Chapter Twenty-FourTime slowed. Clare felt the residual warmth of the bullet where it had passed her face. Splinters shattered outward from the door. A startled bluebird spread its wings. Clare discerned every detail of its miniscule feathers as they angled to propel it to freedom.
An impact brought her back to her senses. Terrick had dived to her aid. Clare found herself sprawled in the doorway, the sheriff on top of her.
“You all right?” He mouthed the words. There was no sound in her daze.
What just happened? Clare feared to speak aloud, taking several deep breaths.
“Clare!” Terrick shook her with one hand, his voice sounding miles away.
She focused on her saviour. “I'm fine,” she said, unaware of the volume, only registering that she was speaking at all by the vibration in her thr
