The Texan's Surprise Baby (Bell Family 2)

Andrew slammed a hand down on the counter in frustration. “So I’ve been focusing on a plan for lighting and closed-circuit cameras without even knowing there was an unsecured entrance to the damn resort?”

He was aware that everyone except his brother was looking at him in surprise. Aaron was more accustomed to seeing Andrew’s rare but occasionally explosive bursts of temper.

“We’ve never really had any serious problems here before,” Shelby explained tentatively. “I mean, sure, we’ve had to summon the police a few times for drunk-and-disorderly calls. The evil ex caused us all that trouble last summer, but he didn’t sneak into the resort in the process. Even when Landon—or whatever his real name was—grabbed me, it was a stupid and impulsive act, not a well-planned, covert operation. The old road just never crossed our minds.”

“I want a topographical map of this place. I want to know every possible way in or out, even if it’s just a footpath.”

Hannah studied Andrew with a raised eyebrow in response to his imperious commands. “You are aware that you aren’t on the job here, right?”

He leveled a look at her. “Let’s just say I have a vested interest in keeping this family safe.”

Maggie coughed.

Shelby smiled weakly at Aaron. “Is he th

is protective of all his former clients?”

“Not so much,” Aaron murmured, his expression suddenly speculative.

“I will find out who’s behind this,” Andrew promised. “If it’s Cavender, I’ll find proof, and I’ll put a stop to it.”

“You have to be back in Dallas Monday,” Hannah reminded him.

“I’m in, too,” Aaron said immediately. “I’ll help you investigate and keep an eye on Hannah when you aren’t here.”

Feeling torn between his responsibilities in Dallas and his concern about Hannah and the baby, Andrew nodded shortly.

“Should we call the police about what happened tonight?” Shelby asked.

Even as he glanced at Andrew for confirmation, Aaron was shaking his head. “There’s nothing really to report. Without evidence that there was actual sabotage to the porch, they’ll say it’s just as likely the screws were left out in construction.”

Maggie scowled. “Our dad would never—”

“He said we need proof,” Hannah cut in to remind her sister. “If there’s a way to prove who did this, Andrew will find it.”

Even though gratified by her confidence, Andrew was still on edge. He was relieved that the others left not long afterward, Maggie declaring that Andrew probably had some questions for Hannah and then Hannah needed to rest. The way Maggie looked at him as she rushed his brother and her cousins out made him wonder if she either knew or suspected his role in Hannah’s pregnancy. He watched Aaron and Shelby help Steven across the road, then closed the door and turned back to Hannah.

He wasn’t sure what he expected her to say, but it wasn’t “Okay, now that everyone is gone, take off your shirt.”

He lifted an eyebrow. “I beg your pardon?”

She advanced on him with a frown of determination. “I know you didn’t want to make a big deal of your fall in front of the others, but I’ve seen the way you wince every time you turn sideways. I want to see the damage.”

“I’m okay, Hannah. Bruised and a little sore, but I wasn’t really hurt.”

Her hands were already working at the top button of his now-dirty white shirt. “Take it off.”

Sighing, he covered her hands with his. “This isn’t exactly the way I’d hoped to hear you say this.”

Her mouth twitched with the hint of a smile, but she didn’t let him distract her that easily. “I just want to make sure you’re really okay, Andrew.”

He couldn’t argue with the genuine concern in her liquid emerald eyes. Resigned, he nodded and completed the task, himself, stripping the shirt away. Her intake of breath confirmed his suspicion that he bore a few scrapes and bruises from the fall. She reached out to brush her fingertips very lightly over his left side. Even though she barely touched him, he felt the tenderness of the skin there.

“You have a bad scrape here,” she said, her voice not entirely steady, though she was obviously trying to mask her emotions. “It bled a little. Let me clean it up and put some ointment on it. Do you think the rib is broken?”

“Cracked maybe,” he replied honestly, keeping his tone gentle. “Not the first time I’ve cracked a rib. I’ll be okay, Hannah.”

She kept her eyes on the scrape as she drew a long breath. “I can’t tell you how scared I was when you fell. You just...disappeared in front of my eyes. I was so afraid you were...”