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“Dolores,” I tease.

She wrinkles her nose at me, and it’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen in my life.

“No?” I ask.

Lexie looks thoughtful for a moment. “Lucy,” she finally announces, pleased with herself. She sets it on the floor beside me and rushes to the kitchen table. She comes back with the pen I bought for her and a tablet.

I pause, wondering what she’s doing.

“Okay, we have Lucy the Ladybug. What about this little guy?” The next creature that has the pleasure of her attention is a bumblebee.

“Barry,” I blurt out, thrilled to see Lexie passionate about something. To know I had a small part in it makes all the hard work I’ve put into getting here worth it. I knew I just needed to be patient with her.

“Barry the Bumblebee,” she rolls it over her tongue. Her head tips side to side as she considers it. “I like it.”

Her pen scratches over her notebook before her attention returns to my hands. “You make it look so easy. Aren’t you afraid you’ll cut yourself?”

“No risk, no reward,” I tell her. “So, what about this one?”

“Oh, his name is Coco,” she announces without hesitation.

I laugh lightly. “Coco the Caterpillar. You know, you’re going to have to write this book now. They can’t have names without a story.”

Her cheeks turn pink. “Oh, I don’t know.”

“My sister would love it so much.” Innocently, I blink my eyes.

“Stop,” she says shyly, pushing at my leg.

I lean forward and kiss her on the lips. “So you’ll do it?”

“I’ll … I’ll give it a try.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

Lexie

Icould have watched Ash’s hands carve that piece of wood all night. His hands are perfection.

But eventually we had to go to bed. We’re planning to go on another hike tomorrow.

I thought I was tired until I closed my eyes. Lucy and her bug friends won’t stop talking to me. Between the storm and the bug adventures rolling around in my head, I’ve found myself wide awake. But at least I’m not up overthinking. I’m actually feeling very content.

A loud boom of thunder makes me jump, only because I wasn’t expecting it. I’m not scared of storms. I’ve had to deal with them alone for most of my life. What does frighten me, however, is the way Ash yells out. I rush out of bed and peek over the banister.

He’s still asleep. He thrashes on the couch restlessly. Another round of thunder sends him sitting upright.

My feet quickly carry me down the stairs. He shouts out again as I reach him. It halts me in my tracks. Ash is looking right through me.

“Ash, it’s me.” I approach him slowly and lower myself beside him on the couch. He’s breathing hard. “It’s okay, baby. Let’s lie down.”

I pull him with me until we’re lying back on the cushions. He rolls into me, hugging me tight, his face pressed into my chest. Instantly he calms, and light snores replace his earlier aggravation.

Every loud noise from outside makes him twitch and jump. “Shh, you’re here with me,” I whisper, gently running my fingers through his short hair.

There have been many nights Ash has comforted me, and it feels good to do the same for him. I can’t imagine where his mind goes every time the thunder rattles the windows. He doesn’t talk about his time in the military, but I’m sure he’s seen and done things no human should ever have to.

A sense of pride washes over me. I still don’t quite understand why he’s chosen me, but I know I’ll never come across a better man than him. Tonight, when he was carving the gift for his niece, I saw a life for myself that I’d never imagined before.