Chapter 24
As they layon the cushioned bench later, Ian traced the shape of her face with a fingertip. They can't go back from here. But he's glad. He needs her in his life. And they'll work out their differences like the adults they've become.
In the distance Ham began barking and Piper stirred.
"Wonder what's gotten into him." She said in a drowsy voice.
The sound of breaking glass shattered the stillness of the night and Ham went into a bigger frenzy of barking.
Ian jumped up from the bench, eyes scanning the floor for the pistol he dropped earlier. As he yanked his jeans on, he spotted it on the floor just under the edge of the bench. He grabbed it, spun and came face-to-face with Piper.
"Stay here. And don't make a sound. I'll be back quick as I can." He crushed his lips against her protests and raced down the stone path to the house.
He didn't look behind him to see if Piper had followed his instructions. A fall in the dark on this rough stone could delay him enough to cost Matt MacKenzie his life. Ian didn’t doubt that Matt had returned home at some point and felt sure the assassin had chosen tonight to make his move. Had possibly followed Matt home from town.
He saw Matt step out the front door as he approached the house at a run. Damn. What was Matt thinking? He was silhouetted against the light from inside the house. A perfect target for a crack shot hit man.
Matt's hand swung up, cradling a shot gun and the roar of it filled the night. What the hell had he loaded that thing with?
Ian used the distraction to race across the open lawn to the shrubbery next to the porch rail.
A figure dressed in black with a hoodie steps from the shadows behind the porch swing and grabbed the mayor from behind in a choke hold. Matt swung the shot gun like a bat but couldn't connect with the man behind him.
Ian raced up the steps, pistol at the ready. "Let him go. Now."
The intruder shoved the mayor at Ian, tangling them together as the shadow figure jumped the porch rail. Something hard clattered to the boards.
As Ian picked up a sheathed Bowie knife from the porch, Ham raced from the back of the house full speed after the man in black. Growling and barking in deep voice that must be waking every neighbor within a mile. But no porch lights flashed on.
A yelp in the distance brought Piper from her hiding place around the corner of the house.
She called to her dog and he came limping into view. Piper raced to the injured dog, cradling him in her arms and crooning to him as she ran her hands over him to search for injuries.
Ian glanced at the mayor. "Are you injured, sir?"
"No. Everything's in operating order. "Matt shifted his shoulders, shook his legs. "You scared him away before he did any real harm. I sure wish you'd been able to capture him."
"I do, too. I couldn't fire at him for fear of hitting you in the attempt." Ian showed him the knife. "This feel as he leapt over the porch rail. Looks like maybe he was planning on cutting you."
Piper led her limping dog to the porch where the two of them stood glaring up at Ian and Matt.
"Somebody better give me a clear explanation of what's going on here." She stated.
