TEN

Wind whispered through the leaves and sunlight dappled the grass as Ellie pushed Owen in the baby swing hanging from an old oak tree. His giggles warmed her heart but couldn’t erase the nerves jangling through her.

After their conversation by the creek, Daniel informed his boss about the situation. This afternoon, Lieutenant Vikki Rodriguez arrived with another ranger, Jonah Foster. Daniel and his colleague Cole were with them in the dining room.

They were talking. About her. About the threats against her and Owen.

Ellie wanted to be a part of the conversation, but she was no longer an FBI Agent.

Some things had to be discussed outside of her purview.

Not an easy pill to swallow. Especially now when her life was spinning out of control.

Could she trust Daniel to be her port in the storm?

To advocate for her and Owen’s best interests?

She’d only known him a few days. And yet… inexplicably something deep inside her whispered yes. Yes, she could trust him.

“If you keep biting that lip, it’s going to bleed.” Marta’s tone was gentle, but concern darkened her chestnut-colored eyes. She handed Ellie a glass of iced tea and motioned toward the bench under the oak. “Sit, mamasita. I’ll push Owen.”

Ellie released her bottom lip and took a long sip of the sweet iced tea. The cold glass against her mouth soothed the sting. She hadn’t even realized she’d been gnawing at it. A sign of just how worried she was.

Marta gave Owen a push, and he giggled wildly, curls bouncing in the breeze. Scout was nestled beside him in the seat, his floppy ears waving with the motion. Jinx snoozed on the grass next to the bench. The dog opened one eye as Ellie sat, then rolled over with a sigh of contentment.

Ellie traced her fingers along the smooth wooden armrest. “Did your husband make this?”

“Yes.” Marta seemed pleased that Ellie recognized her late husband’s handiwork. “Sam built it so we could watch our grandkids play in the yard.” Her smile faltered as sadness crept in.

Ellie didn’t need her to explain. Sam had passed away a few years back after only a short time with his grandchildren. “You must miss him.”

“Every day. We had twenty-five years together. Some hard, some easy, but always full of love.”

The warmth in Marta’s tone tugged at Ellie’s long-buried dreams. There’d been a time she’d wanted a husband to share her life with and a house full of kids. But her career had come first. She’d thought there’d be time for everything else. And now…

She rotated the glass in her hands. “It’s hard to imagine spending twenty-five years with one person. I’ve changed so much, I’m not sure I recognize the woman I used to be.” Ellie let her attention drift across the pastures dotted with horses. “I was fearless and stubborn.”

Marta let out an unladylike snort. “What makes you think you’re not fearless and stubborn now?

” She scooped Owen up, who was starting to fuss, and joined Ellie on the bench.

Her voice softened. “I won’t pretend to know what’s going on, mamasita, but you have a warrior’s spirit.

Motherhood may have softened you, opened your heart maybe, but it hasn’t changed your grit and determination. Don’t doubt yourself.”

She was full of doubts. Had been since the first attack.

Ellie brushed her thumb over Owen’s chubby hand. “I have more to lose now.”

“That may be, but you’re much stronger than you know.” Marta smiled gently. “God will see you through.”

Her words brought comfort to Ellie's troubled heart. She’d spent so long trying to survive, trying to shield Owen from every threat, that she’d forgotten what it meant to lean on her faith. To trust that God had a plan.

The screen door creaked open. Daniel stepped onto the porch. Sunlight caught his dark hair and outlined his broad shoulders. The memory of being held in his arms last night flashed unbidden in Ellie’s mind. Heat bloomed in her cheeks.

Foolish. Dangerous. Developing feelings for Daniel would only make things messier. But the ache in her chest refused to be ignored. He made her feel safe. And Ellie couldn’t remember the last time she truly felt that way.

His eyes found hers, and the warmth in them made her pulse skip. “Ellie, we’re ready for you.”

Marta gave her knee a gentle pat. Ellie kissed Owen before following Daniel inside. The house smelled of cinnamon and coffee. Voices filtered from the kitchen, but Daniel led her to the dining room.

Lieutenant Vikki Rodriguez stood at the window. She turned as they entered, her expression unreadable, but a small smile curved her lips. “Sorry to keep you waiting, Miss Brooks. There were a few housekeeping matters we needed to take care of.”

“Please call me Ellie.”

She nodded and gestured to a seat nearby.

“Daniel has brought me up to date regarding the delicate situation we find ourselves in. I want to start off by reassuring you that no one on this team, including myself, will contact the FBI about this case until we can be certain that doing so won’t endanger you and Owen.

” Her eyes darkened with bridled fury. “If there is a mole in the Bureau, we’ll root him out. ”

Ellie appreciated the lieutenant’s confidence, but her conscience pricked.

