Page 17

With everything going on, Ellie hadn’t even thought to call Owen’s caseworker. “I’m sorry?—”
“Too little, too late. Now that I’ve been fully informed by Chief O’Neal, it’s too dangerous to leave Owen in your care. I'm placing him in a new foster home for his protection.”
“You can’t.” Ellie couldn’t keep the panic from her voice. She crossed the room and gently took Owen from Roy’s arms. The little boy clung to her neck, and the tears that sprang to her eyes were instant. “Moving Owen won’t necessarily protect him, and it’ll be scary and confusing for him. His health is still fragile, and he's never known another caregiver. Taking him away would be a terrible mistake.” Ellie listed every reason they shouldn't be separated. “I’ve filed for adoption. It’ll be final in a few months.”
For a second, Maggie's expression softened. Then her mouth set with resolve. “But it isn’t final yet. Until then, Owen is a ward of the state, and it’s my responsibility to ensure his safety. The chief and I have discussed the best course of action. Owen’s new placement will be kept secret. He’ll be perfectly safe.”
Ellie looked desperately at Roy, but he seemed as stricken as she felt. She had no legal standing to stop this. Her throat closed as panic threatened to swallow her. She hugged Owen tighter, blinking back the tears that threatened to fall.
“What about you?” Daniel’s voice was calm, almost casual. But his attention was fixed on Maggie. “Who’s going to keep you safe?”
Maggie blinked. “Excuse me?”
“You’ll know where Owen is. The men hunting Ellie and Owen were bold enough to attack in a hospital. We don’t know who they are or what they want. Do you really think they wouldn’t come after you to find him?”
Ellie’s breath caught. Her gaze darted to Daniel, but his focus stayed on Maggie. The caseworker had gone pale.
Roy's head snapped up, and his eyes narrowed appreciatively. “Daniel has a point, Maggie. What do you propose?”
Daniel shifted his weight. “The wisest course of action is to keep Owen and Ellie together. They’re staying on my ranch, under my protection. I’ve already called another member of myranger team to assist, and if need be, I can ask for more help. No one will get close to Owen. That I can assure you.” Now his gaze shifted to the baby before lifting to meet Ellie’s. “It’s my duty to protect him and I take that job very seriously.”
Her heart swelled with gratitude. Daniel had every reason to be angry with her. Every reason to doubt her. This was his opportunity to step forward and explain that Ellie was lying about her identity, to share that it was her actions that’d placed Owen in danger. Instead, he’d chosen to protect her, as he’d done from the first moment they met.
He was a good man. A very good man.
“I’ll have patrol officers do periodic check-ins at the ranch,” Roy added. “The sheriff can pitch in with a few deputies as well. Frequent rounds at the ranch should deter anyone from attempting an attack.”
“I also have a top-of-the-line security system at the ranch. And trusted workers who keep an eye on the property,” Daniel said. “The safest place for Owen is with me.”
Maggie was quiet for a long moment, her furrow deepening. Then she sighed. “Fine, but I reserve the right to change my mind if I think Owen’s safety is at risk. Surprise visits will also happen.” She fixed Daniel with a hard stare. “You’re not the only one who takes their job seriously.”
If Daniel was offended by her jab, no sign of it showed in his expression. Instead, he nodded respectfully. “Yes, ma’am.”
Maggie collected her purse. “Miss Brooks. Chief O’Neal. I expect to be updated on this matter regularly.”
Ellie nodded her agreement, not trusting her voice. Owen babbled and played with strands of her hair. His sweet, lilting voice was music to her ears. She pressed a kiss to his curls and sent up a prayer of thanksgiving. Crisis after crisis had hit, but she and Owen were still together.
But for how long? And how could Ellie ensure her baby’s safety?
The problems plaguing her weighed down her shoulders and slowed her steps as Daniel escorted her from the police department to his Explorer. Ellie loaded Owen into his car seat, handing him Scout to play with. Daniel stood guard. His eyes swept the surrounding area, scanning for trouble. Rough stubble lined his jaw, and his hat threw shadows across his features, but his watchful presence was comforting, not overwhelming.
Gratitude washed over her yet again. Ellie placed a hand on his chest. “Thank you. For what you did in the chief’s office.”
“I told the truth. The safest place for Owen is on my ranch.”
She nodded and was about to drop her hand when he covered it with his own, holding it in place. “Ellie…” His jaw clenched briefly, and then he sighed, long and low. “I wasn’t completely honest. Yes, Owen is safer on my ranch, but I wanted you to stay together. You love him as if he’s your own. That’s no small gift. He needs you. You need each other.”
Her throat tightened. She shouldn’t lean on him. Couldn’t. But her body moved before her mind caught up, seeking the only solid thing in her crumbling world. Ellie wrapped her arms around Daniel’s waist.
He embraced her without hesitation, surrounding her with warmth and strength. She drew in her first deep breath since the hospital attack. The scent of his cedar cologne filled her lungs, clean and woodsy, like the outdoors. It was grounding. Comforting. In a way she couldn’t explain.
“We’re at a crossroads here, Ellie.” His tone was soft and caring. “The way I see it, you’re in deep trouble. Whoever you’ve called on to help may have betrayed you. You need to trust someone. Let it be me.”
Heaven help her, she wanted to. So much.
“What if the truth puts you in a position where you have to lie? What if it means putting your badge at risk?” She lifted her gaze to his. “Do you still want it?”
He scanned her expression for a moment, as if gauging how serious she was. Whatever he saw there had his gaze drifting to Owen before returning to her. His brown eyes turned steely with determination. “If it means being able to keep you both safe, then yes, I still want it.”