Free No Reason to Run by Michelle Howard Page B

settled. More of
Chloe’s weight slumped forward as her daughter literally climbed into his lap
drawn to the safety he represented.
    “Your wife,” Olivia
forced herself to repeat. The green-eyed monster took a huge bite out of her
but she continued. “She’s lucky to have you.”
    “Princess, you’re
nuts.” A grin curved his lips upward. “I told you last night I’m not married.”
    Heat warmed her
cheek. She couldn’t recall what he’d said exactly but the feminine touches in
his home denoted some sort of female visitor.
    “Man, it’s all that
girly decoration your mom and Eden set-up.” Brody chuckled. “Your place looks
like a fu-“ He stopped the curse in time but Chloe’s eyes stayed on Shane.
“Your place looks like a funny woman lives there.”
    Olivia snickered at
the substitute wording. She appreciated his tact. “Eden?” Shoving the mask up
once again, her look questioned them.
    “Shut it, Brody.” At
last Shane’s growl was directed at someone else.
    “Hold still.” Brody
flashed a light in her face. Poked at her some more. “How do you feel?
Breathing okay?”
    She nodded waiting
for a response to her question.
    “Eden’s my sister.”
Shane rose to his feet, shifting Chloe in order to secure her over his
shoulder. His hand cupped Olivia’s elbow bringing her to her feet. She swayed
slightly and caught both men frowning.
    “Brody?” Shane kept
his eyes on her but spoke to his friend.
    Brody removed the
mask entirely and grasped the back of his neck. He sighed. “You already know my
recommendation.”
    “McKenna, get over
here.” The deep voice rang out drawing their attention.
    Several firefighters
gathered in a circle with police officers huddled nearby. Olivia noticed dogs
in vests with a few of the uniformed men. Brody turned and waved a hand in a
waiting gesture.
    “Take her in and get
them both looked at, Shane.”
    Take them in .
Olivia gasped. “No. I’m not going to the hospital.” She couldn’t. Hospitals had
records. Brian would find them. Both her hands landed on Shane’s chest. Her
fingers brushed Chloe’s legs. “We can’t.” She locked eyes with him as the gray
orbs misted over.
    Brody gaped at her
reaction but she paid him no mind. Shane had to listen to her.
    His hard stare
searched her face. Frustration flashed across his features. “I’m taking them
home, Brody. The lady doesn’t want to go to the hospital.”
    Olivia swallowed
thickly. Shane wasn’t going to force them.
    “If you’re sure
she’s fine.” Brody brushed a light hand over Chloe’s tangled curls. She never
stirred. “Chloe seems fine to me.” His brow quirked in Olivia’s direction. “I
don’t like this one’s cough. If either of them experience dizziness, double
vision or vomiting, you take them to the hospital and I don’t care what she’s worried about.”
    “McKenna.” The voice
roared with impatience.
    The men shared a
mutual look Olivia couldn’t decipher. “They’ll talk with her later.” Brody
slapped Shane on the back and walked to join the growing circle of uniformed
personnel.
    “Let’s go.” Shane
turned on his heel and headed for the parking lot.
    Olivia hesitated.
“Do I need to talk to somebody?”
    Shane kept walking.
“Brody will call me for arrangements. He knows that’s the way to reach you
right now.”
    She trotted to catch
up missing the warmth of his touch. Olivia eyed the devastation around her, the
face of crying people and absorbed the reality of a bomb exploding. This
couldn’t have anything to do with her. Brian didn’t even know she was in
Virginia. Police and firefighters alike nodded at Shane, some calling out his
name in greeting as they walked by but Shane’s stride never slowed down as he
acknowledged them with a lift of his chin.
    They arrived at his
car in the same spot where he’d dropped them off. Olivia waited while he opened
the rear door and slid Chloe in while securing her seatbelt. Mr. Snuffles sat
in the back