“Neigh neighs!” She let out a loud, very realistic horse sound and they all laughed, including the men around them.
Rhae led her out of the lodge. As they wandered the grounds, Zee relaxed in a way that she couldn’t when she was on the set. This place…
For the first time in a long time, she felt alive.
They entered a small, enclosed garden. A couple guys were weeding a patch of vegetables in the early morning sun, grains of dirt clinging to their bare forearms.
“This is the community garden. You know Gabe from the training facility?”
She nodded.
“Fern is his significant other and she created the garden.”
“It’s charming.” Zee drank in the benches and raised beds. Off to the side, a fountain played and flowers turned their faces up to the sun. She wanted to stand here much longer, but the clock was ticking. She’d come back later.
Next, they circled to a pavilion where a group of guys sat at long tables and a stunning woman with a head full of long curls moved between them.
“That’s Honor. My sister-in-law.” Rhae smiled. “She teaches art therapy.”
Zee stilled as she felt a sensation wash over her—one she hadn’t felt in so long she almost didn’t recognize it for what it was.
Excitement.
“I want to be part of this.” She turned to Rhae. “You all do your part—you help the veterans. For Matt—” She gulped. “Formyself…I want to contribute.”
Rhae lit up. “Do you have any ideas?”
She didn’t have a lot of talents. But she had worked for a short time at a gym. “I could teach yoga.”
Rhae’s smile stretched, and a tenderness reached her eyes, making Zee feel that the therapist side of her approved of this too.
“Yes. Youshouldteach yoga.”
She gave a little bounce of happiness. She felt lighter. Happier than she had in years.
“We’ll talk to Willow—sister to all these Malone men. I’m sure you’re going to need supplies for your class and she’s great at organizing things.”
They chatted the entire way back to the lodge. When they approached, Church was already standing there, tall and strong. His shoulders were impossibly wide and the mirrored sunglasses he always wore reflected the sun.
For a moment, Zee couldn’t breathe. Just seeing him raised feelings—new feelings she didn’t even understand.
She didn’t realize her steps had slowed until Rhae stopped beside her. “I’ll catch up with you later, Zee. I’m really excited about everything we talked about.”
“Me too. Thanks, Rhae.” She threw her a wave and a smile and hurried over to Church.
Though she couldn’t see his eyes, she saw his lips soften slightly when she reached him.
Without a word they walked to the truck. A minute later they were heading down the long, paved road that ran from the lodge toward the gates. When they reached them, Church slowed and pushed the button mounted on the console. The gates swung open.
At that moment, a warm, rough hand settled over hers.
Zee looked down at Church’s long fingers resting across her hand.
He glanced toward her. “Just practicing. For the job.”
She turned her hand beneath his and laced their fingers together.
“Me too.”
