Love Inspired Suspense September 2015 #2 Read Online Free Page A

for a couple of weeks and let it heal...or you can risk further injury.”
    Tonya eased toward the door one more time and glanced out. The workstation for the doctors and nurses was directly opposite. Everyone seemed busy. She glanced left, then right. No sign of Hank.
    Wait. Was that him? She looked closer. The man talking to the nurse turned and she sucked in a deep breath. No doubt about it—that was
definitely
him. The shaggy hair and goatee couldn’t hide his chillingly familiar features.
    The doctor tapped her on the shoulder and she jumped with a high-pitched squeak. The man raised a brow and settled his hands on her upper arms. “Are you okay?”
    Tonya felt the heat climb into her cheeks and nodded. “Sorry, I’m a bit jumpy today.”
    â€œNo problem.” He slipped out the door and she turned to find Seth appearing a little more alert.
    â€œWhat are you looking for?”
    â€œNothing.”
    â€œSomething. Or
someone
.” Seth narrowed his eyes. “You’ve been looking out that window just about every other second—and you nearly just came out of your skin when the doc tapped your shoulder. What’s going on, Tonya?” he asked, his voice lowered. “Is it the guy from earlier? The one you were hiding from in the supply room?”
    â€œYes.” She twisted her hands together in front of her and debated how much she should say. What would he think if she told him the truth?
    Then again, did she need to warn the hospital staff that a potential murderer had come through their doors? Hank wasn’t predictable and he was here in the emergency department looking for her. Could everyone around her be in danger? “I’m pretty sure he’s here at the hospital. It’s been four years since I’ve seen him, but I think he was just talking to one of the nurses. I need to tell them to be on the alert and to warn security about the potential danger if he shows up.”
    She glanced through the window and, not seeing Hank, slipped out of the room before Seth could ask any more questions. She quietly told the nurse at the desk about Hank, waited for her to call security, then made her way back to Seth’s room.
    As she stepped inside, she heard a buzzing. One that she’d heard several times since arriving at the hospital. Seth noticed it, as well, and frowned. “What’s that?”
    Tonya pulled the buzzing phone from her back pocket and held it out to him. “Jake tossed this to me when I got on the ambulance.”
    â€œThat’s my phone. He was holding it for me while I rode.”
    â€œYou probably need to call him,” she murmured. “It’s been ringing for a while now.”
    Seth took it from her. “Okay, I’ll call him in a few.” He looked at the screen. “It’s my mom.” He pressed the button and lifted the phone to his ear. “Hello?” His eyes still hadn’t left hers. “Yes, I’m fine. It’s just a bruise.” Tonya turned her back to give him the semblance of privacy even though she could hear every word. “No, Mom, you don’t have to come to Nashville. It’s not broken again, I promise. I’ll call you later. Love you, too. ’Bye.”
    Tonya looked at him as he hung up. “She heard, I guess.”
    â€œWord travels fast. I’ve been doing rodeos for a long time. Some of the people have become like family. Extended family, anyway. One of the judges called Mom and Dad.” Tonya nodded. “So who’s the guy from the storage room? How do you know him?”
    She sighed. “Earlier, at the arena, I went looking for Mia. She was getting her dogs ready, and as I was walking toward her, I recognized an old boyfriend.” She glanced at the door.
    â€œOld boyfriend, huh? Who?”
    â€œHank Newman.”
    â€œAnd why does his showing up make you skittish as a new colt?”
    She crossed her arms. “A