Chapter Eighteen
Bree sat straight up in the bed, looking around.Something was wrong.
It was way too quiet, and the sun was high in the sky—probably midafternoon.When was the last time she’d woken up based on her body telling her it was time rather than because one of the twins needed something?
It took her a moment to get her bearings.She was in a giant king-size bed.
Tanner’sbed.
She had no idea how to process that, so she threw off the blanket and jumped down.She was still fully dressed, except for her shoes, which sat neatly by the door.She rushed into the living room but heard no sound of either child crying.
Beth could possibly go this long without fussing.But Christian?
The house wasn’t that big.She dashed into a room that seemed to be an office/library but found no signs of life.A blanket was dropped haphazardly on the sofa in the living room, but it was empty, as well were the back porch and large eat-in kitchen.
Panic truly struck at Bree.Where were the babies?How could she have justsleptlike this?
She’d worked herself into such a state that she almost missed them as she walked by the window and came to an abrupt halt, unable to believe her eyes.
Actually, she could.And that was the problem.
Tanner stood outside in the sunshine, a baby in each arm.He was bouncing them both gently, talking to them in words Bree couldn’t hear and showing them the horses in the corralled area in front of them.
Beth and Christian were too young to process anything they were seeing, which Tanner had to have known, but they were looking out at the animals like they were listening intently to whatever it was Tanner was telling them.
Bree’s heart gave a little flutter.
Then she realized Tanner was wearing a cowboy hat.One obviously well-worn and loved.
Then her heart gave a big flutter.
She had to remind herself that Michael Jeter and the Organization would scour the earth to find her if he knew she was alive.No ranch would save her, no matter how remote or what type of Special Forces soldier Tanner’s brother had been.
She could not think of this place—think of thisman—as permanent.Bree would only be here for a few days.
As soon as she opened the door, Tanner turned toward her and gave her a smile that stole her breath.
A few days.A few days.
“Morning.”His voice was husky, soft.“Well, afternoon, actually.”
“Hi,” she replied, taking Christian from him.
He half turned back toward the horses.“We were talking about all the animals’ names and how long they’ve lived here.”
“Thank you for letting me sleep.Have they been fed?”
“Yep, and are dry and happy.We were outside enjoying the sunshine and meeting the animals.”
Bree held her face up to the sun.When was the last time she’d just enjoyed being outside without worrying about being spotted by someone or accidentally captured on their cell phone?
Never, except for the rarest of occasions.
They walked around, Tanner pointing out different horses.A few minutes later, a large Labrador retriever came out of the tree line and began sniffing Bree.
“That’s Corfu.”
Bree reached down and rubbed the dog’s head affectionately.“Corfu?”
