Water dripped from her hair as she chased Adara through the shallows, her jeans soaked to the knees, her face bright with joy. When she slipped on a mossy stone, Leo caught her by the waist, steadying her against his chest.
“I’ve got you,” he murmured.
She looked up at him, laughter still in her eyes, and for a moment, everything else faded away. Then Adara splashed them both, breaking the spell.
And suddenly, unexpectedly, fear gripped him.
What’s wrong?his bear asked, alert to the shift in his mood.
I don’t know,Leo admitted, trying to pin down the unease that had crept into his happiness.It’s just, look at them.
His bear followed his gaze to where Estelle was helping Adara look for pretty stones for the fairy garden.
They’re happy,his bear said, confused.That’s what we wanted.
Yes,Leo agreed.And now I’m terrified of losing it.
That was when it truly hit him. Seeing her like this, seeing what their life could actually be together, made the stakes suddenly, painfully real.
His bear went quiet, understanding at last.
“Leo?” Estelle called, noticing his expression. “Everything okay?”
He forced a smile. “Just thinking we should probably head back soon. It’ll be dinnertime before we know it.”
As they gathered their things and started back toward the trail, Leo couldn’t shake the feeling. Watching Estelle and Adara walk ahead of him, hand in hand, he felt responsibility more sharply now.
Margaret was still out there. The need for secrecy still hung over them. And now, having tasted this simple, ordinary happiness, the thought of it being threatened felt unbearable.
We won’t let that happen,his bear said fiercely.We’ll protect what’s ours.
But as they reached the truck and Leo helped Adara climb in, he couldn’t help glancing over his shoulder, as if expecting to find someone watching from the trees.
Happiness had never felt dangerous before.
Now it did.
Chapter Seventeen – Estelle
Sleep, little one.Estelle kissed Adara’s forehead and crept out of the room as the little girl lay napping on the sofa. It had been a long morning, first breakfast with Leo’s family, and then making deliveries with Leo.
I don’t think I’ve seen her so happy since.Estelle’s dragon paused, too emotional to finish the thought.
But Estelle didn’t need to hear the words to understand her dragon’s meaning.
She likes it here,Estelle thought as she moved quietly into the kitchen.
She belongs here,her dragon added softly.And so do we.
Estelle moved to the kitchen window, gazing out at the mountain view. Afternoon light filtered through the pines, casting long shadows across the yard. Something about the stillness after such a full morning left her feeling oddly unsettled.
I never thought we could have this,she whispered.
Her dragon stirred.Have what, exactly?
This.Estelle gestured vaguely around the cottage.A place that feels settled. People who see Adara for who she is and welcome her anyway.
And Leo,her dragon prompted.
