“Yes,” Eli replied, because there was no sense in beating around the bush. If Freddie Lansing got an opportunity to hurt Eric or Hayley, he’d do it, not just because he wanted revenge for the events of last summer, but to get back at Eli for giving him a hard time tonight.

Sara got up, filled two cups before the coffee maker had finished its noisy work and brought them to the table.

“Tell me,” she said. “Tell me everything, Eli.”

So he did.

He told Sara about his exchange with Eric, back at Bailey’s, and the text the boy had shown him. Then he went on to describe the encounter with Freddie and his father, out at the Lansing place.

Sara sat in silence, stoic and pale. She was used to fending for herself, with what little help she would allow Eli to give her, but this development had obviously shaken her. And with good reason.

When he’d given his account, he took out his phone and played what he’d recorded during the confrontation with the Lansings.

Sara closed her eyes and swayed slightly, and Eli reached out to steady her. At the mention of Hayley, she winced.

“Listen to me,” Eli said gently, once the recording was over, “I’m going to do everything I can to keep Eric and Hayley safe, and anybody else he goes after, too, of course. The more I think about it, though, the less I think it’s a good idea to send either of the kids away from the Creek.”

Sara nodded bleakly, thrust the splayed fingers of one hand through her hair. Sighed. “If Eric and Hayley are away from Freddie, they’ll be away from us, too. And nobody can protect them the way we can.”

“I can think of one person who can,” Eli said, very quietly. He knew Hayley was at the slumber party over at Melba’s place, but Eric was home. He might be just out of sight, listening in.

Sara’s forehead crumpled slightly as she frowned. “Who?”

Eli considered his answer solemnly before he gave it.

“Dan Summers,” he said at long last.

Sara’s eyes widened. “Melba’s ex-husband?”

“Yep.”

“But he—they—”

“Whatever happened between Melba and Dan on a personal level is their business, Sara.” He paused, took a sip of his coffee. “He’s in security. I can’t be around 24/7, but he—or his crew—can.”

“Melba says—”

“Sara, I don’t give a rat’s ass what Melba says. Like I just said, that’s between the two of them.”

Sara narrowed her eyes. “She said he cheated on her.”

“Come on, Sara! I know that’s a sore spot with you, after Zach and all the asshat tricks he pulled, but that has nothing to do with Dan’s ability to keep Eric and Hayley safe until I can nail Freddie Lansing and, if necessary, his weasel of a father, too.”