Regan had grabbed a camera case off Caz’s deck. “Hey, Aric, Papá gave me his camera, so we can take pictures of the baby ducks. I can take pictures of you an’ your mom too.” The girl turned to Kit for permission since they had a rule of no kids near the water without an adult watching.

Kit nodded and angled in that direction.

Good mom.

Chapter Four

Make yourself a sheep and the wolves will eat you. ~ Ben Franklin

On Sunday evening, Kit followed Frankie across the Hermitage courtyard, and her heartrate increased at the number of people on the patio.

No, no, there weren’t so many. Really.

The logic didn’t help.

One by one, she named them, trying to convince herself to relax.

Bull was grilling freshly caught salmon.

In a cute chef’s hat, ten-year-old Regan was helping him. It was adorable how much she looked like her father, Cazador, who stood nearby.

Prior to her rescue, Caz had set her arm—before Obadiah broke it a second time. The dark-haired, dark-eyed nurse practitioner had been kind, his hands gentle, as he asked her how she’d been hurt. However, with Aric held hostage in the PZ compound, she’d had to lie.

Beside Caz was his girlfriend, JJ. About Kit’s height, but far more muscular, the police officer had a strong face, neck-length, curly auburn hair, and bright turquoise eyes. She and Audrey had visited Kit in the hospital to reassure her that they’d help care for Aric.

Rescue’s librarian, blonde Audrey, stood at the other end of the picnic table with her fiancé, Gabe. A big man with a rough-hewn, cynical face, the chief of police was JJ’s boss.

His eyes narrowed when he saw Kit.

Fear jolted through her, and her feet came to a halt.

Living in Bull’s house, she’d gotten used to Bull and his size—as long as he didn’t move too fast. Although shorter, Gabe was even scarier.

Audrey slapped Gabe’s arm and said something to him. He blinked, and his expression changed. They both moved forward.

Heaven help her, but she wanted to run. I will not flee.

Tensing, she held her ground.

Eyes filled with sympathy, Audrey said, “When I first got to Rescue, Gabe looked at me with his I’m-a-mean-old-cop expression, and I almost ran too.”

Kit’s mouth dropped open, and her stomach went tight. “Don’t—” But he didn’t backhand his girlfriend for hitting him or for the insult.

No, he wouldn’t. Normal people didn’t act like that.

She pulled in a breath. Although she’d lived only months with the PZs, somehow, they’d warped her world.

After another quick breath, she managed to smile at the police chief. “Forgive me, please. Your…expression…is quite effective.”