Shadowed by Kariss Lynch

You’re going to have to get used to a lot of tall stories and
vague answers. There’s a lot you don’t know, and there’s a lot you never will.”
    Nick’s arms tightened around her waist before he let her go. She hugged Micah again,
leaning into him under his arm. “Well, I’m glad you beat the shark. And I’m glad
you’re so tough.”
    A cry came from down the hall, and Conner walked out holding his sister’s hand. Kaylan
let go of Micah and walked to meet the little girl. Molly ran the rest of the way
to Kaylan and leapt into her arms, her tears soaking Kaylan’s t-shirt.
    Nick came up and put his hand on Kaylan’s back, leaning to peer into Molly’s eyes.
“Hey, ladybug.”
    â€œUncle Nick.” She reached for him, and Kaylan let her go as Nick took her weight.
For the first time she got a small glimpse of what life would be like with Nick,
with children. Her heart warmed at the thought.
    â€œWhat’s the matter, ladybug?” Nick smoothed away Molly’s tears.
    â€œMy daddy got hurt. Why didn’t you protect him, Uncle Nick?” Her tears nearly broke
Kaylan’s heart, and she saw pain flash across Nick’s face. The guys behind him bowed
their heads. Jay paced.
    â€œSometimes things happen that we can’t control, Molly. We got him home as quickly
as we could, and the doctors are going to take good care of him.”
    She nodded and leaned her head on Nick’s shoulder as he rocked her. Kim came out
of Logan’s room with the boys.
    â€œKaylan, do you mind taking the kids home and putting them to bed? I’ll be home in
a little bit.”
    Kaylan looked to Nick, who answered for both of them. “We’ll both take them home.
Why don’t we stay with them tonight? I’ll take them to school in the morning since
Kaylan has her internship. That way you can stay with Logan tonight.”
    Relief flooded Kim’s face. “Are you sure?”
    â€œOur pleasure.” Nick nodded to the men who had gathered around them.
    Jay stepped forward. “I’ll follow you and bring an overnight bag for Kim and Logan.”
    â€œBut . . . ”
    Kaylan intercepted Kim before she could protest. “I’ll pack it. Don’t worry.” She
hugged Kim. “We’ve got it under control.”
    The group followed Kaylan and Nick out to the cars. Nick took the keys from Kaylan
and climbed in the driver’s seat. The kids were silent. Kaylan watched him close
his eyes for just a moment and realized he must be exhausted. He turned on the car
and pointed it toward the Carpenter’s home.
    Kaylan wove her fingers through his free hand. The streets had emptied of most of
the traffic at 10:00 p.m., most people at home getting ready for the workday to come.
“Hey, why don’t you go home and get some sleep tonight? I’ve got the kids. I can
go in a little late in the morning.”
    The car stopped at a red light and Nick met her gaze, his voice low over the sound
of the radio playing Shane and Shane. “We made a promise we would be there for Kim
and Logan. I’m going to help tonight.”
    Kaylan nodded, knowing better than to argue with his decision. Once he made up his
mind, only an act of God could undo it. She ran her fingers through the hair at the
back of his neck, and he leaned into her touch like a cat responding to a good back
scratch. Not for the first time did she realize that she had the love of a man she
didn’t deserve. A man who put others before himself, no matter the personal cost.

Chapter 13
    I T TOOK ALMOST an hour for Molly to fall asleep. Kaylan curled up on the bed next
to her, stroking her hair and listening to her whimper until she finally went limp.
She looked so innocent with her arm wrapped around her teddy bear and her thumb in
her mouth. Her hero lay injured in a hospital bed, and that rocked her world.
    Kaylan remembered the feeling of seeing