Katie sprang to her feet, and carefully placing her hand on Luke’s back, smiled up at Josh. “Better than okay.”
“You had me scared for a minute.”
“I had you scared? Are you kidding? I’ve never been more afraid of losing someone I loved in my entire life.”
“Well, if you put it that way…” his words suddenly clogged in his throat as his brain fully processed what she’d said. “Wait. You love me?”
Her cheeks flushed, she took a step back, and nibbling on her lower lip, slowly nodded.
If it were possible for a human heart to burst with joy, his was pretty dang close. “Does this mean it’s okay to mention that I love you?”
“You do?” She inched closer again.
He nodded, and Luke pulled away from the crook of his neck. “Mama.”
“Mama!” Katie threw her hands in the air. “I’d better let Alice know.”
“No need.” Alice trotted up to them, Clint on her heels, his phone at his ear. “Well, young man,” she stopped at Josh’s side, “youare a sight for sore eyes.”
Clint gently placed a blanket on Luke. “How’s he doing?”
“Doesn’t seem to have any issues. I think he was in the mine most of the night. No sign of animal tracks in the mine. I didn’t notice any bruises or injuries and he doesn’t feel warm or cold, so I think he’s going to be all right.”
“We have Doc Conroy on his way anyhow.” Alice gently patted Luke’s back, pulling her hand away when the boy snuggled deeper into Josh’s shoulder.
The crowd grew. Luke’s mother appeared, her husband at her side, and practically ripped her son from Josh’s arms. Another moment later and the doc showed up. Cheers and high fives made their rounds all the way back to the Miller’s yard. The command post dismantled, the volunteers making their way back to town or home, Doc Conroy giving Luke a clean bill of health, Josh walked Katie to the truck. Opening the back door, the two dogs gingerly climbed in and settled in the back seat.
Josh closed the door behind the dogs and turned to Katie. “Back to the ranch?”
Nodding, rather than step up into the truck, she stepped into his personal space.
With an ease he hadn’t expected, Josh wrapped his arms around her. “I meant what I said. I love you.”
“Me too.”
“You love you too?” he teased.
Chuckling, she tipped her head back to meet his gaze. “I love you too. Now the question is, what are we going to do about this?”
Chapter Seventeen
“All right. I think today’s effort calls for everyone’s favorite lasagna.” Pulling open the freezer door, Alice Sweet pulled out a foil covered aluminum pan almost as big as she was.
“Here,” Josh jumped up from his seat and reached his friend’s mother before the weight of the pan toppled her over, “I’ve got this.”
She smiled up at him, an unusual glint in her eyes. “Thank you.”
When she continued to grin at him without moving or closing the freezer door, he had to ask. “What? Do I still have dirt on my face?”
“You’re not careful anymore.” As if that explained everything, she bumped the freezer closed and maneuvered around him. “Set that on the stove and I’ll see what else I can rustle up.”
The back door blew open and in stomped Preston and Sara Sue with Carson and Jessica right behind them.
“Just so you know,” Sara Sue dropped her purse on an empty chair, “Katherine Miller is planning on supplying Raider and Brady with steaks for the rest of their lives. Luke is not only home and happy, he’s decided Raider is his new best friend.”
“They deserve it.” Alice returned to the freezer.
“I’ll second that.” Katie reached over and scratched Raider’s ear. At her feet, the dog swished his tail once then twice before dozing off again.
