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Daniel’s jaw tightened. “I’m aware, Cole. I didn’t call for a lecture.”
“No, you called for help. And if I’m putting myself on the line, I’d like to know what I’m stepping into.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry.” Daniel drew in a breath and let it out slowly. Despite Daniel being the oldest member of Company A and Cole the youngest, they'd formed a friendship built on mutual respect. “Normally, I would’ve called CPS, but nothing about this case fits, and until I know more, I want to keep Owen close. Whoever’s after Ellie tried to use that baby as leverage. They’re looking for something.”
“But you don’t know what?”
“No.”
He looked back toward the play area. Ellie was helping Owen to build a new tower of blocks. Her sunshine locks were tucked into a braid that spilled over one shoulder. No makeup. Somehow, she made the practical jeans and T-shirt look both effortless and elegant. Owen knocked over the block tower, and Ellie laughed before tickling him. The smile on her face nearly stole Daniel’s breath.
He stamped down the attraction immediately. No way. No how.
The woman was easily fifteen years younger, living a lie, and completely wrong for him. He had a job to do, and getting distracted by wayward feelings wouldn't help anyone.
As if she felt his gaze, Ellie looked up. Her striking gray eyes clouded instantly with worry. Daniel offered a reassuring smile and turned his attention back to the call.
“She’s scared, Cole. Terrified, actually. If I had to hazard a guess, I think she’s former law enforcement. Maybe FBI. Whoever is after her and Owen sent his cronies to do the job.If it's a gang or criminal organization, more will come. I can’t protect her by myself, and I’m not ready to go through official channels. Not until I know more about what I’m dealing with.”
Cole was still on medical leave after being shot in the shoulder during another case. He was nearly healed and would be back to full duty in the next couple of weeks. Until then, he was sidelined. Which was why Daniel called him.
“I’ll understand if you say no, but if you’re willing, I could use the backup.”
Cole was silent for a long moment. “Do you trust her?”
Daniel didn’t answer right away. He knew exactly what Cole meant. She was lying to them—or at least, she wasn’t saying everything she knew—but was her heart in the right place? Was she someone he could put his faith in?
Just then, another toddler wandered into the play area. Ellie welcomed the child with a warm smile and offered her a block. Within moments, the little girl had climbed into Ellie’s lap beside Owen. Ellie wrapped her arms around both kids and kept chatting, gently placing another block atop the newly built tower.
Unexpected emotion tightened Daniel's throat. He’d seen the worst humanity had to offer. His instincts were sharp, his trust hard-earned, but Ellie made something inside him soften. Something he didn’t know still existed.
“Yes,” he said quietly. “I trust her.”
“Then I’ll be at your ranch by dinnertime. Word of warning though. If I get injured while helping you out, you’re the one who has to explain it to Olivia. According to her, bandages don’t go with my tux.”
Daniel laughed. Olivia Leighton was Cole’s fiancée. Their wedding was in a few weeks, right before he returned to full duty. “I’ll bubble wrap you before the bad guys arrive. And Cole… thanks.”
“You’re welcome. See you soon.”
He hung up and rose from the chair, intending to join Ellie and the children in their block-building activity, when a nurse called out Owen’s name. She led them to a small exam room. For the next half hour, Owen was poked and prodded before being deemed healthy by his pediatric cardiologist.
Seeing Owen's scar for the first time was still a shock. Daniel knew he’d had surgery, but the thick strip of healed tissue running down the little boy’s chest was evidence of just how invasive the procedure had been. Ellie handled the entire visit with ease. She spoke medical jargon as if she had a degree herself. Once again, Daniel was struck by just how tough Ellie was. She didn’t flinch when things got hard. She dealt with it. Adapted. Learned and kept moving forward.
It was impressive, and it made him wonder what steps Ellie had taken to handle the current danger. Who had she called? Her superiors? A trusted friend? He knew she was waiting for a phone call from someone. Daniel had spotted the burner phone tucked behind an extra packet of wipes in the diaper bag. It hadn’t been there yesterday.
Ellie snapped the last button on Owen’s shirt and then lifted him from the exam table. “Okay. Good to go.” She glanced at her watch. “We have 40 minutes to get home before lunch and naptime, or there'll be a meltdown. Think you can get us home in time?”
Daniel smiled. “I’ll do my best.” He tossed the diaper bag over his shoulder and escorted Ellie back to the waiting room. She needed to sign some papers at the front desk, so he took Owen. The little boy patted Daniel’s cheek with a slightly wet hand and cuddled Scout. Daniel play-acted like he was going to nibble on the tiny fingers creeping toward his mouth, even as his gaze roamed the waiting room.
Everything appeared normal. Still, he wouldn’t let his guard down until they were all safely back on the ranch.
Owen giggled. The laugh was infectious, and despite his efforts to stay alert, Daniel found himself chuckling too. And when Owen laid his head down on Daniel’s chest, a pang of longing and grief struck him so sudden and fierce, it nearly buckled his knees.
He hadn’t let himself think about the baby he lost. Not in years.
His ex-wife had miscarried at five months. The loss hadn't destroyed their marriage—it was already crumbling—but it delivered the final blow. Divorce followed. The combined tragedy had scarred Daniel’s heart in a way that couldn’t be repaired. He hadn’t dated since. Not in a decade. Why bother? He had no intention of ever remarrying. Once had been enough.
“Earth to Daniel.” Ellie waved a hand in front of his face.