Page 146 of Wrapped in Their Arms

Her grandmother gave her a loving but firm smile and patted her hand.

“You go spendChristmaswith your two men friends,mi hija,” she said in a low, affectionate voice.“Iwill be just fine.I’mjust so glad they came in time to stop that horribleBransonfrom hurting you!”

Noelle swallowed hard against the lump rising in her throat.

“Are you sure you want to stay?”she asked, searching the older woman’s eyes.“Itmight not be safe here,Abuela.Notuntil we know for sure?—”

“I’ll keep her safe with me,” a new voice chimed in, bright and sharp as a bell.

Noelle turned to see her grandma’s next door neighbor,Thelmashuffling up the walk, her flowered house dress fluttering in the breeze.Shewas short and stocky, her snow-white curls bouncing as she moved.Despiteher age, her faded blue eyes were alert and full of fire.

“Rosario andIhave been best friends for a coon’s age,”Thelmadeclared, hooking her arm throughAbuela’sfirmly.“Ain’tno agents getting into my house without a warrant.”

She gaveNoellea knowing look and patted the side pocket of her housedress.Theunmistakable shape of a heavy metallic object bulged beneath the thin cotton fabric.

“And even if they try to get one,” she added, “I’vegot my own firearm.”

Noelle raised her eyebrows.“Isthat a?—”

“We’re a stand your ground state, you know,”Thelmasaid primly, lifting her chin.“Ain’tnobody taking my friend.Andwe’ll have a real niceChristmastogether.Gotplenty of cookie dough, andI’vegot thatTomJonesChristmasCDRosariolikes so much.”

“Oh,Thelma.”Abuelagave a little chuckle and dabbed at her eyes with the corner of her cardigan sleeve.

Noelle looked from one woman to the other.Despiteher worry, she couldn’t help but smile.Thesetwo had weathered a lot of storms together—and they weren’t about to stop now.

“Go,hija,”Abuelasaid softly, cuppingNoelle’scheek in her palm.Herfingers were papery and cool, but full of warmth.“Enjoyyourself while you’re young.Comesee me after—I’llbe here.”

Noelle leaned in and hugged her tightly, breathing in the comforting scent of cinnamon and lavender.Hereyes burned, but she blinked the tears away.

“I’ll come check on you afterChristmas,” she whispered.“Ipromise.”

She pulled back and kissed her grandmother’s cheek one last time, then stood and turned to faceBurnandBright.

They were already watching her, waiting silently, their gazes warm and full of unspoken emotion.

“Come on, boys,” she said, her voice soft but certain.“Let’sgo back home.”

82

NOELLE

Noelle stepped into the warmth ofBurnandBright’ssuite and took in a deep breath.Theclean, citrusy-vanilla scent of theMotherShipwrapped around her like a weighted blanket and soft lighting glowed from above, casting warm golden tones across the plush indigo carpet and silver-paneled walls.

She was home at last.

Her boots made no sound as she crossed the threshold, flanked by the two towering warriors who still hadn’t said much since they boarded the shuttle.Thoughboth had kept her protectively sandwiched between them on the flight fromEarth—Burn’shand warm on her thigh, andBright’sshoulder pressed lightly to hers—their silence had felt thick, like something unspoken hung between them.

Noelle looked at them uncertainly.Theywere speaking again…weren’t they?

“SoIguess the two of you are on speaking terms again?”she asked, arching an eyebrow as she paused just inside the door.Sheturned to look at both warriors in turn, almost afraid to feel hopeful.

Bright glanced atBurn.Hishazel eyes caught the low light and shimmered like warm amber.

“I hope we are,” he said simply.

“If you’re not,”Noellecontinued, folding her arms loosely beneath her breasts, “Thenhow did the two of you know to come for me?”

Burn ran a hand through his thick dark hair and looked at her seriously.