“Feels different today,” she murmured.
He slid his hand up her back in a slow sweep. “Yeah?”
She nodded against him. “Not like I’m trying to find my place anymore.” She tipped her head back to meet his gaze. “Like I already have one.”
Emotion creased the corners of his eyes. He brushed his thumb along her cheek before he leaned in and pressed a kiss to her temple. “You do.”
Before she could answer, a shout cut across the yard.
“Hey! You two planning on hiding over there all night?”
Zee laughed as she and Church turned as one to spot Crew waving them over near the long tables set up in front of the big garage. Fern stood beside him, grinning at his interruption.
“Come on.” Church took her hand and threaded their fingers together. “We’ve been summoned.”
They made their way to the tables, stopping twice when people pulled Zee into quick hugs or squeezed her shoulder in passing. It still caught her off guard—how easily the group embraced her and how natural it felt to belong.
By the time they reached the table, Gabe was already handing out drinks while Willow rearranged a tray of mini pies that smelled dangerously delicious.
“There you are.” Gabe passed Church a bottle before sliding Zee a cup of cider. “Thought you might’ve gone to bed early.”
Church chuckled. “Now that you mention it…”
Heat flooded Zee’s cheeks, and she had to duck her head to hide it. But Church never missed a thing when it came to her.
Willow’s eyes sparkled as she looked between them. “We’ve got pies, cookies and a creation Shiloh insists is healthy but tastes like dessert anyway.”
“Itishealthy,” Shiloh called from a few spaces down the table where she sat between Oaks and the famous violinist, Juliette. “Mostly.”
Zee didn’t hesitate to take a small plate of the special dessert.
The first bite melted on her tongue, a mix of warm spices and sweetness. She closed her eyes and groaned. “Okay, even if it’s unhealthy, it’s worth it.”
Shiloh beamed at her.
Fern bumped Zee’s shoulder lightly. “You only have a few days before the real work begins at the training facility. Better take advantage.”
Zee smiled at her new friend, her heart full. This wasn’t just temporary. This was hers now too.
Church slid his arm around her, drawing her against his side as he chatted with Gabe and Crew about the training schedules and supply runs. Soon their world would shift and the facility would be up and running full speed.
“Two days.” Gabe looked at Church. “Ready for the first class?”
“Final checks tomorrow, but we’re solid.”
Zee didn’t detect any stress in the muscled frame of his body, but she felt a subtle change in him.
When Gabe jogged off to talk to one of the vets, Zee caught Church’s gaze. “You nervous?”
“A little.”
“That’s what makes you a great commander. You are humble enough to know what’s at stake.”
He held her gaze for several heartbeats. “Humble enough to know what I have right here.” He flexed his arms around her and kissed her softly.
Laughter broke through their moment as Decker made a comment that had Willow swatting his arm. Navy darted past them with a piece of cornbread in hand, Pope calling after her in mock protest.
The energy closed around Zee like the land itself had decided to bind them all in this special place.
