Like family.
The thought hit her sideways, leaving her slightly off-balance. What did she know about family, about being part of something like this? Nothing. They made it seem easy because they’d all grown up in this environment, where people cared about each other and spent enough time together that they’d heard about the woman Noah was dating.
She hadn’t even mentioned Noah’s name to her mother.
“Maybe.” She focused on scratching behind Ripley’s ears. “If I can find time between training sessions.”
“As your current training instructor, I think we can work something out,” Noah teased.
Great. Now she didn’t have a ready excuse. Nor did she have a good reason why she’d been looking for one. It was just…a lot to be absorbed into this family dynamic. They’d just folded her right in, like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Like she belonged here.
The door opened again, this time admitting a tech with a question for Dr. Colton. The interruption gave Sabrina a moment to breathe. Because she needed one.
“Speaking of family,” Sassy said when the tech left. “What’s going on with Mark? He hasn’t been answering my texts.”
Something in Noah’s expression shifted. “I wish I could tell you, but you’re not the only one he’s ducking.”
“Sam mentioned he still hasn’t given anyone a reason why he suddenly quit the Army.” Richie’s weathered face creased with concern. “Do we need to be concern—”
“Jacob and I are handling it.” Noah’s tone carried an edge Sabrina hadn’t heard before. “We’ll let you know if we need anything.”
The undercurrent of worry in the room felt familiar. She’d sensed it at Jacob’s office too, though she hadn’t known what it meant then. Now the picture was clearer—the Coltons closed ranks around their own. Protected each other.
Must be nice. Did Noah have any idea how lucky he was?
“Well—” Sassy’s bright tone didn’t quite mask her unease as she changed the subject “—you two should join us for lunch. Giuseppe’s has outdoor seating. Ripley can come too.”
For a moment, Sabrina let herself imagine it. Lunch with Noah’s family, listening to the stories, learning more about what Noah had been like as a kid. Being a part of this dynamic, these people, for a little while longer.
The surge of want in her chest terrified her.
This wasn’t what she did. Families were full of other people who weren’t her. She and Noah were having fun. That’s all this was supposed to be. If Noah wouldn’t set the record straight, she had to be the one to set the boundaries.
“Thanks, but I should get back to work.” She managed a smile and stuck out her foot. “Still breaking in these new boots.”
It sounded pathetic out loud. Noah’s slight frown said he wasn’t totally on board with her excuse either, and that didn’t bode well for someone who should have been the one to decline on her behalf.
He didn’t push though, just helped gather Ripley’s paperwork while trading goodbyes with his family. Sassy hugged her, which threw her for a loop. What was with these Coltons and their easy affection? Did they not get the memo that she could double as a porcupine?
The drive back to her place stretched under weighted silence. Noah kept shooting her careful glances that she pretended not to notice.
“Any word on Camille?” she asked finally, desperate to think about anything besides how much she’d enjoyed his family. And how she’d had to push back.
He sighed. “Dead end so far. No activity on her social security number, no new address. She’s gone completely dark, just like Annie did.”
“That can’t be a coincidence.”
“My thoughts exactly.” His hands tightened on the wheel. “But without more evidence, we’re stuck. I’ve got some contacts checking into similar cases in neighboring states, but it’ll take time.”
Time they might not have, if there really was a baby involved. The thought of that carefully folded pink blanket haunted her.
“We’ll figure it out.” She meant it to sound confident, but her voice wavered slightly.
Noah reached across the console to tangle his fingers with hers. “Of course we will. We’re partners.”
Her chest tightened. That’s what scared her. How easy it was to want the bigger meaning behind that concept, to want to be the person his family thought she was.
