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She’d almost died today, and she’d had to face the man who had been wanting her dead for a long time.

I’d ridden with Reese and Cole to the hospital in my helicopter, but Kaleb had driven my truck here to Billings for me.

Kaleb and Anna had hitched a ride back to Crystal Fork with Lauren.

I’d sent my helicopter and my pilot back to the airstrip in Crystal Fork so the helipad would be clear for other emergencies.

As soon as I got outside I sprinted toward my truck.

Reese would hate it, but I knew I’d be driving like a bat out of hell to get home.

Reese

“My jet is on the way to Spokane,” Devon told me as we cuddled on the sofa later that evening after all of his family had departed. “He’s bringing your parents here in the morning. They’re pretty excited to see you.”

I lifted my head from his shoulder, my face astonished as I stared at him. “I need to let them know.”

One of the first things I’d done after we’d gotten Cole to the hospital was to call my mom and dad. I’d blubbered like a baby as I’d spoken to them.

It had felt like every emotion I’d try to shove deep inside me had come tumbling out all at the same time.

My mother had sobbed openly with joy as we spoke.

She’d sounded so relieved that I couldn’t help but feel a large amount of guilt for putting my parents through this ordeal.

I’d rarely seen my father cry, but I could tell he was choking on tears as he’d assured me that they were both fine.

I’d been an emotional mess by the end of that phone call, but I’d told my parents I’d call them in the morning.

I’d expected to have to fly to Spokane as soon as possible. I desperately needed to hug my parents.

“No need,” he explained. “I already talked to them while you were getting facial bone X-rays in the ER. They both wanted to get to you as soon as possible, and I knew you’d want the same. They actually liked the idea of coming here. Your dad said he’d always wanted to visit Montana, but he was a little baffled about the private jet.”

Of course my parents had been surprised. They were wealthy, but not private jet wealthy.

“What did you tell him about who you were? I never had the chance to tell them about any of my life here. I was going to do that in person.”

He shrugged. “I told him I was one of the many people who cared about you here in Crystal Fork. I figured you hadn’t gotten around to telling him that I’m the guy you have wild sex with every chance we get.”

I laughed and smacked him on the shoulder playfully. “I wouldn’t tell my parents aboutthatunder any circumstances.” I hesitated a second before I added, “Thank you. I really need to see them right now. I want to see for myself that they’re doing okay. My dad mentioned that they’d both decided to retire a few months ago.”

It probably wasn’t unusual that Devon had anticipated my needs and taken care of everything. He was just that thoughtful of a guy, and he was used to taking charge of things.”

“Marta and Kevin both sound like great people,” Devon said.

“They are,” I confirmed, surprised that he was on a first name basis with my parents. “Just how long of a conversation did you have with my parents?”

He grinned. “Long enough to find out that they both love to fish and to tell them that Kaleb has a river on his property full of fish to catch.”

“They’d both love that,” I said with a sigh. “Would you mind if they stayed here for a little while?”

I’d just given up my apartment recently and moved everything here to Devon’s house because he’d informed me that I was never going back to staying by myself.

I hadn’t argued with him about that because I really hadn’t wanted to be alone in my apartment anymore.

Devon’s home was the only place I had to offer my parents for accommodations.

“Did you really just ask me that question?” he asked with mock indignation. “This has been your home, too, Reese. Of course they can stay as long as they want. I’m looking forward to getting to know both of them. I want them to stay.”