Brody (Texas Boudreau Brotherhood Book 3)

too. I’m texting Rafe, so he’ll know where we are.”
She grabbed her purse and walked to the door. “Let’s go.”
Brody walked her onto the porch, making sure the front door was securely locked behind him. A quick scan of the yard and street in front of the cottage didn’t reveal anything suspicious, and he quickly helped Beth into the truck, before climbing behind the wheel.
Evan Stewart better hope the cops catch up to him before I do.

CHAPTER ELEVEN
Beth curled up in the overstuffed chair in the living room of the Big House, a crocheted throw wrapped around her shoulders. A hot cup of tea, clasped between both hands, remained untouched. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath, trying to release some of the tension and anxiety knotted deep in her belly.
Brody drove them straight to his family’s home. Rafe still hadn’t called, so there hadn’t been any more news about Evan or where he might be. She prayed he kept running in any direction, as long as it wasn’t Shiloh Springs.
Jamie was tucked into bed, with Nica to keep her company. Nica volunteered to keep an eye on her, going as far as to suggest sharing her bedroom with her. Beth knew the Boudreaus would be supportive in a crisis, but she’d never imagined how much she depended on them. Ms. Patti had put out a call and rallied the troops, and now the house teemed with people. Antonio and Serena showed up mere minutes after she and Brody. Antonio had been on the phone since they’d arrived, contacting his FBI sources, and going through the legitimate channels to generate any information on her ex.
“Rafe’s on his way.” Ms. Patti eased onto the ottoman in front of Beth’s chair. She reached forward and laid her hand on Beth’s knee. “Can I get you anything, hon?”
Beth shook her head, and took of sip of the tea. Chamomile, hot and sweet, the way she liked it. Warmth spread through her, and she sipped again.
“Everything’s going to be okay. They’ll catch Evan and he’ll be back in Huntsville before you know it. Plus, you’ve got a houseful of folks who’ll keep you and Jamie safe.” Ms. Patti leaned forward and whispered, “I hope they catch him before Brody gets his hands on him. Probably won’t be enough left to lock in a cell if Brody or Rafe find him first. They’ve got a personal stake in making sure Evan gets exactly what he deserves.”
Beth raised her head and stared at Ms. Patti, who simply shrugged, a conspiratorial smile on her lips. “What, I’m just saying what everybody else is thinking.”
“I thought this nightmare was over when Evan when to prison. That I was finally free from the devastation he’d made of my life. Of Jamie’s life. Now, I know it’s never going to end. He’s like the boogie man; he’ll never really be gone. We’re never going to be free of him.”
“Hush. I don’t want to hear you talk like that. Evan Stewart is simply a man. He’s not a bigger-than-life ghoul, he’s just a human-style monster. And if you’ve read any fairy tales, which I know you have because of Jamie, you know the monster can be slayed. Lucky for you, I happen to have a house full of monster slayers.”
The corners of Beth’s lips tugged in an involuntary smile, picturing Brody in a suit of shining armor, sword in hand, standing over a sobbing, cowardly Evan. “Thanks, Ms. Patti. I needed to hear that.”
The front door swung open hard enough to slam against the wall, and Tessa swept through like a whirlwind, eyes frantic until they landed on Beth. Eyes filled with tears, she rushed across the living room and threw herself against Beth, hugging her so tight, Beth squeaked.
“Can’t breathe.”
Tessa’s grip loosened a tiny bit, and she gave a watery laugh. “Sorry. Are you okay?”
Beth nodded and set down her empty teacup, glad she finished it before being hit by Tornado Tessa, or she’d have been wearing it.
“I’m fine. Jamie’s asleep. Nica’s keeping an eye on her.”
“Good. How could this happen? I mean, I know people sometimes escape from prison in the movies, but real life? It’s not right.”
“I…we don’t have any details yet. All I’ve heard is what Brody got from the deputy warden at the prison. Evan and his cellmate escaped, so they must have been planning it. They are pretty sure they got help from the cellmate’s girlfriend.”
Ms. Patti silently stood and motioned for Tessa to take her place on the ottoman and headed for the kitchen. Beth glanced toward the opening between the kitchen and the living room, and saw Rafe standing there, his gaze intent on Tessa. Beth felt a bit envious at the look of love on his face. Not that she begrudged her sister having found the man of her dreams. It almost made her believe in happily ever after again. At least for everybody else.
“Any news yet?” She directed her question to Rafe.
He walked across the room and placed his hand on his fiancée’s shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Not much. A state trooper talked to a gas station attendant, who thinks he spotted a couple of men and a woman who stopped for gas. One of them was dressed in prison garb—he thinks. One man and the woman drove off, leaving the third person behind. Unfortunately, he was unable to identify anybody from the photo lineup, so it’s all guessing at this point, but they might have split up.”
“Which means Evan’s traveling alone?”
“It’s only speculation at this point, Beth.”
She wrapped the throw tighter around her, feeling the invisible chill teasing along her skin. Bile rose in the back of her throat, a feeling of lightheadedness sweeping over her. “He’s coming here—to Shiloh Springs.”
“There’s no proof of that, but, yeah, I think you’re right.” He knelt beside her chair, his intent gaze locked with hers. “He’s not getting anywhere near you or Jamie. We’re all here. I’ve got