JD yawned, stretched, blinked and studied the white ceiling with a lightly revolving fan for a few seconds. Shivering, he pulled the down blanket up to his chin. A large window looked out to mountains, but this was not Chris' ranch. And as he turned slightly, the man slumped in the recliner was not Buck.

JD blinked again. He shifted, feeling a slight discomfort on his backside. "Owww!"

The man in the chair jerked suddenly, staring at the boy. "Hey, Kid. You feel ok? You want something to drink or eat?"

JD continued to stare at the man, who seemed like Buck in height and weight, but with lighter hair.

The man smiled, showing protruding front teeth. "Oh, Kid, it's okay. I've seen you a few times before, you may not remember, but I work for Travis and provide security at his home. Evie Travis was upset about . . . well, she wanted me to keep a close watch on you. I'm DeWayne Peters, but most people call me Otter."

"JD Dunne – and most people call me JD."

Peters smiled at the kid's apparent disorientation. "Yes, I know. Mrs. Travis talks about your team – and you – a lot. Get the feeling she'd like to adopt you." He laughed at the young man's frown.

"Mrs. Travis is a wonderful lady," JD blushed. "But she . . . well, she babies me."

"Probably not the only one, right?"

JD shifted again, not liking the subject. "Where are the guys?"

Otter looked down at his hands. "Well, kid, I expect they are getting a talking-to by the Boss. He wasn't too happy with what went down. Do you remember anything?"

JD was still feeling a bit fuzzy.

"Well, let's just say Wilmington overreacted when he thought you might be hurt – or worse."

JD's brows furrowed as he thought. "Buck . . . Buck spanked me!" he exclaimed in outrage. "In front of everyone!"

Peters hide another smile. "Well, don't be too hard on him, kid. Ole' Buck just . . . well, Buck always wanted a little brother and you're it." As JD continued to frown, Peters explained, "I understand. I had a little brother who was always getting into trouble – and I worried about him all the time. Buck just laughed at me when I fumed about Timmy – but I think he was a little envious."

"You know Buck?" JD asked, diverted from his humiliation.

"We worked together for a few years at Denver PD. Buck helped me get this job with Travis."

"You know Chris?"

"Not as well. Chris was pretty involved with his wife and son then. Buck and I hung out more, you know. We used to have a bet on which one of us would give in and get married."

"Sounds like something Buck would do."

"Well, neither one had to pay up," Peters said. "Never met the right one."

"How did you come up with Otter as a nickname?"

"Timmy gave that nickname to me – because I loved swimming so much – well, and my teeth. Only thing I could beat Buck at, though he was an excellent swimmer as well."

JD actually smiled, thinking he could store that for future teasing – until he remembered again how angry he was at Buck.

Seeing the Kid's expression shift, Peters stood up. "How about you come downstairs and eat? Mrs. Travis will be sure to ask me if you did when she gets back from her charity event. Heck, she almost called in to watch over you." Seeing JD hesitate, he flashed a bright smile. "You wouldn't want me to get in trouble, Kid?"

"JD. No, I guess I wouldn't." JD pushed the covers down. "Oh. I guess I need to change," as he spotted his green trunks.

"Sure, Ki . . . JD. Your clothes are over there in the suitcase. I'll go check in with the other guys. If you need help, just holler."

Peters closed the door behind him, taking the stairs two steps at a time and frowning. After waiting to see JD emerge and head for the kitchen, he stepped outside and into his Chevy.

"Otter?"

Peters picked up the cell phone. "Yes?"

"Time for Stage Three."

"Boss . . . what about the kid?"

There was a pause. "I told you not to get attached. Whether he lives or dies . . . it's not up to us. That's the beauty of this. You just do what you

are told." The phone clicked off.

Sighing, Peters got out of the car and went into the kitchen, smiling as he saw JD devouring milk and cookies and leaving the sandwich untouched for now. Just like Timmy always did. And thinking of Timmy, he couldn't help saying softly to himself, 'Don't worry about anything, kid. I'm watching your back.'

TBC