When he looked back, Laine was still at the drawer watching him, a wistful smile on her face.
His heart stirred.
Maybe he shouldn’t say never.
After they finished breakfast,Laine went inside to shower and Emmy stayed outside with Roarke to help him order groceries. She’d probably convince him to buy all kinds of junk Laine never let her eat. Seeing Roarke with Emmy had awakened part of her heart. They’d taken to each other so easily. Cameron had never played with Emmy like that. She’d always wished he’d be more fun and involved, but he’d always been busy or traveling.
Using Roarke’s room felt a little intrusive. She’d helped herself to a T-shirt the previous night because she hadn’t packed pajamas. And, if she was being honest with herself, she’d wanted to feel closer to him. Wearing the old, soft cotton she’d seen on him more times than she could count was like wrapping herself in Roarke’s arms. She’d slept like a baby for six hours.
Once she’d showered and gotten dressed, she stood in front of the tall mirror. She wore leggings and a tunic, but now that she wasn’t in Iraq, she longed for some of her old clothes.
Sighing, she straightened her top and exited the bedroom. Emmy’s voice carried through the screen door from the balcony. “But why do you have a gun?”
Laine paused in the living room, waiting to hear his response. Before they’d gone to Iraq, Emmy had never seen a gun. The sight of assault rifles on security staff at the airport and then again on Cameron’s guards had shocked her.
“I use it for work. To protect myself and others.” He braced his elbows on his knees and squinted at Emmy as she hung on to the railing and looked out at the water.
“Hey guys,” Laine said.
“Hi Mommy.” Emmy beamed.
It’d been a while since Laine witnessed that sparkle in her daughter’s eye. Maybe it was because they were out from under Cameron’s thumb.
“What are you doing?” She took the seat she’d vacated after breakfast. The dishes had been cleared from the table. The afternoon sun was warm despite the cool, March air.
“We just ordered some groceries. I didn’t get much since I hope to leave tomorrow, but Emmy needs more to eat than eggs and week-old pizza.”
Emmy made a face. “Yuck.” Then she cocked her head. “Leave? Aren’t we staying here with you?” She sounded worried.
Laine knotted her fingers in front of her. At the compound, she’d told Emmy they were leaving minutes before Roarke had arrived—and she hadn’t explained much else.
Roarke glanced at Laine then stood. “I’ve gotta make a call.”
Laine opened her arms and Emmy hopped onto her lap. “I’m sorry things have been so scary. But we’re safe now.”
Emmy picked up a few strands of Laine’s hair. “So where are we going?”
“Well, first we need to stop in London to get a few very important passengers,” she said, pretending to be super serious.
“Really?” her daughter screeched.
Laine laughed. “Yes, I’m sure all your stuffies and blankets are waiting for you to pick them up.”
Emmy’s forehead crinkled. “Will Daddy be there?”
“No, honey. And we’re not staying long, just stopping to get our things organized and ready to ship to the United States. We’re going to live there now.”
Her daughter shrunk a little. “I don’t have any friends there. I don’t even know anyone!” She threw her arms in the air.
“You know me.”
Emmy grinned. “Yeah. And Roarke.”
Laine chewed her bottom lip. Emmy was getting attached to him, which was dangerous. She did hope the two of them would continue to form a relationship, especially with Cameron out of the picture. She’d love for Emmy to have a male figure in her life, even if she saw him only periodically.
Still, Emmy needed to understand that they weren’t staying with Roarke.
“Yes, Roarke is a friend. He’s a good person and will keep us safe. He’ll have to go back to work soon, though, so it might be a little while before we see him again.”
