“She…isn’t like other people. She still believes in things.”
“Books and dreams.”
“Exactly.”
“She’s pretty too.”
He issued a rough exhalation, his mind jumping to how she’d looked at him when their hands touched and heat built between them like a live wire.
Carson sobered. “All teasing aside, you should stick close to her. We know weird things happen even in small towns. Better safe than sorry.”
Gabe nodded, the knot in his gut loosening a little. “So you’re good here?”
“I’m good. Go play knight in laundered flannel. Keep your head on a swivel, and if anything feels off, call me.”
He pushed to his feet and started toward the door.
“And Thorne?”
He paused. “Yeah?”
“For what it’s worth, I’ve never seen you like this.”
“Like what?” His chest felt too small to fit his lungs.
“Easier. Happier. Maybe pay attention to that.”
The words followed him out.
He found Felicity in the lodge with Honor, juggling Navy, who was covered in paint from the latest art therapy project. She looked up as he entered, her stare tracking him across the room.
At that moment, Navy spotted him too and let out a squeal. She tipped in Felicity’s lap, making grabby hands to get at him.
With a laugh, he strode over to the table and crouched beside the baby. “Hey, squirt. You painting?”
“Neigh-neigh!”
His gaze met Felicity’s over Navy’s head, and they shared a laugh.
But it felt like they shared more than that. He swore her eyes pooled with a heated intensity that stroked over him.
Navy kicked her feet and reached for him, but Felicity held her firmly by her rounded middle. “She’s covered in paint.”
The toddler went stiff with an impending tantrum.
“Let me take her. I don’t mind the paint.” He held out his hands, and Navy stopped with her mouth midway open on a pending shriek. She threw herself at him, and he scooped her up as Felicity grabbed some wipes to clean off her hands.
As she wiped off the child, he couldn’t tear his gaze away from her. The delicate upturn of her nose had a small spattering of freckles across the bridge. Her hair wisped away from her face in loose waves that begged for his fingers.
God, he wanted to wrap his arm around her and lay claim to her plump lips.
Navy’s chubby hand splatted on his face. He jerked his gaze away from Felicity to the baby. “Did you just paint me?” he rumbled in mock offense.
Navy squealed, and Felicity burst out laughing. The tinkling sound wove through his rough edges and loosened the threads. He found himself laughing too.
Suddenly, Honor popped up beside her sister. “We paint paper, Navy. Let me take her. I’ll wash her up.”
He handed the baby to Honor but neither he nor Felicity moved. Their gazes locked. Then slowly, she reached toward his face. His gut squeezed when she used a wipe on his face.
