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Her eyes glide between him and me, but she accepts Digger’s explanation. “Happy Thanksgiving to you.”

“Ready to head back?” She looks up at me, and I don’t know if it’s what Digger said or my wishful thinking, but something seems different.

Mindy leads the girls to the truck and Dove climbs inside quietly. Noel gives Mindy a hug, and she invites us over for Thanksgiving dinner. We’re all quiet on the drive back to the house. Dove falls asleep in her booster chair, and I carry her upstairs to the bedroom she never uses, tucking her beneath the pink ballerina blanket.

Noel leans on the bar, reading a thick book, her hands around a mug of coffee when I re-enter the kitchen.

“Does she seem okay to you?”

Her eyes flicker up from what I see is a recipe book. “Why?”

“She’s always talking about something. I’ve never seen her be this quiet before.”

“Does she have a fever?” Noel puts her mug down and starts for the door.

I’m right behind her feeling foolish. Why didn’t I think of that?

Noel goes straight to her bedside and puts her hand on our little girl’s forehead, moving it down to her neck. Then she leans over and puts her lips on her head. Dove exhales a sigh and rolls over, still asleep.

“She feels fine to me. Probably just exhausted from all the excitement.” We’re back out in the hall, and Noel pulls the door almost closed. “You were really great today. That gift was…” She shakes her head. “Unexpected.”

We walk slowly down the short hall then descend the stairs with her leading the way. I think about her and Dove and warm pride swells in my chest. Fuck Digger. These girls are mine. I just have to show them I’m here for the long haul.

“It felt like a good place to start. I can do more…”

At the bottom of the stairs she stops and smiles up at me. I take the last step, which puts me right in front of her. Her pretty head is at the level of my chest, and I want to pull her close. I want to bury my face in her hair and kiss her neck. She still wears the scented lotion we made together.

“Like what?” Her voice is soft, her eyes fixed on mine.

It’s the closest to an invitation I’ve had since I got back, and I lean closer. She doesn’t pull away. “I’d like to kiss you.”

Amber eyes blink to my mouth, and her tongue slips out to touch her bottom lip. Heat surges below my belt, and I slide my hands up her arms, ready to pull her to me. My throat is tight, and I quickly realize Dove is asleep, the house is otherwise empty.

I can still taste the warmth of her mouth. I want to taste her everywhere. She exhales a soft noise, a quiet yes, and a loud knock on the door makes her jump.

We step completely apart when the kitchen door opens. “Noel? You around?”

“Deacon.” She shakes her head. “I asked him to come over and look at the books for me.”

She hurries into the kitchen, and I fall forward, leaning my forehead against the wall and sliding my hand over the bulge in the front of my jeans. So close…

Noel spends the afternoon discussing finances with Deacon, and I’m impressed by the numbers I hear them throwing around. I realize Noel doesn’t need to stay in this house with her brothers. She’s here because she wants to be, because they’re family.

My girl is an incredibly successful businesswoman, and it makes me proud. She doesn’t need me to save her or Dove, and it makes me want to earn her kiss even more.

I remember what Leon said long ago about her being serious-minded. He still hasn’t forgiven me. Sawyer had a conversation with him, but the most I get is a passing greeting from him. He still watches me like a hawk or ignores me completely—like all through dinner.

My little mouseling remains unusually subdued through the meal. Her mother says she’s not sick, but by story time, I’m ready to get to the bottom of what’s going on.

She sits beside me on the couch instead of her usual climbing into my lap, and I hold the book a second before scooting around to face her.

“Is everything okay?”

Her blue eyes are on her hands, and she nods.

I’m not a child psychologist, and I’ve only known Dove a few weeks. Still, I’m pretty sure that’s a no disguised as a yes.

“I thought you were really great in your play today. I didn’t know pilgrims could sing so well.”