My hand slides to her waist, thumb stroking the warm skin beneath her shirt. “Maybe because I’m feeling the same damn thing.”
Her eyes fly to mine.
“I’m scared too,” I admit softly. “Because I care. Because you’re under my roof. Because you slept in my arms last night and my whole chest hasn’t felt the same since.”
“Wyatt…”
I tilt her chin up. “We’re in this together. You and me. And we’re not going to break.”
She nods. “Okay.”
We sit like that for a long moment; the fire crackling in the hearth, snow drifting against the windows, Maisie asleep at our feet. The world outside feels cold and far away.
Sadie exhales, leans into my side, and whispers, “I don’t think I remember what it feels like to belong.”
I wrap my arm around her, pulling her closer until her head rests against my chest. “Then I’ll remind you. Every damn day.”
Her hand curls lightly in my shirt.
Like she already believes it.
Like she’s already home.
Chapter 15
Wyatt
Sadie only left about ten minutes ago to walk Maisie toward the pasture fence, but my jaw is already tight, my shoulders locked, as if waiting for impact.
The cabin is too quiet without her in it.
It doesn’t make sense. We’ve only known each other for three weeks.
But it’s not about time. It’s about truth.
And everything about her feels true.
How she looks at me without flinching. How she hands me a mug like it’s natural. How she gives herself to me every night without reserve. How she softens when she curls against me afterward and whispers goodnight.
She’s burrowed under my skin and taken root so fast it ought to scare me.
Instead, it feels like breathing for the first time in years.
I grab my phone off the counter and tap open the group thread with Tank and Tex.
Tex:South fence cam picked up movement at 04:37. Just before dawn. Looked like a snowshoed figure. Could be nothing, but…
Tank:You think someone’s scouting the ridgeline?
Tex:I’ve got the drone up at first light tomorrow. If someone’s sniffing around, we’ll find them.
Tank:Jessie’s been jumpy too. I’m running extra sweeps before sundown.
Saint:I’ve got a bad feeling. Keep eyes out.
Tex:Locked and loaded. We got you.
Tank:We protect our own. No one touches our girls.
