Those pretty lips pouted. “I can’t stop shaking. It’s over. I should be fine.”
Seth chuckled. “It’s the adrenaline. Happens all the time.”
“You’re not shaking.”
“Only because the army trained our bodies so we can deal with it. Trust me, I’m shaking on the inside. I’ve never been so scared, Mara.”
“Me too. Did you mean it? It wasn’t adrenaline and fear talking?”
Knowing exactly what she meant, he tilted her chin up, so they were gazing into each other’s eyes. “I meant it. I love you, Chaos Machine.”
Her eyes sparkled, and her lips tilted up even as she leaned in to kiss him. “I love you, too, Mr. Clean. Or Mr. Dirty, depending on the situation.”
He grinned. “The dirty stuff’s the best.”
“With you, it is.”
His heart expanded again. The damn thing would be too big for his chest with all the love pumping through it. Love he’d never expected to feel.
“Coming to this apple farm was the best decision I ever made.”
“You didn’t think so that first night.”
The mischievous sparkle in her eyes had him grinning. “Your baking smelled delicious, but the chaos you’d left in your wake nearly had me running for the hills.”
“I’m glad you were brave enough to stay.”
They heard people in the mudroom, and Ford called out. “Just us. Marcus is here.”
Most of the group trooped in. Some moved to grab snacks and drinks from the fridge. Amber moved to the stove to tend the boiling kettle. Every single one of them touched him and Mara as they moved by.
Jolie disappeared through the door to Mara’s rooms and returned with a blanket and Fritter. The cat yowled as it saw Mara. He leapt from Jolie to thump into Mara’s arms.
She folded the cat into her, and Seth felt another shudder run through her. He thanked Jolie and tucked the blanket around Mara as she held the cat.
Boomer also moved over and laid his head on Mara’s lap, even while he kept his eye on Amber. The dog was as intuitive as anyone Seth knew.
Amber brought over a tray of mugs of chamomile tea, and sat on Mara’s other side, patting Boomer’s head. “I’m so glad you’re okay. Once the adrenaline dump hits, you’re going to want to sleep for a week. The tea and some of your apple loaf should help you get through the next bit. The sugar will counteract some of the shock and give you a temporary energy boost. ”
He knew Amber had been through her own hell—more than once.
Mara thanked her with a small smile. He could see the fatigue weighing her down and hoped he could get her into bed soon.
Marcus entered the kitchen, looking official in his uniform. His eyes took in everything, then he sat across from Seth and Mara at the table. “I’m glad you’re both doing okay. We’ve got Blake MacNeil in custody in a squad car. There’s a deputy with him. He’s showing remorse, and I believe he’s no longer a threat to either of you.”
Mara leaned into Seth’s side as she petted Fritter. “Thank you.”
“Our local doctor, Lia Moreno-Cheveyo, will be here in a few minutes. I know you’re probably exhausted, but having her look you over before you crash is smart.”
Mara sucked in a deep breath. “I’m fine.”
Marcus nodded. “And brave and smart, from what I hear. But it’s still a good idea to talk with her. It won’t take long.”
Seth figured Arrow almost always got his way with his patience and determination. The kindness lurking behind his every action helped, too.
Mara nodded. “Okay.”
“Thank you. I’ll feel better once Lia checks you over for injuries and the after-effects of what MacNeil used to knock you out. I’ll need to get statements from each of you, but that can wait until tomorrow. The others have filled me in on what happened, so I have the basics, but I’ll need to hear from each of you, so I have the whole picture.”
