Storm Watch (Woodland Creek) by Hope Welsh, Woodland Creek Page A

don’t know what to do,” she whispered. “I’m afraid.”
    He helped her to sit up when she tried to rise. “I know you are, Storm. But, you have got to trust me.”
    Storm looked over at the police chief. “Why is he still here?”
    TJ chuckled. “Don’t worry. I’m not taking you to jail. But, I do need to know what’s going on with this Samuels. I haven’t been able to even find an inkling that he’s not exactly what he appears to be.”
    Luke looked over at the older man. “She’s telling the truth.”
    TJ shook his head and sighed. “I didn’t say she wasn’t, Luke. I trust your judgment. But, it is going to make it difficult to pursue this. If no one is watching him, or looking into him, I have nowhere to start. What was the name of the man that he killed, Storm?”
    “John. John Hendricks. He worked for Raymond,” she said. “And Raymond shot him in cold blood. Then, he put the gun in my hand and forced me to shoot him. I—I ran as soon as I could.”
    Luke sat next to her and hugged her. “Well, at least that gives us a starting point. We can see if the killing has been reported. I should have thought of it sooner.”
    “Hell, I should have asked you when we spoke before,” TJ said. “Let me make a call.”
    “There is no cell reception here in the house,” Luke said.
    “Damn, I’d forgotten that. Alright, I’ll call as soon as I get a signal. Do you two have a plan of action? We’re short on manpower what with this damn storm.”
    “My plan is to keep Storm safe,” Luke drawled. “Whatever it takes. The man is a killer—and he’s not getting his hands on Storm. I’ve got Mercedes keeping an eye out. I’ll check in with her if she doesn’t call.”
    Storm looked at him. “Do I have any say in this at all?”
    Both men looked at her, then, TJ shrugged. “What say do you want?” he asked.
    “Well,” she began. “I’d like to know how you plan on stopping him!”
    Luke turned and looked at her. “Whatever it takes. If he steps foot on this property, he’s a dead man. It’s as simple as that.”
    TJ frowned. “Don’t just shoot him, Luke! The justice system can work. Give it a chance.”
    Luke turned on TJ. “You’ve known me for years, TJ. Do you honestly believe I would kill someone in cold blood? But, that being said, he’ll get one chance to leave if he shows up. Then, all bets are off.”
    TJ sighed. “Yeah, I guess I can understand that. Does this guy have magic? Is he a shifter or wizard?”
    Luke tried to make eye contact with TJ to keep him from mentioning the possibility, but it was too late. Storm looked at him with wide eyes. “Is that possible?” she asked, her voice high.
    Luke didn’t groan, but he wanted to. “Thanks, TJ,” he muttered, then turned to Storm. “I don’t know if he has powers or not. But, I’m not ruling the possibility out.”
    “Then we need to go! We need to hide. No, wait. I need to hide,” she said. “I hadn’t even thought it remotely possible.”
    “No, we’re not running and we’re not hiding. I’m willing to send you somewhere safe—but I’m going nowhere,” he said, with steel in his voice. “Do you want me to send you to a safe house? Hell, I should do that. TJ? Who in town do we trust?”
    “No! I’m not leaving you here alone!”
    “Then we stay and we fight, if it comes down to that. It’s possible he’ll give up, though.” Even as he said the words, though, he knew it was a lie. Men like Samuels didn’t give up—not when they wanted something. Whether he wanted Storm alive or dead was up in the air.
    He didn’t imagine, though, that Samuels would want to kill the mother of his unborn child.
    “I’ll set up routine patrols in the area, and check the inn for guests that can’t be explained,” TJ offered.
    “Thanks, appreciate it. I think I’ll check in with Arnold James at the Convent. If anyone’s lurking, he’d be the first to know. His sense of smell is even better than mine,” Luke