The Hero She Deserves - Page 66

It made her feel better that it was out of sight.

Back in the kitchen, she opened some drawers looking for a baking tray. Ah hah. She pulled out a frypan to get to the tray. After greasing it, she put the cookies on the tray, and slid them into the oven.

Right, what next?Her gaze fell on the laptop at the dining table. Time to get back to work.

Hollis tucked her legs beneath her on the chair and got searching. She continued digging deeper into Reuben’s life. Instead of focusing on his recent history, she was looking into his earlier life. There was a short gap in his early schooling. He’d been born and raised in California, but there wasn’t any record of his first few years of school. It was weird.

Maybe he’d been homeschooled? She wasn’t sure, but something felt off. She’d keep looking into it.

The oven dinged. Rising, she pulled the cookies out and set them on the counter to cool.

She looked out the window, her gaze drawn to an orange-and-black butterfly fluttering around one of the bushes. Oh, she guessed it was a Kamehameha butterfly. The state insect of Hawaii.

More movement.

That’s when she caught a glimpse of a man disappearing into the bushes near the cottage.

Her blood ran cold.

No. Someone had found them.

She stood there frozen and got another glimpse of him. He was heading toward the house.

Hollis came to life and raced over to the front door and checked that it was locked. Then, she quickly moved down the short hall to the back door, and made sure that was locked, too.

Were those footfalls she could hear on the deck outside? Fear was hot in her veins as she raced back to the kitchen.

What to do? Should she hide?

As she was churning over her choices, she heard a noise.

In thehallway.

Oh, God. He was inside.

She dropped down behind the island. She peered around the edge and saw the man emerge from the hall.

Her heart leaped into her throat.How did he get in?

He was tall and solid, with black hair shaved very short. He’d probably be considered handsome, if not for the flat look in his eyes, the scar on his jaw, and the intense vibe he gave off.

This man was a killer.

God, the gun was across the room. She squeezed her eyes closed. It was too far away.

She stayed crouched in the kitchen, trying to stay calm. He hadn’t spotted her. Yet.

Her throat was tight, and her breathing fast. She needed a weapon. She’d hit the guy, then escape. She’d hide until Sawyer got back.

She dragged in a deep breath, pushing her fear down. She could do this.

Her gaze snagged on the handle of the frying pan that she’d left on the counter earlier. Slowly, she reached up and grabbed the handle. Carefully and slowly, she slid the pan toward her and off the counter. She clutched it to her chest. It was made of iron and very sturdy.

Her grip tightened on the handle. She didn’t hear the man, but she sensed him getting closer.

You can do this, Hollis.

She leaped up and rounded the counter. She swung the frying pan.