Page 37 of Devlin (Lighthouse Security Investigations Montana #4)

Mia had always greeted her staff, the refugees, and all the workers with the same warm smile every day.

It was second nature, a part of who she was.

But now, that effortless kindness had turned into something else—something laced with quiet wariness.

She studied faces more intently, searched for fleeting expressions of deceit, tuned into conversations with sharper ears, and filtered every interaction through a lens of suspicion.

She hated it.

The day was winding down, and soon, she’d call Devlin to come pick her up.

Eager to finish, she closed out the last of her work, locked her office door, and descended the stairs to the warehouse floor.

The scent of dust and grain hung in the air, mingling with the sharp scent of diesel as the last delivery truck finished unloading crates of rice and beans.

Determined to shake off her lingering dark thoughts, she politely greeted the driver with a smile. The drivers, along with her staff, worked tirelessly. She wondered what was allowed in Dr. München’s budget for the local drivers and if it was a good salary compared to others in Uganda.

The driver gave a small nod in return, barely meeting her eyes, and turned back to the unloading process. Not wanting to be in the way, she stepped to the side, standing near the back of the truck.

Her mind drifted, already anticipating the moment she’d see Devlin. Just the thought of him sent a gentle warmth to her chest, like the first days of spring after a long, cold winter. It was a comfort she hadn’t allowed herself in years. It’s only been a few days… am I crazy?

Some would call her naive, foolish even, for letting him back into her heart so soon after their reunion.

Others would scoff at her willingness to believe his words, to accept his truth without demanding penance.

But none of them mattered. None of them understood.

Because he was right—no one else knew them.

No one else had felt what they’d felt, had lived in the quiet spaces between then and now, in the memories that had shaped them into who they were.

Time had carved them into different people and forced them to grow in separate directions, yet somehow, impossibly, those paths had led them back to each other.

And wasn’t that something worth trusting?

She hadn’t forced him to grovel, hadn’t needed to see him on his knees to know what was real.

It wasn’t about retribution—it was about knowing.

About trusting. And, more than anything, about wanting. And she wanted him.

As her thoughts roamed, her gaze absently traced over the container truck, seeing rust streaking the metal edges, bolts worn down from years of use, tires balding, their tread nearly nonexistent. The vehicle, like everything here, had seen better days.

Maybe I need a break. Perhaps it is time to go home. See my family… hold my nephew.

The thought settled in her bones, heavy yet hopeful. She craved time to clear her head, to shift her focus to different problems—simpler problems. Time with her family would help, but with that thought came another. What happens to Devlin and me when the future is so unknown?

She lowered her gaze to her boots, blocking out the chaotic bustle of the warehouse for a moment.

Her parents had adored Devlin, just as his parents had welcomed her with open arms. But after the breakup, especially the cruel way it had ended, her parents had mourned alongside her.

They hadn’t just lost the relationship of a man they thought would be their son-in-law, but they had lost the faith they had placed in him.

Her mother, always protective, had offered the advice that came with a quiet warning… please be careful.

And Mia was being careful. But just as Devlin had to prove he had changed, prove he regretted his choices and the pain they had caused, their families would have to navigate those same emotions.

A sharp shout echoed from inside the truck container, jolting her from her thoughts. Instinctively, she stepped forward to investigate. Before she could reach the edge of the truck bed, the driver moved swiftly into her path, blocking her.

She tilted her head, offering him another polite smile despite the unease prickling at the back of her neck. “Excuse me.”

He bowed his head slightly, murmuring a reply, but there was no warmth behind it. When she stepped to the side to go around him, he adjusted his stance, mirroring her movement with subtle precision.

Mia frowned, surprise flickering through her as another shout rang out from inside the truck.

Then just as suddenly as he had blocked her, the driver dipped into a deep bow, mumbling an apology before stepping aside.

Still on alert, she moved past him, scanning the container’s interior, but spied nothing untoward.

The crates were emptied and stacked neatly against the walls. If something had happened, there was no sign of it now.

She forced herself to shake off the nagging suspicion.

Farid had adjusted the schedule, so no additional deliveries would be made tonight until the workers could be reassigned.

There shouldn’t be anything unusual. Before she could dwell on it further, a familiar voice called out from the loading dock.

“Hey, gorgeous! Haven’t you left yet?”

She turned, her expression immediately relaxing as she spotted Charlie coasting toward her on his bicycle. He braked to a stop, lifting a water bottle and taking a long drink.

It was a common sight—Charlie zipping around the camp, always in motion. He’d even taken a trip to Kenya during one of his breaks, competing in a race that combined running and cycling.

“Hey!” she greeted with a grin.

“When are you finally going to join me?” he asked, flashing his signature wink.

Mia laughed, shaking her head. “Charlie, I’m on my feet all day long. By the time I’m done, I have zero energy to hop on a bike. Or jog. Or play tennis. Or participate in whatever reindeer games you dream up.”

He smirked. “I wouldn’t care if you had a shiny red nose, Mia Rudolph. You could play in my reindeer games anytime.”

