Her eyes widened. “Gimme one of those!”
He laughed and held out the box. She took out a donut and bit into it with a groan. He polished off his in a few bites and went for the second.
After licking off his fingers, he moved closer putting his arms around her. “So how was your first sunrise in Wyoming?”
Her eyes were shiny when she met his gaze. “This was so worth it.”
A new warmth stole through his chest at her words, bottling his own response in his throat. He wanted to tell her that this was the best moment he could remember. That he had been falling for her since the moment she showed up.
And that he wanted to give her a new sunrise every day from now on.
“Yeah.” It was all he could manage.
She pressed closer to his side and tugged the blanket around her legs as she sipped more coffee and finished her first donut.
“These are delicious. I think you’re going to have to introduce me to this famous chef in the therapy lodge.” She popped the last bite into her mouth and chewed.
“I’ll introduce you at dinner tonight.” He couldn’t tear his stare off her captivating face—the small upturn of her nose, her full lips and wide eyes. All created a beauty that stalled a man’s heart.
Stalledhisheart.
She picked up the second donut. “Are you trying to make me fat? Because it is working. I don’t eat like this.”
He slid his hand down her side. “I know.”
Zee studied him for a heartbeat longer. She dropped her gaze. “You’re worried about me.”
He exhaled. “Yeah.” No point denying it.
She turned her attention back to the valley. “I’ve been a…mess.”
“You’ve been dealing with a lot.”
“That’s one way to put it.”
He brushed a kiss over her temple. “You don’t have to carry it by yourself anymore.”
She sighed.
“You’re safe. With me. On the ranch.” The certainty in his voice wasn’t for show. It was a promise.
She looked at him then—really looked at him—and warmth crossed her expression the way the sun was rising in the sky. Pure trust radiated in the depths of her hazel eyes.
He kissed her again, lingering and sweet from the taste of donut glaze. When they pulled away, she let out a little sigh and rested her head on his shoulder. Church held her as they watched the sun climb higher over the mountains.
They didn’t know who was behind the break-ins. Zee had spent three long years trying to piece her life back together after Matt’s death, while Church had spent those same years carrying the responsibility of losing one of his men.
But right now…this moment felt steady.
She sat there bundled in his jacket, the morning light spilling across her hair and turning it to copper, and one thought formed deep in his chest.
He would do anything in his power to keep that fear from ever returning to her eyes.
* * * * *
Zee yawned for about the tenth time in as many minutes.
Even though she could have used those extra few hours of sleep, she wouldn’t change a thing about her sunrise date with Church.
