SAFE BY HIS SIDE (MANHUNT) Read Online Free PDF Page A

couldn’t lean on him too much.
    That might get to be a habit. Then what would she do when he left?
    She needed her independence. She’d worked too hard to regain it to relinquish it now.
    A muscle ticked in his jaw as they walked up to the front door. Jenny had planted a flower garden to the right, the flowers dancing in the evening breeze, orange and yellow against the green grass. The sun had set, the rainbow of colors majestic on the horizon, reminding her how beautiful Texas was.
    Yet there was nothing beautiful about what she’d come to do. She would be exposing her worst pain, her biggest humiliation. Bringing her new friend into the dark world she’d barely survived.
    Damn Robert Simpleton. She hated him more than she’d ever thought possible to hate another living soul.
    Micah knocked, and a second later Jenny answered, a handsome blond guy beside her dressed in jeans, a dressy western shirt and boots. Lenora had met him once; his name was Troy Benson. Jenny was totally in love, and Lenora could see the adoration on Troy’s face as he threw an arm around Jenny.
    But a worried look pulled at Jenny’s heart shaped face as she glanced at Micah. “Come on in, Lenora. What’s going on?”
    Lenora gestured toward Micah. “This is Sgt. Micah Hardin with the Texas Rangers.”
    Jenny introduced her boyfriend then led them to the den. Light colors and lots of throw pillows and rugs gave it a classy but comfortable feel.
    Lenora folded her hands in her lap, twisting her fingers. “There’s something I have to tell you.” She exhaled a deep breath. “Something I should have told you a long time ago.”
    Jenny’s eyes clouded over. “He escaped, didn’t he?”
    Lenora swallowed hard. “What?”
    “The man who kidnapped you and…hurt you,” Jenny said softly. “I saw the news. He escaped from prison.”
    Lenora was too stunned to speak for a moment. “You knew? How? When?” Lenora gulped. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
    Jenny’s expression softened. “I figured you’d tell me when you were ready.”
    Jenny opened her arms and wrapped them around Lenora. Lenora choked on a sob, desperately trying to hold herself together. Footsteps shuffled, and she realized Micah and Troy had discreetly left the room to give them some privacy.
    “I’m sorry, Jenny,” Lenora said, swiping at her tears. “It’s just been so…hard.”
    “I hope they kill the maniac,” Jenny said, her voice fierce.
    Lenora laughed through her tears. “Me, too.” She pulled away and clenched Jenny’s hands. Maybe while she’d been hiding out here, trying not to get close to anyone, trying to shield herself, she’d actually found a new best friend.
     

     
    “So you think this creep is coming after Lenora?” Troy asked.
    Micah nodded. “Oh, yeah. He wants revenge.”
    Troy raked a hand through his thick hair, sending the ends standing up. “So why did Lenora come to see Jenny? Is Lenora going to disappear until he’s caught?”
    “If I have anything to do with it, yes,” Micah said, knowing Lenora would probably balk. “But Simpleton might use anyone Lenora cares about to trap her.”
    Troy’s blue eyes narrowed to angry slits. “You mean he might try to kidnap Jenny?”
    “That’s exactly what I mean,” Micah said.
    Troy leaned against the kitchen counter, his arms crossed. “He’ll have to kill me first.”
    If the situation hadn’t been so grave, and if he didn’t know how sadistic Simpleton was, Micah would have almost smiled at Troy’s protective stance. “My advice would be to take Jenny somewhere safe.”
    “What about the business?” Troy asked. “Jenny and Lenora will never leave their clients in a bind.”
    Micah sighed. He was afraid that would be a problem. “Is there anyone who can cover the shop for a few days?”
    Troy shrugged. “They have a lady named Wilma who answers the phones and mans the business when they go out on consults. I think she’s been on vacation the last couple of