“Whoa, whoa.” He’d never seen Calliope unsure of anything before. “You’re not thinking he’s going to be comparing you to his first wife, are you? Because if you are, you need to stop.”
“But—”
“No buts, Calliope,” Hawk said. “Lucas is crazy about you, and you’re crazy about him. Don’t fuck that up by worrying about things that aren’t there.”
She blew out a very long breath.
“You’re right.” She nodded and drew her toned shoulders back. “I’m being stupid.”
“You’re not being stupid; you’re scared.” Knowing her reaction to that particular word choice, he quickly added, “And that’s totally understandable. It’s a big step, but you’re more than ready for it.”
“Yeah, I am. Thanks, dude, and like I said, I’d appreciate it if you kept this between us.”
He lifted the talisman and held it between his fingers. “You have my word.”
Her worries laid to rest, she clapped him on the arm. “I’m going to go watch the door.”
Calliope turned and stalked away from him. Just like that, she’d set aside her fear and was ready to stand between danger and people she cared about.
The door opened behind him, and Charlotte and her mom walked out chatting about her mom’s shoes.
He walked behind them until they stopped at the front counter, then he paid the bill.
“Here’s that recipe for ya.” Brenda handed Donna what looked like a napkin with words scribbled on it.
“Thanks so much.” She accepted the recipe and tucked it into her purse. “I’m looking forward to trying it.”
“You’ll have to let me know how it turns out.” Brenda handed Hawk his change. “It was nice meeting you both, and I hope we see you again.”
“Thank you,” Charlotte and Donna said.
“Stay between Hawk and me.” Calliope was all business as she pushed the door open.
The bells tinkled as they stepped outside into the cooler air and walked to their vehicles.
Hawk and Calliope unlocked their trucks. She reached into her back seat and pulled out a small gray suitcase and put it in Hawk’s back seat.
Donna looked up at him. “Please protect my girl.”
“With my life.” Hawk hugged her, then stepped back so she could wrap her daughter in a hug.
“Please be careful, and do whatever Hawk tells you, okay?”
“I will, Mom, I promise,” Charlotte said.
“It was nice meeting you, Remy.” Donna petted the dog.
Hawk opened her door, made sure she was belted in, and swung it shut with a solidthump.
“Here, Calliope.” He handed her the other burner phone. “This is for Donna. We’ve already programmed the necessary numbers into it.”
“Got it. Talk soon.” She rushed around to her door, climbed in behind the wheel, and fired up the growly V8.
Donna waved at them as they drove out of the lot and turned to head back to her place.
Charlotte watched them until the taillights disappeared around the curve in the road.
“You doin’ okay?” Hawk pulled her into a hug.