“Thank you, Lieutenant. And I don’t want to sound ungrateful, but when the FBI finds out you didn’t call them…

they won’t be pleased. They may pressure your superiors to launch an investigation that could land you all in trouble. ”

“I know how to protect my team.” Lieutenant Rodriguez arched her brow. “Besides, I don’t know who you are. I only know who you claim to be.”

Smart. Very smart. Ellie couldn’t help the smile tugging at her lips. “I suppose without DNA or fingerprints, it’s impossible to know if I am Agent Elizabeth Conway.”

Vikki smiled back. “Precisely. And we have no physical evidence linking the Iron Fist to the attacks. No IDs on the men from the church or the hospital. As far as I’m concerned, there’s no need to alert the FBI. Yet.” She leveled a look toward Ellie. “If that changes, I’ll be sure to let you know.”

“Understood.” Gratitude swelled. “Thank you, Lieutenant.”

“No need to thank me, Ellie. I’m just doing my job.” She paused and her tone softened. “We’ve all made enemies in this line of work, and we take care of our own. I’m sorry the past has come back to haunt you. We’ll do everything in our power to keep you and Owen safe.”

Relief uncoiled the last knot of fear twisting her stomach. Daniel had been right. His boss was formidable and trustworthy.

Vikki rose and picked up her coffee mug. “I’m going to bring in the rest of the team. While I’m in the kitchen, I’m grabbing another homemade cinnamon roll. Can I get something for either of you?”

Both shook their heads. After she left, Daniel angled his body toward Ellie. His expression was slightly guarded, as if he was concerned she’d regret trusting him. “What do you think?”

“I’m glad I listened to you.” Ellie reached for his hand. “Thank you. For the first time since this started, I feel like I can breathe.”

He interlaced their fingers and gently squeezed her hand before lifting his gaze to meet hers. “So I won’t wake up one morning to discover you disappeared with Owen?”

She inhaled sharply. Ellie shouldn’t have been surprised by the question. Daniel was intuitive, and the thought had crossed her mind more than once last night, but she was caught off-guard by the emotion in his voice. Worry. For her? Or for Owen? Ellie wasn’t sure.

His brows rose. “Shocked I figured it out? You’re not as subtle as you think.”

“Obviously.” There’d been a time, while working undercover, when Ellie had been excellent at hiding her thoughts and emotions.

Those skills had clearly faded since living in Silver Creek.

She licked her lips. “I won’t lie. It’s crossed my mind.

But a life on the run wouldn’t be fair to Owen.

I would never do that to him if there was another way.

Besides, I’m not sure I can keep him safe by myself.

” Ellie paused. “And before you ask, no, I won’t go rogue and take on the Iron Fist by myself or try to find whatever they’re looking for on my own.

I’ll play by the rules the lieutenant lays out. ”

Daniel’s lips quirked up in a teasing smile. “Oof. That hurt to say, didn’t it?”

She lightly smacked his shoulder. “Don’t make fun. Why do you care, anyway? We hardly know each other. I’m surprised you aren’t looking to get rid of me and the trouble I’ve brought to your doorstep.”

“You couldn’t be more wrong.”

Daniel leaned forward slightly, his expression serious and intent. The space between them seemed to shrink, and Ellie found herself holding her breath. His eyes searched hers with an intensity that made her pulse quicken.

“I care. You're right that we hardly know each other, but I can see the kind of person you are.

Someone who'd risk everything for that little boy.

You're also used to working undercover, adapting to the situation, and calling the shots if need be.

But that won't work this time. We're doing this as a team. No more secrets. No more lies. I need your word, El.”

El. For Ellie. And for Elizabeth. Daniel chose a nickname that encompassed both parts of her. It sent her heart spinning. As illogical as it was, given the amount of time they’d known each other, he understood her. It was both comforting and terrifying in equal measure.

She nodded slowly. “I promise. No more secrets or lies." Ellie met his eyes steadily. “But I expect the same from you.”

Building real trust would require honesty on both sides, especially after what she'd been through. She couldn't afford to be blindsided again by someone keeping secrets.

Daniel hesitated, then nodded decisively. “Complete honesty. You have my word.” He stepped back, creating some professional distance between them. “Starting now.”

Her pulse jumped. “What did you find out?”

“We know how the Iron Fist found you. More importantly, we know what they’re looking for.”

Ellie opened her mouth, but before she could voice a question, an alarm on Daniel’s phone blared. He shot out of his seat, his attention jerking to the window. Ellie jumped up too. Her gaze followed his to the yard where Marta and Owen were playing in the grass.

She grabbed Daniel’s arm. “What is it?”

He was already moving to the door. “We need to get Owen inside. Someone’s breached the ranch security system.”