“We are indeed.” Russ’s patrol car was parked outside the lodge, and Megan’s calm evaporated.
“Why’s Russ here?” she asked Jack.
He glanced in the rearview mirror. “He just came by to make sure the house was secure.”
“What’s secure mean, Mommy?” Ella asked.
Megan turned to Ella. “Nothing for you to worry about, sweetie.”
Jack killed the engine and slid out.
Russ joined him. “Everything’s clear.”
Jack shook Russ’s hand. “Appreciate your taking the time to check it out for us since the rest of my team is tied up at the hospital.”
“I’ll hang out until Reid gets home, but then I need to take off.” Russ tipped his hat at Megan, then strode to his car and leaned against the hood. At first glance, he appeared relaxed but his sharp gaze constantly moved.
Megan unbuckled Ella. She hopped down, and Megan couldn’t stop thoughts of how Reid always offered to carry Ella inside. Jack opened her door, but he wouldn’t offer something as personal as carrying her daughter.
“It’s getting colder.” Jack held out his hand for them to precede him up the stairs. “They say it might even snow.”
“Snow!” Ella danced.
“Not today, Ella,” Megan said so her daughter didn’t linger outside to wait for it.
They entered the lodge, and the place had an empty feeling. No meal cooking in the kitchen. No fire in the fireplace like yesterday. No warm welcome from Sydney, Jessie, and Bandit. And especially, no Reid standing tall and filling the room with his rugged presence.
Despite being equally tall and broad-shouldered, Jack didn’t seem to be as imposing as Reid. He probably was as commanding, but she’d put Reid on a pedestal from his help all those years ago.
Ella tugged on Megan’s hand. “Can I take my jacket off now?”
“Sure.” Megan helped her shed her coat, then hung it along with her jacket on a hook at the door.
Ella yawned, and Megan turned to Jack. “I’d like to take Ella upstairs for more of a nap than she got in the car.”
“Go ahead,” Jack answered.
Megan escorted Ella to the bedroom they’d shared last night and settled her into the bed.
“Do you think Mr. Reid likes us?” Ella asked.
“Why do you ask?”
Ella reached for Boo-Boo sitting on the pillow. “I wondered why he didn’t want to come here with us today.”
“It’s not that he didn’t want to. He had some business to take care of.”
“But he’s coming later?”
“Absolutely.”
“Good. I like him.” Ella clutched Boo-Boo and snuggled into the blanket. “I wish Jessie and Bandit could come too.”
Megan didn’t comment but rubbed Ella’s back to help her fall asleep. Ella was getting close to Reid, and Megan didn’t like that. Not one bit. But she had to admit to falling under his spell too. Something she both hated and relished.
Talk about being wishy-washy.
Ella shifted in the bed. It was as if her daughter knew Megan shouldn’t be thinking of Reid like this and moved to warn her that he would break her heart.
