Page 21

21

Niki

The moment the casts came off my arms, I felt weightless—like I’d been set free. A laugh burst from my lips as I flexed my fingers, marveling at the newfound lightness of my limbs. Freedom. After months of being trapped in those damn things, I was finally free.

I was in Oregon, visiting my parents. I had officially moved out of my home and was now rid of the last physical reminder of my injury. The feeling was incredible.

“How does that feel?” my childhood doctor, Dr. Jack, asked with a knowing smile.

“Wonderful,” I said, stretching my arms as if testing their limits. “Are you coming to Marie’s wedding this weekend?”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” he said. “Joaquin’s flying in tonight. He and Katherine are expecting their fifth child, and he’s finally retiring from the Navy SEALs. Best news we’ve had since all these grandbabies started arriving. I love being a grandfather, and now both parents will finally be home with them.”

“That’s fantastic!” I grinned. “Marie told me she wants as many kids as her parents had. That’s... a little terrifying.”

Dr. Jack chuckled. “And what about you, Niki? When are you settling down and having kids?”

I arched an eyebrow. The assumption that a woman had to settle down to have kids never failed to amuse me. “I’m not with the FBI anymore, but once I’m fully healed, I’ll get back to work. I don’t know what yet—I still have to figure that part out.”

“You need a nice, quiet job,” he said, his voice laced with gentle concern.

I smiled. Dr. Jack was old-fashioned, the type who probably thought I should be at home raising kids while my husband worked. And honestly? I didn’t hate the idea. Katherine had once told me that becoming a mother was the best thing in life. She had a law degree but chose to stay home after her first baby and never regretted it. Maybe I’d love that, too. Maybe a house full of kids would make me just as happy.

But then my thoughts drifted to Lyon.

I couldn’t picture him in a house bursting with kids. His place was pristine—spotless. Not a single fingerprint on the walls, no stray toys underfoot. No, Lyon was the one-or-two-kids type. My dream of six? Yeah, that would probably stay just that—a dream.

As I stepped out of the doctor’s office, my gaze landed on him instantly. He was striding down the sidewalk like he owned the world, his confident presence drawing every eye.

My heart leaped.

I ran to him, and he caught me effortlessly, lifting me off the ground before crushing his lips to mine. Right there. In the middle of town. For everyone to see. Neither of us cared. We’d been apart for eight weeks, and he had come for me.

“You didn’t even call to tell me you were back from the jungle,” I scolded, breathless. “I missed you. I hope you don’t have any more jobs that keep you away that long.”

Lyon kissed me again before answering. “I don’t want to talk about work. I want to talk about you selling your house.”

“I sold the house,” I confirmed. “Sold the horses, too.” I lifted my arms. “And look at these! White and scrawny.”

He grinned, pulling my arms to his lips. “They’re beautiful.”

I laughed. “You know my arms haven’t touched water in months.”

His brows lifted. “Oh?”

“I’m kidding. I washed them in the bathroom.”

“I don’t care if they’ve never been washed,” he murmured, his voice low and warm. “When are you moving in with me?”

I smiled up at him. “I promised my parents I’d stay for the grape harvest. And Marie’s wedding is this weekend. But I am so happy you’re here. How long can you stay?”

“A few days.” His gaze swept over the town. “I can see why you love this place. It’s beautiful.”

“I’m just visiting. I live in Southern California.”

“Good.”

I narrowed my eyes. “What happened with your friend in the jungle?”

He groaned. “He was never in the jungle. He was in Alaska. His sister sent us on a wild goose chase.”

I blinked. “Wait. You went all the way to the rainforest without confirming he was actually there?”

“It was his sister!” Lyon shook his head, exasperated. “She swore he’d been missing for three months. We believed her. Turns out, she just thought he was there. Then she claimed she must have dreamed it.”

A laugh exploded from me so hard I could barely breathe. “You’re kidding .”

“She actually blamed us for rushing out there before making sure,” he grumbled.

“She sounds like a real gem. What’s her name?”

“Sheila. One of those wanderers—travels the world, meets random people, listens to people talk about manifesting, and meditates. Drives Tag crazy because he never knows where she is.”

I shook my head, still chuckling. “I have to meet this woman.”

“Then we were called away to help some guys in Afghanistan,” Lyon explained.