He climbed off his bike and leaned it against the loading dock, resting his hands on his hips as he took in the scene. After a long, exaggerated sigh, he shook his head. “If you were stuck in an office crunching numbers all day like I am, you’d beg for fresh air.”

She smirked. “Sounds like you’re ready to trade places with me.”

He shrugged, nodding. “Maybe. I probably shouldn’t complain. I do have a fan in my office while you’re out here breathing in truck exhaust.”

Her nose crinkled. “You’ve got that right.”

Just then, the truck driver climbed into the cab. He gave a quick wave through the window before rumbling away, heading toward the local market where he would reload supplies for the next day’s deliveries.

Mia turned her attention back to the warehouse.

The workers were finishing up, sweeping the floors.

She waved them off as soon as they were done, watching as they dispersed into the fading daylight.

Charlie stepped in to help, and together, they lowered the massive metal doors, securing them with heavy locks.

As they walked back toward his bicycle, Charlie shot her a curious look. “Do you ever think about doing something else?”

She let out a soft laugh. “Almost every day.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Yet here you are.”

Mia sighed, then smiled. “Because I’ll see a child so excited over a piece of fruit, or an expectant mother savoring a meal, knowing she’s not just feeding herself, but nourishing her baby too. Those moments… they remind me why I do this.”

Charlie didn’t answer right away. Instead, he studied her with a quiet intensity she rarely saw in him.

After a beat, his voice dropped, his usual teasing replaced by something more serious.

“I know everybody thinks I’m just a joke,” he said.

“But, Mia… you’re a really good person. Just…

be careful. Not everyone here is who they seem to be. ”

The low rumble of an approaching Jeep cut through the evening air, breaking the easy rhythm of their conversation.

Mia turned instinctively, her gaze settling on the familiar vehicle as it slowed near the warehouse.

The moment she spotted Devlin behind the wheel, a smile tugged at her lips, and she lifted a hand in greeting.

Charlie followed her line of sight and let out a dramatic sigh. “And this is my cue to hit the road.” He grinned, but his voice had an unmistakable note of mischief. “Damn, I thought I might have you to myself a little longer.”

Rolling her eyes, Mia swatted playfully in his direction before waving him off. He didn’t linger—just hopped onto his bike, kicked off the ground, and pedaled away, disappearing into the fading light.

Without another glance back, she jogged toward the Jeep, her pulse kicking up for reasons that had nothing to do with exertion. She barely waited for Devlin to put the vehicle in park before climbing inside and turning toward him.

Before he could say a word, she reached out, cupped his face between her hands, and pulled him close, pressing her lips to his.

He stiffened for the briefest second, clearly caught off guard—but then he sank into the kiss, meeting her fervor with equal intensity.

His hands slid to her waist, anchoring her in place as their breaths mingled.

The scent of him, something warm and familiar, laced with hints of mosquito repellent, wrapped around her, grounding her in the moment.

When they finally broke apart, his lips curved into a smile, his blue eyes bright with amusement. “I’m not complaining, sweetheart, but what was that for?”

Mia shrugged, still a little breathless. “I don’t know. I just wanted to kiss you.”

Devlin chuckled as he shifted the Jeep into drive, shooting her a sideways glance before winking. “Then let’s get somewhere where we can kiss as much as we want.”

The drive back to her quarters was short, the quiet hum of the engine filling the space between them. The night was settling in, the air thick with the distant scent of cooking fires where the refugees prepared their evening meals.

Just as they were nearing her room, Mia broke the silence. “You know, I think Charlie has a lot of sadness.”

Devlin let out a scoff, his hands steady on the wheel. “Sadness? Charlie?” He cast her a doubtful glance. “What were the two of you talking about that gave you that idea?”

She sighed, turning slightly in her seat to face him. “As usual, Charlie always tries to hide behind a quip, flirting, or even saying something outrageous. But I think that can be a way of masking something deeper. I think it’s his way of coping.”

Devlin pulled the Jeep to a stop outside the staff quarters, then shifted in his seat to look at her more fully. His expression was considering. “That’s an interesting insight, Mia. I’ve been talking to some of the staff, and he was already on my list to check in with tomorrow?—”

“Don’t tell him what I said!” Her eyes widened in alarm.

Devlin laughed, shaking his head. “I won’t. Believe me, I’m not sure sadness is the emotion I’ll get from him.” He reached out, cupping her cheek with one warm hand, his touch gentle as his thumb brushed lightly over her skin.

Then he leaned in, capturing her lips in a slow, lingering kiss that had nothing to do with urgency and everything to do with savoring the moment.

When he pulled back, his voice dropped into something huskier, something meant just for her. “But enough about him. I want your undivided attention for a while.”

Mia let out a laugh, nudging his shoulder. “Sorry, big guy. Feed me first.”

His face softened. The amusement was still there, but something deeper flickered in his gaze. His thumb traced one last caress over her cheek before he murmured, “Whatever you want, my Mia.”