Free Devoted Defender by Rachel Dylan Page B

your trust, Annie.”
    “This isn’t about you, Caleb. I’m the one with issues. You shouldn’t have to deal with my baggage. You don’t deserve that. You have your own life to attend to.”
    He reached out and grabbed onto her hand. “But that’s the thing, Annie. I find myself really enjoying the time we have together.”
    She sucked in a breath, trying to formulate her answer. But before she could respond, a loud pop burst through the silent evening. The next thing she knew, Caleb had pushed her down on the porch floor, covering her body with his own. She heard the dogs barking loudly from inside the house. Her heart pounded as fear tore through her. This was it. She could die right now. They both could die.
    Another shot was fired and her entire body shook. Caleb lifted up off of her for one second and returned fire—getting off three shots in quick succession.
    “Stay low!” He held onto her and pushed her toward the door. He reached up and grabbed the knob. “Go inside. Go to an interior room and lock yourself in. Do not come back out here. I’ll come and get you once it’s safe.”
    She listened to him as her pulse continued to race. The dogs were going crazy jumping and barking. They knew something was wrong. She did as he directed and moved toward the bathroom on the first floor. Buddy and Bailey followed her, sensing the imminent danger that surrounded them.
    As she locked the three of them into the bathroom, she realized that fresh, hot tears were pouring down her face. Someone was trying to kill her. All because she’d witnessed a murder. She should’ve never been at the Perry’s in the first place. Why had she needed to try that recipe so badly? This all could’ve been avoided. But now here she was, caught in the crossfire again.
    She highly doubted that the bathroom door would keep her safe against an armed assailant, but she had no other option. Her mind flashbacked to the last time she had locked herself in a room trying to protect herself from danger. But this time was different, she reminded herself. This time she didn’t have a gun, but she wasn’t alone either. She had to count on Caleb to protect her. He was putting his life on the line for her. To defend her.
    She huddled in the corner of the bathroom hugging tightly onto Buddy while Bailey stood guard by the door. She could feel the rapid beat of Buddy’s heartbeat. But he was right there with her. Providing her comfort. As the minutes ticked by, she knew it hadn’t been that long, but it felt like an eternity.
    What if the gunman had killed Caleb? Taking a few deep breaths she had to calm down. Lord, I can’t get through this alone. I need You now to protect us from harm. Be with me, dear Lord.
    When she heard Caleb’s voice calling to her from the other side of the door, relief flooded through her that he was alive. Thank you, Lord.
    “Open the door, Annie. It’s me.”
    Bailey and Buddy started barking when they heard Caleb’s voice. Slowly, she stood up and tried to gather herself. She knew she looked like a hot mess.
    She opened the door and gasped. Blood was streaked down Caleb’s cheek. Instinctively, she reached out and touched his face. “You’re bleeding.”
    “I got slashed by a tree branch in the backyard when I was chasing down the shooter. It’s nothing serious.”
    It looked bad to her. “Are you sure?”
    “Yes, I’m fine. I promise. I’ve had much worse than this.”
    “Did you get him?”
    “No. He got away.” He ran his hand through his hair. “I hate to do this to you, Annie, but we need to get out of here. It’s not safe anymore.”
    “What about the dogs?”
    “Mac’s going to take them. I just called him on my way back inside, and he’s on his way over here. Can you pack up your things?”
    “Yes.” She tried to process everything he was saying, but she was still in a state of shock. Seeing the blood that had run down his face made everything even more real.
    “Annie,” he said