Page 17

R hae stepped out onto the wide back deck that encompassed the length of the veterans’ building, blinking against the slanting rays of afternoon sun. Crisp air teased her skin, reminding her that this would be one of the last meals she and Navy would get to eat outside with winter approaching.

The scent of mountain pine filled her nose, along with the smell of something salty and savory.

She turned to see Denver walking toward her with a tray. His grin so damn charming that it made her heart flex—and that tormenting dimple in place in his cheek.

In her arms, Navy wiggled to be released. She quickly moved to slide the baby into the high chair already set up waiting.

Rhae looked over the tray of food. “So I’m not imagining it. I really did smell prosciutto.”

With a chuckle, he set the tray down and leaned in to pull her against him.

She moved willingly, eagerly, into his arms. This would never get old even if they were together for the rest of their lives.

Nothing had been set in stone, and she needed to slow down the trip of her heart, but being with Denver again gave her the hope that someday…they might be a real family.

He kissed her soundly before taking her by the upper arms and turning her to face the tray. A full charcuterie was spread out there—folded meats, cubed cheeses, black and green olives and some fresh fruits for Navy.

It was so perfect, so charming, that it pulled a laugh out of her.

“First the floor picnic, now this. Are you trying to seduce me with snacks again?”

He wrapped his arms around her from behind, nuzzling her ear. “Is it working?”

“Hell yes.”

Navy pounded on her high chair tray, demanding attention, food or both. They laughed and sat down at the rustic wood table to share the afternoon snack.

Rhae handed Navy three broken chunks of banana. With a squeal of delight, Navy hurled one over the deck rail.

Denver’s eyes sparkled. “She’s got an arm on her. Softball player, maybe?”

“Don’t get any ideas.” Rhae took a small dish and began filling it with her favorites.

He watched Navy stuff her mouth full of banana. The tender expression on his face left Rhae’s chest tingling with emotion.

“So what’s with the charcuterie on a random weekday afternoon?” She popped an olive in her mouth.

He leaned in, eyes glimmering. “Your birthday.”

She gasped. “You knew it was my birthday?”

He sat back. “I know a lot about you, Rhae. I’ll never let another one go without being here. This day matters. You matter.”

His words hit somewhere deep and quiet inside her. How was it possible to be even more head over heels for him than she was?

Shaking her head in awe, she nibbled the food and watched Denver interact with the baby. Seeing them together left her breathless.

When he picked up a cracker, Navy pounded on her tray again. He laughed and held up the cracker. “Can she eat this?”

She nodded. “She may only have three teeth, but they get the job done.”

“Is that normal? To have three teeth?”

“Depends on the time of life, I suppose.” She flashed a grin at his amused look. “Some babies get teeth faster or slower than others. Navy is right on track.”

She thought about Denver confronting her the previous day with the fact that she’d only left the ranch twice to take the baby for checkups. Luckily, the fresh air and ranch life kept Navy from getting sick, and that allowed Rhae to fly under the radar a little while longer.

But now…

Denver handed Navy a cracker, and she mashed it into her mouth. He laughed at her antics, reaching out to cup her round head in his broad palm.

“You know it’s your momma’s birthday, Navy. Did you tell her happy birthday?”

“She gave me a fat, wet kiss on the cheek this morning.”

His lips curved in a rugged smile that pierced Rhae’s heart even deeper.

He slanted a glance her way. “This is just the beginning of your birthday celebration, Rhae.”

She straightened. “What do you mean?”

“When I was in the military, we never got to do this. We had to keep things quiet. No dinners, no date nights. No birthdays. I’m allowed to now, and I’m going to do it right.”

“Oh, Denver.” She leaned in and kissed him, a brushing of lips that made her toes curl in her boots. Navy shrieked again, breaking the moment, and they sat back, laughing at their daughter’s demand to be the center of attention.

She reached for a piece of cheddar. “So what’s the plan?”

“You, me, dinner out tonight. Just us.”

Her mind spun, her heart already picking up an extra beat of worry.

Denver continued, “I already talked to Willow. She insisted on watching Navy. She has a whole lineup of baby activities—block towers, movies, dance parties. You won’t have to worry about a thing.”

The cheese seemed lodged in her throat. “You want to…leave the ranch?”

He nodded. “Just for the evening. I made a reservation. There’s a little place in town—quiet, candlelit. You’ll love it.”

The ranch. Leaving.

She hadn’t done that in…months. Six of them, to be exact, if Oaks was keeping track—and he probably was.

