Love Inspired Suspense April 2021--Box Set 2 of 2 by Laura Scott (free e reader .TXT) 📕

house. One shooter, or at least one gun. So that’s good. Better than an army of killers trying to take you out.”

Georgia opened her mouth, and Mae put a hand on her forearm. “Yes, Poppy. One killer is better than two. Just the comfort we need right now.”

“Right.” She gave them a thumbs-up and strode outside with a big box full of glass.

Georgia needed to get up and help with the cleanup, but no one would let her. Finally, they had everything straightened. Rhett held a broom, and Poppy stood in the middle of the living room with her hands on her hips, surveying the finished project.

Colt had a cell phone to his ear and a tape measure in his other hand. “Great, Junior. I owe you one, man. See you in an hour.” He pocketed his phone. “Herb Jr. has the size of windows we need in his shop. He’s going to get out here with a couple of guys and get it done. That gives me a slice of peace.” The slight scowl let her know he held a measure of frustration, too. “You have too many windows in your bedroom, Georgia. Could you sleep in the upstairs bedroom? One window makes a harder target. I’d feel safer. We’ll take three-hour watches, do perimeter sweeps. We actually have night goggles in our surveillance kit we keep in the SUV. It’s not ideal. I’d like to get you out of town—hundreds of miles away. But this will have to do.”

Georgia was overwhelmed. Tears stung the backs of her eyes. These people had come in and cleaned up her home, taken care of her dogs, made her tea—and she had no way to repay them. “I don’t know what to say. Thank y’all so much for going above and beyond the call of duty.”

“It’s all good gravy,” Poppy said and winked.

Rhett heaved an exaggerated sigh and slowly shook his head. “Just gravy, Poppy. It’s all gravy. Good gravy is an exclamation. You basically said it’s all good good. Like people saying, ‘ramen noodles.’ Ramen means noodle. Noodle noodle.” He pinched the bridge of his nose, as if he might not be able to take one more word.

“Okay, so it’s double good, which is better than one good. Either way.” Her smile was smug, and she wiggled her eyebrows at Rhett. Utter disgust distorted his features, but Poppy didn’t seem to be offended.

Georgia wanted to take a shower and hope it didn’t hurt too bad, then burrow under her covers.

“I want to see Coach Flanigan,” Colt said. “Bullets aren’t keeping me from knocking on his door.”

The fire in his eyes made it crystal clear he was on a mission and daylight wasn’t going to be wasted.

Hopefully, the killer wouldn’t come back tonight.

But he would come.

Coach Duncan Flanigan lived on Knob Hill in a large brick home surrounded by pastureland. Too bad Colt couldn’t legally get access to Coach’s financials. He’d like to see how he’d paid for this big home. If he was in cahoots with Ole Magnolia’s coach, Joe Jackson, he could be receiving hefty kickbacks for sending him star athletes.

Colt pulled into the circular drive and glanced at Georgia. She’d asked to come since she’d interviewed him years ago. Colt wasn’t sure at first if it was a smart idea—especially if the coach was the person attacking her—but then if he was, it might show in his facial responses. Of course, Colt couldn’t arrest someone because of a physical response, but it would be helpful.

Besides, Georgia had excellent insight and reporter instincts. She would be valuable. And that had brought him to the next quick discussion.

“He’s going to want to know why you, a reporter, are here with a cold case agent. So how about instead of going in as a nosy journalist, you go in as a consultant to the case. If it wasn’t for your keen deductions, this never would have opened up.”

She seemed surprised then grinned. “I like it. I can add it to my résumé and then maybe Charlie will realize he can leave the paper in capable hands.” She stared at the house and blew a long, heavy breath. “I admit I’m nervous. Not anxious, exactly. I could literally be walking into the lion’s den.”

“Well, pretend you’re Daniel and trust the Lord will get you out without being ripped to pieces.” He tugged on her hair in a playful gesture. “It’ll be okay. Use those wits of yours and approach with caution.”

“Excellent advice.”

“Also, you realize by now that everyone is going to know you’re Christi Cold.”

She smirked, and his heart thundered. “I’m aware the cat is out of the bag. Would have been anyway, due to my own investigating. I can live with that.”

“Okay, then. Follow my lead. You’re a consultant, not a reporter sniffing out a story.”

“Technically...” Her mischievous gleam made him chuckle.

“Technically, but for the sake of today...maybe reel it in, will you?”

“I’m not promising.” She laughed. “I’m kidding. I’ll be quieter than a church mouse.”

They clambered from the vehicle, and Colt snorted. Georgia and quiet went together like sardines and peanut butter. “Lying is a sin, and what did we agree the Bible said about sin?”

“Don’t do it?”

She was way too cute for her own good. He shook his head but remained amused. “Yeah. That.”

A Silverado was parked near the door, and a lazy black Lab napped on the front porch. The dog roused as they approached and barked once as if doing the bare minimum of his canine duty, then went back to sleeping.

Colt looked into Georgia’s eyes before ringing the doorbell. “I don’t want Coach to be guilty, but I also don’t want to go in biased. Pray for me?”

She rubbed his upper arm. “Already was.”

A zing passed between them. “Let’s do this, then.” He rang the doorbell.

Coach was as much a legend today as in the past. He hesitated, then recognition lit his eyes and the pleasure at seeing Colt splashed across his face. “Well, look who