Sweetheart.

Abby suppressed a shudder as that one word speared straight through the heart. When Kyle Dawson had suddenly appeared in the doorway of her sister’s living room, she’d thought she was hallucinating. But there he was, coming to her when she most desperately longed for him, his black brows drawn together in a frown, the already angular planes of his face even harsher in his distress.

Kyle ducked down a little so he was at eye level with her, those intense sapphire blue eyes showing the depth of his concern as he searched her gaze. “Abby?”

“I interrupted the intruder,” she explained, her gaze flitting briefly toward the Sheriff, who’d looked skeptical from the start and was giving her the stink-eye even now. She cleared her throat a couple of times, before adding, “We scuffled. He got away.”

Kyle nodded, his eyes narrowed. “Was that before or after he cut the power to the house and managed to get by the alarm system?”

She should’ve known Kyle would see through her story. He seemed to have almost a sixth sense when it came to crime scenes. But the photo of Emma bound and gagged suddenly came to mind, her concern for Emma’s safety preventing Abby from confiding in Kyle.

“Clearly, he’d done his homework and had been casing the place, watching for an opportunity to break in when the family was out of town,” she said.

That at least wasn’t a lie. The guy had been prepared. He’d known exactly what he was doing. And she’d hazard a guess that he’d also known Curtis was out of town and that Abby and Tyler were there alone.

Speaking of Curtis… Where the hell was he anyway?

Kyle gave her a knowing look. “Abby—”

“I’m sure Mac and the boys can handle it,” she interrupted, inwardly cringing, knowing that the reference to his father was a low blow. But it had the desired effect.

“You heard the young lady,” Sheriff Dawson interjected. “Gentlemen”—he motioned to Gabe and Tom—“please escort Agent Dawson from the premises.”

Gabe took a step forward to obey his father’s order, but Tom put a restraining hand on his arm and shook his head.

“You look like you could use a little air,” Kyle said, gently but firmly taking hold of Abby’s elbow and leading her toward the doorway. She glanced over her shoulder at Tyler, reluctant to leave him after what they’d been through, but she saw Joe sitting beside him, chatting quietly to put the boy at ease.

Still, as great as it was to see Kyle, she wasn’t exactly eager to be alone with him again. Silence had a way of opening the door to some really uncomfortable questions that she wasn’t exactly ready to answer. That didn’t even include the total bullshit she was feeding everyone about what had really happened.

“Excuse me, Agent, but I have some additional questions for my deputy,” Mac said, his tone even in spite of the anger that flashed in his eyes. “And I would thank you not to interfere with my investigation, young man.”

Kyle lifted his free arm to his side and bent slightly at the waist, offering his father a mocking bow. “Wouldn’t dream of interfering, Sheriff.”

Before his father could offer another word, Kyle ushered Abby from the room and out the front door. Abby’s heart began to race as he led her farther into the growing darkness beyond the headlights and flashing blue-and-reds on the various vehicles.

Once they were out of earshot of any of the other officers, Kyle finally released her and turned to face her, hands on his hips. “Spill it. And don’t give me any bullshit about interrupting a robbery. I could hear some of what was going on. I know he was after something you have—or he thinks you have.”

Abby turned her head away, staring into the darkness crowding in along the dense tree line that bordered the property. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I told you what happened.”

Kyle grasped her chin and forced her gaze back to his. “Abby, it’s me. You could always talk to me. Let me help you.”