and the doctor’s instructions are here.” She handed Skylar a sheet of paper.
    “Thanks.”
    “You’ll need to follow up with your personal physician in the next day or two, and if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Sawyer. Here isthe prescription the pharmacy filled for you. Now just hold tight while I get the wheelchair.”
    She hurried away, and Skylar dug out her clothes from the drawer. “Six days didn’t treat these very well.”
    “Here.” Jonas pulled clean jeans and a T-shirt from his backpack. “They’ll be big, but they might be a better option.”
    “Almost anything would be better. Thanks.” She smiled, and his breath caught in surprise at the beauty of it. He turned away, uncomfortable with his reaction. In the past year, friends had tried setting him up with sisters, cousins and friends of friends. He’d gone out a few times, had pleasant dates with pleasant women who’d left him feeling nothing but mild interest. Gabriella had been his first and only real love. Four years after her death, and he knew he’d never find another woman like her. Wasn’t really interested in trying to.
    Skylar was nothing like her. So what was it about the woman that had him so intrigued?
    Nothing, that’s what.
    He wasn’t intrigued, he was annoyed, exhausted and ready to say goodbye to Skylar and her problems.
    Ready, but not able.
    Even if he hadn’t agreed to keep an eye on her, he couldn’t walk away. Not when he knew how much danger she was in.
    She might not want a bodyguard, but she was getting one.
    It was as simple as that.
    He walked out into the hall, waiting impatiently while Skylar changed, his thoughts jumping ahead, plotting their next step the way he had when he’d worked border patrol.
    He and Skylar had been at a disadvantage the previous night, outnumbered and outgunned, taken by surprise. Here, things were different. The perps’ approach would have to be different, too. They’d have to come one at a time or risk being detected before they attacked. But the advantagewouldn’t truly be on his and Skylar’s side until they figured out who was after her. And why.
    “They’re a little big, but I’m making them work.” Skylar stepped into the corridor.
    “A little big” was an understatement.
    Faded jeans brushed the floor, despite the number of times she’d rolled the cuffs. His worn blue shirt hung almost to her knees, the crew neck slipping to reveal hints of creamy skin and a scar that ran down the middle of her sternum.
    She must have noticed the direction of his gaze, because she hiked the shirt back into place, covered the scar with her hand.
    “There’s no need to try to hide it,” he said.
    “There is if I want to avoid questions.” She let her hand fall away, offered a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
    “Too late for that.”
    “I figured as much.”
    “Is that from one of the bullets?”
    “Yes.”
    “What happened?”
    “A dirty partner. A drug bust that went bad. Movie-of-the-week stuff. Or maybe soap opera. I still haven’t figured out which.”
    “What happened to your partner?”
    “He was killed during the gunfight. Friendly fire. At least, that’s what everyone said until I was able to tell them he wasn’t a friend. This—” she gestured to the scar “—was his work. He shot me almost before I’d realized he’d pulled a gun.” She touched the edge of the scar, then tugged the shirt into place to cover the