Page 148 of Finding His Redemption

The bakery remained silent for exactly three seconds before River let out a low whistle. “Casper speaks! Our boy just had an actual conversation with an actual woman.”

“Probably a sign of the apocalypse,” X said.

Anson, who rarely participated in the ribbing, glanced up from his measurements. “Naomi’s good people. Fierce advocate. Doesn’t back down.”

“Explains how she got Ghost practically volunteering for community service,” Jonah said, chuckling.

Ghost ignored them and returned to the electrical panel. But beneath his carefully constructed mask of indifference, something unfamiliar stirred—a strange mixture of anticipation and dread that made his pulse quicken.

“She’s pretty hot, too,” River added, waggling his eyebrows.

“Shut up, River.”

“He speaks again! It’s a miracle!”

Jax, who had been watching the entire exchange with quiet amusement, finally intervened. “Alright, leave him alone. We’ve got work to finish.” Then he added more softly, “But for what it’s worth, Ghost, I think you should go to that meeting.”

His fingers stilled on the wiring. Jax had never pushed him about his solitary habits before. None of them had, really. They respected the boundaries he’d established from day one at the Ridge—work together, eat together when necessary, but no personal entanglements. No expectations beyond competence.

“Already said I would.”

“Yeah, but will you actually show up?” Jonah asked, his tone gentler than the others. “Or will you just watch from the shadows like you usually do?”

He’d been tracking the missing women cases for months, compiling information, mapping patterns—but always from a distance. Always safely removed from the messy, complicated business of human connection.

Judging by his chaotic physical responses to her, Naomi wasn’t safe. She wasn’t uncomplicated. If he were smart, he’d back out before his simple life got messy.

Her parting shot replayed in his mind:Don’t let me down.

“I said I’ll be there,” he growled, “so I’ll be there.”

“Our little Ghost is growing up,” River said, pretending to wipe away a tear. “Next thing you know, he’ll be using complete paragraphs and making eye contact.”

Ghost picked up a scrap of wood and threw it at River’s head with deadly accuracy. River dodged, laughing.

“And there’s the Ghost we know and tolerate,” X said with a grin.

chapter

forty-four

Four MonthsLater

Jax knew something was up when Walker and Boone cornered him that afternoon, their faces set with that particular brand of ranch seriousness that meant either very good news or very bad. Walker nodded toward the north pasture, his weathered face giving nothing away. “Got something to show you,” was all he said before turning on his heel, clearly expecting Jax to follow. Boone fell into step beside him, silent as always.

As they crested the small rise leading to the training corral, Jax spotted the new horse immediately. Red roan coat catching the morning light, head high and alert, muscles bunched with barely contained energy as it paced the perimeter of the fence. Nothing like the plodding, unflappable Lazy Susan who’d been his mount since he’d arrived at Valor Ridge.

Walker stopped at the fence, hooking one boot on the lowest rail. “What do you think?”

Jax studied the animal, noting the way it moved—all coiled spring and sharp edges, so different from Lazy Susan’s stubborn lethargy. “Looks like trouble.”

Boone’s mouth twitched in what might have been a smile. “He is.”

“Where’d he come from?”

“An auction. Nobody else wanted him.”

“Figured he’d fit right in here,” Walker said, then squinted over at Jax. “You know your required six months with us are up? There’s nothing keeping you here anymore.”