Blindsided Read Online Free Page A

clue what she’s been through. Did you forget that? Whatever their game plan was, it must have worked because Maggie is staying and moving back to her own house.”
    Espinosa handed out cups of strong black coffee.
    â€œThis is just so sweet of you, Joseph,” Annie said, calling Espinosa by his given name. “Thank you so much for rescuing us. I’ll make sure you both get a very nice bonus in your paychecks.”
    Maggie swayed from side to side as she tried to focus on the little group in the kitchen. “Ted, I have a line on a story. I meant to tell Myra and Annie but . . . other things got in the way. It’s a story the Vigilantes need to know about.”
    Annie and Myra reared up at the same time. “Someone needs our help? Oh, this is just what we’ve been waiting for,” Myra said, clapping her hands.
    â€œHoorah!” Annie shouted. Then she lowered her voice, and said, “Marines always say that when something goes their way.”
    â€œTomorrow will be soon enough. We need to be clearheaded when I tell you. I want to go to sleep now, and I can’t think clearly,” Maggie said, as her legs finally gave out on her and her eyes closed. Ted reached for her, scooped her up, and carried her into one of the nests he’d made near the fire. He made sure the glass doors on the fireplace were closed tightly.
    â€œTed?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œThank you for everything. I’m sorry I hurt you. You know that song, ‘I Will Always Love You,’ the one Whitney Houston sang? That’s how I feel . . .” she said, her words trailing off into nothing. Ted stared down at the only woman he’d ever loved, would ever love, and smiled sadly. He felt something prick his eyelids. He blinked and stalked out to the kitchen, but not before one of Myra’s magnificent golden retrievers settled down next to his ladylove. In his mind, there was no greater protection than that of a dog. His love was in good protective paws.
    â€œMaggie’s asleep. If you two think you’ll be okay, Espinosa and I will be getting back to the paper. Call us if you need anything.”
    Annie drew herself up to her imposing regal height and fixed her gaze on her two loyal employees. “I trust this . . . this visit is between us, gentlemen.”
    â€œWhat visit?” Ted grinned as he opened the door for Espinosa. “If you need us, call. Smells good in here.”
    Myra’s eyes turned crafty. “Do you think so?”
    â€œOh, yeah,” Espinosa said.
    â€œWell, then, consider it yours,” Myra said, pulling out the electrical cord and handing the Crock-Pot over to Ted, who didn’t know what to do, so he just accepted it.
    Everyone waved good-bye.
    â€œI think you just did a very dangerous thing, my dear. Charles is going to be upset, isn’t he, Myra?”
    â€œAsk someone who cares about Crock-Pots. I-do-not-care!”
    â€œFeisty, aren’t we?” Annie tittered as she made her way to the family room, where she sank down, closed her eyes, and was asleep instantly.
    Myra smiled as she looked at the empty spot on the kitchen counter where the Crock-Pot had been sitting. Gremlins.
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    Charles Martin stepped into the kitchen and looked around. The first thing he noticed was his missing Crock-Pot, the empty cups on the table, and the absence of his beloved. The second thing he noticed was two strange jackets hanging on the wooden pegs near the back door. Guests!
    He called out, and the dogs came running, which was no surprise. But they didn’t approach him—the four dogs just stood in the doorway, their tails wagging furiously. “Aha! You want me to follow you, is that it?” He did, his hand flying to his mouth so he wouldn’t laugh out loud. “Shhh,” he said to the dogs as he backed out of the room. In the kitchen, he opened the door for the dogs. They looked up at him as much as if to say,