“I don’t know,” she said slowly. “It sounds amazing, but…”

“But?”

“I don’t know if I can.” Her voice was a whisper, even though no one but him could hear. “I’ve gotten so used to staying here. It feels…safe. Like a shield.”

He gave her a direct look. “I know. But Rhae, you’re not hiding anymore. And you’re not alone. I’m here. I’ve got this handled.”

She shook her head. She wasn’t hiding, not exactly. Not from the world, anyway. But the more she thought, she realized maybe she had become tethered to the ranch in an unhealthy way.

What kind of therapist told her clients to face fear, build strength, then turned around and hid behind locked doors?

He brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “Look, I know you’re worried about leaving the ranch, leaving Navy. You’ve done what you had to do to protect your daughter at all costs. But I want to give you time away. The town is small. No one is going to see us, not the way I plan to do things.”

That settled her nerves a little bit. Her eyes burned, but she blinked the sting away and forced a smile. “Okay. Dinner tonight.”

He grinned. “Damn right. It’s a date.”

They shared the rest of the snack, laughing while Navy smeared banana across her face. Then Rhae kissed Denver and took the baby out of her chair.

“Thank you for this, Denver. Really. It meant a lot to me.”

He stood, hovering over her, all man and muscle and protectiveness. “Back to work?”

“Yes. A couple more sessions this afternoon. You?”

“Heading to the security office. Carson’s got some light assignments for me.”

Her brows lifted. “So…you’re working for Black Heart Security?”

“Helping out a little. Nothing dangerous.”

She nodded, reassured. The old Denver—the always on alert, waiting for the phone call from his commanding officer Denver—would have jumped at any assignment. This version, the man who brought her charcuterie and wanted to take her to dinner, was different.

He was hers.

Her office smelled faintly of lavender and eucalyptus, the scent she always used to calm patients. She took a deep breath, smiling to herself as she spotted something new on the desk.

A bouquet of flowers. Rich blooms in deep pinks, reds, and purples. Roses, lilies, something wild and thorned.

Her heart stuttered.

Setting Navy on her playmat, she crossed to the desk, fingers trembling slightly as she picked up the small white envelope tucked between the stems.

No return address. Just her name.

She slipped the card free.

Happy Birthday, Rhae. You look so beautiful when you smile. I miss seeing it in person. Soon. —RR

Her knees buckled.

She hit the chair hard, her fingers numb around the card.

Her mind spun. Robert. He was somewhere out there— watching . Of course, he knew her birthday. He had control of all her finances.

But now…he knew where she worked. Where she lived .

Her body felt cold despite the warm sunlight trickling through the window.

He’d found her.

Everything Denver said earlier about having it “handled” evaporated like mist.

Panic beat a war drum in her chest. She had to go. She couldn’t risk it.

She stood and moved fast—sweeping Navy off the floor, rushing out the door, across the hallway, and down to her quarters. She shut the door behind her and locked it before hurrying to the bedroom.

She set Navy down on the floor and then flattened herself on the floor, reaching her arm under the bed for her suitcase. Yanking it free, she pushed into a sitting position, hair trailing in her eye.

The small suitcase she kept packed with essentials stared back at her.

Denver would call it a go-bag.

She’d hoped she would never need it.

She started pulling things from drawers—Navy’s onesies, the baby monitor, her beloved stuffed lion with the ratty tail.

The prescription bottle for the anti-anxiety meds she hadn’t touched in months.

No time to think. No time to call Denver. No time to breathe .

She’d have to be gone by sundown.

Because everything was not handled .

* * * * *

Denver tapped twice on the door before pushing it open. “Hey, birthday girl—ready for dinner?”

He stepped into the room, expecting to see Rhae zipping up her boots or brushing her hair, and Navy sitting on the floor, playing with her toys.

Instead, he froze at the sight before him.

A suitcase. A duffel bag. Both packed to the seams.

He stalked to the bedroom to see her sitting on the edge of the bed, Navy clutched to her chest. Her dresser drawers hung open, and garments dangled out.

The sight punched him in the gut.

“What the hell, Rhae?” He kept his voice low, trying to keep the edge of panic from creeping in. He scanned her taut face. “Where are you going?”

She looked up at him. The moment their gazes met, he saw it—panic, raw and deep. Her breath came fast and shallow.

“He found me.”

Her panic latched on to him too, crawling under his skin. His hand twitched toward his spine, reaching for his sidearm.

“Who?” He already knew the answer—he just needed to confirm his target.