I sighed, leaning into his shoulder. “I hate being away from you for so long.”

He pulled me closer, pressing a kiss to my temple. “Me too.”

He kissed me again. “I know. It never bothered me until I met you. It comes with the job.”

“My job was the same way,” I reminded him. “Speaking of which, I got an offer to work for a high-security business.”

His body tensed. “What are you talking about?”

I saw the frown forming and knew he wouldn’t like what I was about to say.

“Ryker Reynolds asked if I wanted to join his team. They do about the same kind of work as your team—high-risk security and international assignments. Sometimes, I’d have to go overseas, but I can handle that if necessary.

I’m taking some time off for now, but I know I’ll get bored while you’re away. I’ve worked my whole life—I can’t just sit around and do nothing.”

Lyon’s jaw tightened. “Ryker? I know who he is. Doesn’t he work with the DEA most of the time? I don’t want you walking into something even more dangerous than what you just left.”

“He doesn’t always work with the DEA,” I said, crossing my arms. “Look, I love you, but I work where I want to work. I don’t tell you where to go, and you don’t get to tell me either. Do you agree with that?”

He exhaled slowly, rubbing the back of his neck. “I don’t want to, but yeah, I’ll agree.” A reluctant smile tugged at his lips. “I’m sorry if I sound like River. I guess he’s rubbing off on me.”

I softened. “Apology accepted.”

He leaned down and kissed me, and just like that, the tension melted away.

“I really am glad you’re here,” I said. “Marie’s wedding is tomorrow. You’re going to love their family.”

I spotted two familiar faces approaching and waved. “Oh! There’s Uncle Michael and Uncle Chris. Hey, you two! Wedding gift shopping?”

Michael grinned. “Hey! You got your casts off.”

Chris nodded in greeting. “Lyon, we didn’t know you were in town.”

“I just got here,” Lyon said, shaking their hands. “How have you been?”

I held up my arms and wiggled my fingers. “I have weenie arms now,” I joked with a laugh.

Michael chuckled. “We’ve been great. Chris picked up something special for Marie when he was in France last month, but we wanted to find something else, too—something meaningful.”

“She already knows how much you care about her,” I assured them. Then I grinned. “Did you hear? Joaquin is retiring from the SEALs.”

“Yes! About time,” Michael said. “Oh, and Katherine’s expecting twins—” His eyes widened, and he slapped a hand over his mouth. “ Don’t tell anyone. That’s a secret.”

“She’s going to have six babies now,” I murmured.

Before I could stop it, a stupid tear slipped down my cheek.

Lyon’s brow furrowed. “Why are you crying? Aren’t you happy for her?”

“Of course I’m happy,” I said quickly, brushing at my face. “I just had something in my eye.”

His skeptical look told me he wasn’t buying it.

“Niki wants six kids,” Michael announced, smirking. “She’s always said that’s what she wants. Is that what made the tear escape?”

“That was not a tear,” I said, scowling.

Lyon’s gaze locked onto mine. “You want six kids?”

I hesitated. “I never even asked if you want kids.”

“Yes,” he said, without a second’s hesitation. “I’ve always wanted a house full of them. Whenever we visit Raven’s dad, there’s always this big, loud family around, and I love it.”

Then he turned to me, his hands settling on my shoulders, his expression serious yet full of warmth.

“Niki Bannon, will you marry me, and we’ll fill our house with kids?”

Michael and Chris started clapping, drawing attention from the people around us. But I didn’t care.

A laugh bubbled out of me, mixing with happy tears. “Yes!” I threw my arms around his neck. “I’ll marry you—and we’ll have a dozen kids if you want.”

Lyon swept me into his arms and kissed me until we were both breathless.

“You just made me the happiest man alive,” he murmured.

Still in shock, I turned to Michael and Chris, my voice a whisper. “He wants lots of kids.” I wiped at my damp face. “I was scared he wouldn’t, and I would have given up on that dream—but now I don’t have to.”

Michael rolled his eyes and handed me a handkerchief. “Here, for goodness’ sake, wipe your face.”

Lyon laughed, and soon, we were all laughing.

“So, I guess we’re getting married,” he said, picking me up and twirling me around. “Let’s not wait too long. You’ve made me so happy.”

I wrapped my arms around his neck, my heart bursting. “You make me happy,” I whispered against his lips.