Her Unlikely Protector by Regan Black

Author:Regan Black [Black, Regan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2021-03-09T14:13:47+00:00

Chapter 6

Leo woke refreshed, having slept soundly for the first time in days. His dreams of Aubrey’s tantalizing body were a restorative break from nightmares about his sister. He waited for the guilt over that to kick in as he hurried through a cold shower.

He was still waiting for his conscience to scold him while he opened the radio app on his phone, listening to a morning show while he shaved. At the break for local news, a weatherman urged people in the area to take the threat seriously and prepare appropriately.

Done shaving, Leo switched the radio for the television while he dressed in the warmest clothing he had for his search. Just as Aubrey predicted, the storm was the dominant story on every channel. A graphic flashed on the screen with a list of supplies for a storm emergency kit.

The screen split, showing the list on one side and the studio on the other. Seated in front of a fire hearth set, Councilman Keller gave information about where people could pick up ready-made kits if they couldn’t afford them.

“Don’t be shy,” Keller said. “It’s times like this when our community shines brightest. There’s no reason anyone should go cold or hungry. We’re pulling out all the stops to make this a zero-loss storm.”

Leo grabbed his phone, taking a picture as a list of emergency shelters was announced. The picture was grainy but readable. He followed the link posted at the bottom of the screen and bookmarked the channel’s website in case more shelters were opened.

Lara wouldn’t stay out in this nasty weather and she wouldn’t let others do so, either. Unless she turned to a friend in town, she would have to be at one of these shelters. He wouldn’t hold his breath that a friend would contact him, but he had to keep believing that when his sister had a chance, she’d let him know she was safe.

He would be diligent in his search today. It helped knowing Aubrey would be looking. And Grant. Combining all of their resources, Leo believed they would find her. Find her safe and healthy. And then she could explain what she was trying to prove or accomplish.

While the in-room coffeemaker sputtered through the first cup of the day, Leo tried the visualization technique the family counselor had taught him shortly after his dad died. In that situation, he was to tap into a happy memory and reconstruct it to keep those good feelings top of mind. To maintain the connection to his father and grandfather and reframe the present, knowing he’d been well loved.

The exercise provided an essential reminder when his mother could barely stand the sight of him. Those visualizations helped him feel safe and a bit less battered by the constant sorrow and guilt his mother heaped on his head.

Today Leo brought to mind one of the happy, casual mornings he’d enjoyed with his sister during the recent winter break. They’d shared coffee, jokes and relatively aimless chatter over his kitchen table.

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