Page 87 of Captivated

You are one brave man.

Dave blinked. “You… you knew him too?”

Nate nodded. “I met him in circumstances I don’t want to describe. Mark? He was a bright light in that foul darkness.” He shuddered. “Now it’s my turn to apologize for ruining your breakfast.”

Butch stared at him. “Well, I’ll be…” His gaze grew warm. “You ain’t ruined nothing, Nate. In fact, I’m glad you could join us this morning. An’ I hope to see more of you before you leave.”

The door opened, and Sol entered. He stilled when he saw Nate, but recovered quickly enough to greet everyone. He went over to where Butch sat, and stroked his nape.

“You got room for me at this table?”

Butch smiled. “Always.” He poured Sol some coffee.

Zeeb had a feeling Sol’s appearance was no coincidence. He glanced at Nate to see how he was dealing, and to his relief Nate seemed calm.

Then Zeeb realized he was still holding Nate’s hand.

He released it, and reached for his coffee. Nate gave him a slight smile and mouthedThank you.

Zeeb felt about ten feet tall.

Matt came back with more food, and Nate attacked it with gusto.

Butch snickered. “Nate, why don’t you quit tryin’ to eat that breakfast an’ just inhale it? You know, get the job done faster.”

Nate swallowed. “But if I do it that way, I miss out on tasting it.” He pointed to the home fries. “These are the best I’ve ever tasted. No wonder my dad puts on a few pounds every time he stays here.”

“If you like, I’ll show you how I make them,” Matt suggested. “Then you can make them for Derek.”

Nate chuckled. “I don’t think his waistline would thank me.” He glanced at Zeeb, his eyes sparkling. “If you’re not going to eat yours, I might steal them from you.”

Zeeb picked up his fork. “You steal so much as one of my fries, an’ you lose a finger.” He grinned. “But I’ll make sure it’s on the hand that doesn’t hold a paintbrush.”

Nate laughed and resumed eating.

Zeeb wanted to cheer, to fist-pump the air.

Man, they really nailed it in that song.

What a difference a day makes.

Whatever Nate had gone through during his unscheduled trip to Oregon, it had propelled him through a doorway, and Zeeb was going to make it his mission to help Nate keep going forward.

He gazed at Nate, noting the rise and fall of his chest, the tremor in his hand as he reached for more bacon.

You ain’t out of the woods yet, are you?

But he was leaving thatfoul darknessbehind him.

Zeeb would see to that.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Paul pushed backhis chair and stood. “I’m going to the stables.” He glanced at Nate. “Want to come with me and help me groom the horses?”

Walt chuckled. “Watch out, Nate. You do know how many horses this ranch has, right? Tie him down to a number before you get started.”

Nate smiled. “He could have me grooming all of them and I wouldn’t complain.” He gave Zeeb a nod.