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But the rain fell harder, cold and steady. Daniel pulled back. Ellie looked up at him, dazed and beautiful in the flashlight's glow, and reality came crashing down like the storm above.
What had he done? This wasn’t the time. Wasn’t the place. They were in the middle of a manhunt. Killers on their trail. Owen still in danger. He'd gotten caught up in the moment and let his emotions override his judgment. Again.
History was repeating itself. Daniel had learned the hard way he wasn't built for romantic relationships.
The cracks in his marriage had started early. Different priorities. Mismatched expectations. His long hours and terrible communication. Her restless discontent. They were more often out of sync than not, but Daniel believed if he just worked harder, loved better,tried more, they’d find their footing.
Then came the miscarriage.
And everything that was fragile between them shattered. Daniel lost himself in his work, hoping to outrun the grief that he wasn't allowed to feel because his wife had been relieved by the loss. Freed. The distance between them grew until eventually she found someone else.
And when she left, her final words cut deep:“You were a disappointment from day one.”
He took a step backward. “We should keep moving. The storm’s coming in fast.”
Ellie didn't argue. Didn't speak. Just nodded once. But he didn't miss the flicker of hurt that crossed her face before she tucked it away behind a mask of indifference.
As he focused on the trail ahead, his lips still warmed from their passionate kiss, Daniel told himself putting distance between them was the right call. Ellie deserved better than what he could give her.
So why did it feel like the biggest mistake of his life?
SIXTEEN
The one-story house appeared like a mirage in the darkness. Rustic, made of stone and wood, it was tucked between towering pines, its silhouette barely visible through the falling rain. Ellie shivered. Her clothes were soaked, droplets falling from her wet hair down the back of her neck. Her muscles ached from the five-mile trek, and every nerve was raw from the night’s events.
She wasn’t sure what hurt more—her legs, her heart, or the silence.
Daniel hadn’t said more than a handful of words since pulling away from her on the trail. Not a single mention of the kiss. No apology. No explanation for his behavior. Just distance. The constant push-pull was wreaking havoc on her already fraught emotions. Once again, Ellie was struck by the notion that she’d be wise to keep her distance. And yet… she couldn’t quite convince herself to actually do it. Not after the look she’d seen in Daniel’s eyes before he stepped away from the kiss.
Like he cared for her more than he meant to. And it made him sad.
Daniel unearthed a hidden front door key from under a planter around the side. Warmth greeted Ellie as she steppedover the threshold, the musty air scented with cedar and something faintly sweet, like old pipe smoke. The open floor plan was cozy, with a stone fireplace, worn furniture, and thick curtains that blocked any view from outside. Rather than turn on the overhead light, Daniel flipped on a floor lamp. Thunder rumbled, vibrating the windows.
Ellie crossed her arms, trying not to shiver, but the soaked fabric of her shirt clung to her skin and chilled her to the bone.
Daniel noticed. Without a word, he disappeared down a short hallway and returned with a towel and a stack of folded clothes. “Take these. The shower’s through there.” He nodded toward the hallway behind him. “There should be hot water. I’ll figure out something for dinner in the meantime.”
“Thanks.” She accepted the towel and her fingers brushed his. The contact was brief, but her pulse quickened. Tension radiated from him. There had always been an underlying attraction between them, but the kiss seemed to have morphed it into something far more potent. Daniel wouldn’t even meet her gaze.
Tears pricked the back of her eyes as she hurried to the bathroom. Ellie shut the door and leaned against it. Across from her, a full-length mirror reflected the toll of the night. Dried blood stained her shirt, mud coated the hem of her jeans, and her socks were nearly black from grime. Her hair hung in limp, tangled strands. A streak of cherry cobbler marred her collarbone. Her eyes were red-rimmed from the effort of holding herself together.
She wanted to go home. Wanted to hold Owen in her arms, rock him to sleep, and curl up in her own bed with the baby monitor beside her.
The thought of her son broke the dam. Tears spilled down her cheeks, hot and silent. She missed him with a fierceness that stole her breath. Was he scared? Did Marta remember he hatedpeas? Had she given him his favorite bath toy—the green turtle with the cracked shell—and filled the tub with bubbles? Read him a story before bed?
Sucking in a breath, Ellie forced her runaway emotions back under control. Now was not the time to fall apart. There was too much at stake.
She showered with quick efficiency. The sweatsuit Daniel had unearthed was too big for her slender frame, but it was warm and soft. She finger-combed her hair and hung up the towel before leaving the bathroom. The soothing scents of chicken and warm bread tickled her nose. Daniel was stirring something in a pot on the stove when she entered the kitchen. “Smells good.”
He looked up and paused, his attention lingering on her face. Concern flickered in his eyes. Ellie suspected he knew she’d been crying. She hugged her arms around herself, uncomfortable with how easily he saw through her. “It’s been a long day. I miss Owen. I’ve never spent a night away from him.”
“I’m sorry.” He flicked off the burner on the stove. “If it makes you feel any better, Mom sent me a text saying that Owen had a good day and is sleeping soundly.”
That made her feel better. Still, she couldn’t wait to hold her baby in her arms again. “Any news on James?”
“Yes. He’s out of surgery, and the doctors think he’ll make a full recovery.”
“Praise Jesus.” Ellie hadn’t stopped praying for her boss since escaping the diner. She felt a weight lift off her chest.