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“We tried once. Complete disaster. We work as friends.” Jonah scowled. “You’re not going to turn into one of those sappy guys now, are you? The kind that continuously try to set their friends up now that they’re in a committed relationship.”
“Is that what I’m in?” Daniel was overjoyed at the thought.
“Man, you are so far in, I can hear wedding bells.”
Me too.But Daniel didn’t want to share that thought yet. The first person he wanted to bare his heart to was Ellie. His steps picked up as excitement at seeing her and Owen sank into him. A short elevator ride and a few turns down the corridor later, he was standing in front of a hospital room in the pediatric department. He planted his palm on the cracked-open door and glanced back at Jonah. “Thanks.”
His friend grinned. “Just remember all my good deeds when it comes time to pick a best man.”
Daniel laughed and shook his head before pushing the door open and stepping into the room. The murmur of their voices registered first. Owen’s babble punctuated by Ellie’s lilting tones as she read a book to him. He paused, just a moment, and lifted his attention toward the ceiling.Thank you, God.
A simple prayer, but a heartfelt one. Daniel rounded the curtain separating the bed from the door, his gaze drinking in the sight before him. Ellie was sitting on an armchair, a train book in one hand, her other arm wrapped around Owen, who was in her lap. Her hair shimmered in the sunshine pouring in through the window and her face was makeup free. She appeared tired but content. Owen played with Scout’s ear as he leaned into his mother’s embrace. His cheeks were rosy with good health, and he babbled constantly.
Daniel felt it. His heart tumbling over and over again.
And just when he thought his chest was close to bursting with love, Ellie glanced up. Her smile was radiant and warm, meltingaway every ache in his battered body, and the warmth in her eyes… it stole his breath.
“You’re up!” Ellie lowered the book. “Why didn’t Jonah call me?”
She started to rise, but he waved her back down. Crossing the room, he bent at the waist to place a gentle kiss on her lips. Owen grinned adorably and lifted his arms in a silent invitation for Daniel to hold him. Ellie’s eyes widened. “You have a super fan. He almost never wants anyone else to hold him when I’m reading a story.”
Daniel wasn’t about to turn down Owen’s offer. He started to lift him, but his broken ribs screamed in protest, and he winced. Ellie immediately stood, bringing Owen with her. “Sit, sweetheart. He can sit on your lap, if that won’t hurt too much.”
“I’ll be fine.” Daniel settled into the armchair, and Ellie gingerly placed Owen in the crook of his arm. The little boy smelled like baby powder and soap and that magical scent only babies had. Daniel cuddled him close, ignoring the ache in his side from his ribs, and kissed Owen’s head. A sense of rightness settled over him. He didn’t know how or when, but somehow Owen had become a part of him.
He glanced up at Ellie. “It looks like he’s feeling better.”
“Much better. His fever broke this morning, so he’s on the mend, unless a new complication arises.” She brushed a gentle touch across a bruise on his cheek. “What about you? The doctors were worried about head trauma. You had a concussion.”
That explained the nausea that nearly had him tossing his cookies while trying to save Ellie and Owen. Daniel took her fingers and kissed the soft curve of her palm. “Don’t worry. I’m fine.” His gaze swept over her, cataloging all the details. The scratch marring her cheek, the softness of her lips and the faint circles under her eyes. His mind flashed back to the harrowingmoment their Jeep flew through the flames. It’d been terrifying to see the blaze approaching the windshield, knowing there was nothing he could do to protect her if the fire broke through their car.
Daniel shoved the thought away. Ellie had driven like a pro and their escape, while treacherous, had been a success. They were all here now, safe and sound. “Have you slept at all in the last two days?”
“Some.”
Likely very little. She was running on fumes. Somehow, he was going to have to convince her to go back to the ranch to rest but doubted that would happen as long as Owen was in the hospital. She wouldn’t leave him, not even in the trusting care of his mother.
The door to the room swung open, and Maggie Lyons, the social worker, bustled in. Her eyes widened as she registered their presence, and a frown instantly formed on her lips. “What are you two doing in here? Owen’s supposed to be with his foster parents.”
TWENTY-NINE
Daniel watched Ellie's face drain of color as the bottom dropped out of her world. In all the craziness, she'd clearly forgotten that she'd been removed as Owen's foster mother. Her fingers trembled as she placed a protective hand on Owen. “His foster parents never showed up to the hospital. I don't know if they were notified or if they were too scared after what happened. I've been with him the whole time.”
Maggie’s frown deepened as she set her briefcase on the tray table. “That’s something I’ll have to look into. Foster parents can’t simply shirk their responsibilities. Owen’s kidnapping scared them, understandably, but they should’ve contacted my office and said that they weren’t ready to step back into caring for him.” She planted her hands on her hips. “What is it about foster parents refusing to call my office?”
“Maybe they’re worried about what you’ll say,” Daniel drawled, a hint of anger coloring his voice. This woman had taken Owen away from Ellie, and while a part of him understood she was just following orders, another part of him blamed Maggie for the ordeal Owen had been through.
Maggie sniffed. “I suppose you think I owe you an apology.”
“Not me, ma’am. Ellie, however, most certainly. She didn’t do anything wrong. She protected Owen with her life, and might I add, warned you that removing him from the ranch would put him in greater danger. Turned out she was right.” His tone turned harder with every word. “Owen was kidnapped less than twenty-four hours after you removed him from Ellie’s care. And the only reason he’s here now is because she put her life at risk to rescue him. So yep, she deserves every apology you can give, and I still don’t think it’ll be enough.”
“Daniel…” Ellie placed a hand on his shoulder. The move was meant to calm his anger, and it did, but he didn’t regret sticking up for her. Not now. Not ever.
Taking care of her and Owen was a blessing he willingly accepted.
As if to punctuate that thought, little Owen stuck his thumb in his mouth and leaned against Daniel, hugging Scout close. His eyelids were growing heavy. The trust this child so freely gave him… it melted his heart.
Maggie sighed. “You’re right, Ranger Perez.” She shifted her attention to Ellie. “I could try to defend myself by saying that I was just following orders, but the truth is, that’s no justification. I’m Owen’s social worker. The responsibility lies with me, and I could’ve fought harder to keep him with you. I’m sorry.”