He hugged her.“Me neither.We’ll have to try that again someday.”
“Sounds like an excellent plan to me.”
He picked up their jackets.They’d barely made it inside before ripping their clothes from each other.He figured it was a memory that would have him smiling decades from now.
Realizing he hadn’t checked his phone the entire afternoon made him grin.He knew his buddies would keep their kids safe and that had helped them both relax and focus on each other.A quick check proved he hadn’t missed any calls or messages.
Olivia gasped, and he looked up to find her pale.
“What’s wrong?Is it Ella?”
“No, it’s a message from my agent, filled with apologies.She said some of the personal photos I sent her got mixed into the ones she sent to the publisher.They’ve put one of me and Ella Mae up online to encourage other kids to make snow dragons and brucans.Another one of the four of us, too.Apparently, the photos have gone viral.I’m so sorry.Photos of you and Charlie were never supposed to be in that group.Same with Ella.What if Adam sees them?”
Oh shit.He pulled her into a hug and felt her body trembling.“Okay, let’s get up to the farmhouse, get the kids, and then we’ll figure out how to deal with it.”Once they had the kids back and saw with their own eyes that they were safe.
Olivia made another call while he locked up the cabin.He heard her speak to Amber who reassured her Ella was safe.He sent a quick text to Ford alerting him to the possibility of Parsons identifying him.Apparently, Charlie was right beside Ford and they were wrapping up their last tree before heading home.
Still, Nash made the best time he could hauling their asses back to the barn to park the ATV.They spotted Gray and Boomer walking on either side of Amber as she carried Ella Mae toward them.Gray barely acknowledged their arrival, keeping his eyes on their surroundings.Boomer was in his alert mode and Nash breathed a sigh of relief.
As soon as Olivia climbed off the ATV, she ran.Instead of locking up the ATV in the barn, Nash followed.He wanted everyone safe inside the farmhouse first.Then they could talk with the group and plan.
Ford’s truck drove onto the property before they’d even reached the back porch.Charlie bounced from the back with concern on his face and Oggie in his arms.Charlie raced straight for Nash and kept his voice low.“Maribel just messaged me when we were packing up at Sylvia’s.She said she saw pictures of me and you on social media.Pictures with Olivia and Ella Mae.Wasn’t Olivia trying to keep her identity secret?What if that mean man finds her?”
Nash pulled his son in for a hug with the beagle squirming between them.“Olivia just found out about it, too.Her agent sent those pictures to the publisher by mistake.They were only supposed to show the snow dragons and brucans.Let’s go inside and figure it out.”
When they had all dumped their winter gear and put on their moccasins, they found Knox and Thea in the kitchen.They had a pot of coffee on, the kettle was whistling on the stove, and a tray of brownies sat on the table.
Knox smiled grimly at everyone.“Amber texted us all.Figured we could have a war council while we have dinner.”A timer beeped, and Gray took a tray of stuffed peppers out of the oven.
Thea filled mugs with tea, coffee, and hot chocolate.“We’ve double-checked the window and door locks.The security system is armed, and everything is secure.”
Olivia’s pale face worried him, and he pulled her in for another hug, Ella between them.Charlie joined in.“It’s going to be okay, Olivia.My dad and his friends are really good at making sure people stay safe.Plus, we’ve got the dogs and really smart people here.We won’t let anything happen to you or Ella Mae.”
Olivia smiled at Charlie and rolled her lips together.“Thanks, Charlie.You’re right.We’re going to figure out a plan.”
But she was still trembling.
Nash pulled his chair beside her and wrapped his arm around her.Ella must have missed her, because she kept her arms around Olivia and kept repeatingMamawithin the rest of her rapid babble.
That had Olivia smiling a bit.“Sounds like you had a fun afternoon with Amber and Gray.”
“Oggie.”
Oggie howled happily at his name, and Charlie leaned down to pat him.“We found out today that Oggie can sit and stay.”
Jolie nodded.“He’s also comfortable around strangers and other dogs.He, Hemsworth, and Squirrel had a great time.”
Nash would like to see that.Three very different dogs with different personalities.He felt Olivia stop trembling under his arm while Charlie talked about their day.
Gray’s eyes were serious when he scanned the group.“Okay, let’s talk about the situation with everyone here.Charlie, you good with that?”
His son looked at Nash with a solemn nod, and then turned to Gray.“I’m not as big as you guys, but I want to help.”
Nash pulled him in for a side-armed hug.“We know.And we’re going to keep you in the loop.It’s important you know how to keep yourself safe.”
Charlie nodded at him with those big, dark eyes that reminded him of Charlotte.“And help keep Ella and Olivia safe, too.”
“Absolutely.Your mom would be so proud of the young man you are.”
