Page 60

The place was full of Christmas spirit, and it made her smile.

Keegan played with her hair while he made arrangements with Dylan, keeping them connected as he quickly explained the threat to Sofia and Gabby.

"What's his name? We'll go have a chat with him," Dylan said

Sofia smiled to herself while Keegan explained Eliana's concern, and Dylan argued. The Harts were all the same. Wanting to jump in and believing their power could stop anyone.

Maybe it could.

Maybe Eliana was underestimating them.

Or maybe Eliana had seen too many cases turn out wrong to be willing to take a chance, even the tiniest one.

After a few minutes, Keegan hung up. "Two escorts will be here in about two hours."

Two hours. They had two hours left.

He clasped his hands behind her lower back and rested his chin on her head while they watched Gabby. "Dylan's going to tell the rest of the family not to come over tonight. We'll reschedule."

"That makes me mad," Gabby announced. "One stupid asshat gets to control our lives? I'm so done with that."

"Me, too," Sofia said.

Gabby looked over at her in surprise. "You are? You're the one who's always telling us to stay low profile."

"I know. But being here has made me realize that there's a lot of life to be lived beyond our little life we created."

Gabby's eyes widened. "You want to move here and give up the store?"

Sofia laughed. "No, I'd never give up the store. But I don't want to live in fear anymore."

Gabby pulled out a loaf of pumpkin bread and set it on the counter. "So, what can we do?"

"I don't know."

"You guys can hide in my house for the next fifty years," Keegan said. "It's a nice house."

Sofia laughed at the hopeful look on Gabby's face. "No chance, babe."

"You're no fun." Gabby found a butter knife and cut herself a slice of the bread. "So, what do we do?"

"I still don't know." Sofia sighed as she leaned on Keegan's chest.

Gabby took a bite, then frowned. "This bread's not that good, Keegan."

He laughed, a low rumble that seemed to vibrate through Sofia. "I know. I've been working on the recipe for a while. I can't get it right."

"Apparently." Gabby pushed it aside and went back to the fridge. "What's it supposed to be?"

"Pumpkin bread." He paused. "You guys hungry? I can whip up something."

"If it's like the pumpkin bread, I'll pass," Gabby said, making Sofia laugh. She loved Gabby's comfort level with Keegan.

"I'm personally offended by that," Keegan announced. He kissed Sofia's head and then released her. "I'm making you food. I have to prove my awesomeness."

Gabby gave him a skeptical look, amusement dancing in her eyes. "My mom's a great cook. You'll never live up to what I'm used to."

Keegan shot Sofia a look. "Shall we team up? I'd love to see your brilliance in action. Maybe it'll inspire the solution to my pumpkin bread problem."