Brennan smiled. “Indeed, it is a very good morning.” Best he’d had in a long time.
Evie’s head settled back on his shoulder, her fingers lightly tracing the muscles on his chest. “Will you really pose for me?”
“Will you let me make this place safe for you?”
Her gentle laughter warmed his heart. Mission accomplished.
“Are you blackmailing me?” she asked. “Even when you’ve already lost.”
“Never.” Brennan shifted onto his side, a tad reluctantly because it meant she was no longer in his arms, but he wanted to see her face clearly. “I want you safe.”
Evie frowned. “Why me?”
Now it was his turn to frown. “Why you, what?”
A blush crept over her cheeks. “Why… Why do you like me?”
It was the same question as last night. And this time, he was determined to answer.
“What’s not to like? You’re amazing. I’ve seen you with my sister, my family. I’ve seen you step up here in the community inways those who lived here all their lives haven’t. And those kids in your classroom absolutely adore you. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about children, it’s that they have great instincts. Even if I hadn’t been drawn to you before, I certainly would’ve been after. You have such a passion for your work. Those kids are lucky to have you. If you have that for me, I’ll be a lucky man.”
“But…” Her gaze dropped.
“But what?”
Evie shrugged. “Look at you. You’re gorgeous. You could have any woman you wanted.”
“I have her. In my arms.” Or close enough. He reached out and tucked her hair behind her ear and then ran his thumb gently over the soft skin of her cheek. “Right here. Right now.”
“But I’m not—” Her eyes closed. She caught her bottom lip between her teeth. It took a moment for him to understand.
“Evangeline Morgan.” Her eyelids popped open with his use of her full name. “You are the most beautiful woman I’ve had the privilege of laying eyes on. Inside and out. And I will hunt down anyone who has ever made you feel anything less and …”
Her eyes widened and her mouth made that little ‘o’ shape, which made him want to kiss her more than draw his next breath.
“And what?” she prompted.
“You probably don’t want to know.” He probably didn’t want to know either. The thought of anyone making this woman feel less than beautiful about herself had a furiously protective urge rise up in him. Brennan rose on his elbow and leaned in to kiss the tip of her nose. “However, I will take great pleasure in reminding you daily… if you want me to.”
“How would you do that?”
Brennan smiled. “Let me show you.” He shifted closer, his lips barely making contact when they were interrupted by the familiar ringtone he’d assigned to his mother. Groaning, heflopped back on the bed. “I’ll be right back.” He rose and dashed out to the living area and managed to answer it before it went to voicemail.
“Hey, Mom.”
“Is everything alright out there? Are you and Evie safe?”
“We’re good. All safe. The power…” The light on the table glowed dimly. “Is back on. Everyone safe there, too?”
“Everyone’s fine. There’ll be a quick rehearsal at five o’clock this afternoon. It’s just ten minutes, so please don’t be late. There’ll be dinner afterwards for everyone.”
“As long as the road’s clear, we’ll be there. Any word on that?”
“Oh, I’m sure it’ll be fine.” His mother’s tone was suspiciously breezy. “I’ll get one of the boys to confirm with you later. Have a lovely day.” And then she was gone.
Brennan stared at his phone and added his mother to the growing list of family members behaving oddly. But that was a problem for another time. He had a more pressing matter. Returning to the bedroom and Evie, he put his phone on the bedside table and was about to slip back under the covers when he spotted an open sketchbook on the floor. He reached down, pausing when he got close enough to make out the picture in the still-dim light.
“Wow.” He grabbed the book and sat back on the bed after flicking on the bedside lamp, oblivious to the chill settling around him as he studied the drawing and then turned to Evie. “You drew this?”
