That might have been four questions, and he still had more.
It didn’t take long for security to arrive, and it was the same officers who’d responded to Maya’s cabin break-in, Ethan and Lila. Gideon filled them in.
“We’ll bring the snowmobile down and see what we can figure out,” Ethan said. He shook his head. “I’m glad she’s all right.”
“That makes two of us.”
“As for the guard,” Lila said, “I can do that. I don’t mind sleeping on her couch if she doesn’t mind me there.”
“I don’t mind,” Maya said, coming from behind the curtain. “I just don’t want to put anyone else in danger. I mean, what if the person after me decides to ramp up his attempts?”
Lila cleared her throat. “Iama trained officer, ma’am.”
“It’s Maya.”
“All right. Maya. I think we’ll be fine.”
“But what about your shifts here? If you’re watching out for me all night, how will you get any rest?”
“I’ll figure it out.”
Maya sighed. “Okay, if you’re sure. I’m supposed to help out at the clinic, but honestly, unless they’re in a state of emergency, I’m going to ask if I have time to catch a few hours of sleep before starting a shift. I have to eat, so I’ll still keep my dinner plans at six, so maybe after that?”
“I’ll be at your place at nine.”
“And she’ll be with me until then,” Gideon said. He wanted to ask if they’d let him carry a weapon but figured that wouldn’t go over too well.
“Okay,” Maya said, “I have some work I’d like to do, so I’m going to grab my laptop and some papers from my room and sit in the café where I’m in full view of everyone until it’s time for dinner. That should keep me safe enough.”
“And I’ll be with you too,” Gideon said.
She nodded. “That would be nice. I’d like that.”
“Come on then,” he said, “we’ll get your laptop and come on back.”
“I’ll go with you,” Lila said. At his raised brow, she shrugged. “Can’t hurt.”
“Maya,” a voice said behind him. “Everything all right?”
Gideon turned to see the man she’d been talking to earlier. This time he had two young boys with him.
Maya smiled. “Hi, Ben, everything’s fine, thank you.” She walked over and crouched in front of the kids, who looked enough alike to be twins except for the older boy’s height to tell them apart. “Hey, you two.” She gave the gentlest tug on the youngest’s ear. “How are you feeling, Mitch?”
“Better.” He slipped away from his father and wrapped his arms around her neck. “Thank you for taking care of me.”
“Oh, sweetie, you’re very welcome.” She hugged him back with only a slight grimace when she moved her injured arm.
Gideon’s heart crashed against his chest wall at the sight of the child in her arms. She looked so natural. So right. She would be a wonderful mother. He swallowed hard. But what kind of father would he be? If he ever got the chance to be one? One with nightmares and who jumped at loud noises, hated fireworks, and carried a weapon with him when he was in the car in case someone pulled up beside him to open fire?
Overwhelming loss nearly pulled him to his knees. He’d never have children because he’d never get married because he couldn’t share his baggage. Baggage he’d love to lose and never unpack again. But that meant taking the risk, sharing his secrets, and opening up. Being vulnerable. Trusting.
So, yeah, that wasn’t happening. He’d learned the hard way to keep his mouth shut about certain things in his past.
“Gideon?” Maya’s voice jerked him back into the present. She was looking at him with a frown on her lips and concern in her eyes. “You okay?”
He drew in a sharp breath. “Yeah, sorry. I was just thinking about something.”
“Let me introduce you all. This is Ben and his boys, Mitch and Owen, my new friends. And that’s Officer Lila.”
