Page 24 of Unplanned Target

“Not freezing to death.” I wrap her up. “I’ve slept in way less comfortable places than this.”

Miranda’s lips press into a frown. “You must be very committed to your career.”

I watch her face as I offer the tiniest bit of insight into my life before Alaskan Security. “Didn’t say it was for my career.”

Miranda stares at me in confusion for a second, before something else moves across her face. Something I haven’t had directed my way in a long time.

Pity.

“Don’t feel bad for me.” I reach out, brushing the back of my fingers along her cheek. “It wasn’t as bad as you’re thinking.”

It wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t worthy of pity.

Her full lips curve into a frown. “It sounds as bad as I’m thinking.”

I wish I knew explaining would make her feel better, but I’m not sure it will. I don’t know if Miranda will understand it was possible to be a happy, loved kid, while also being hungry and never having shoes that fit quite right.

I pull my hand from her skin, but instead of keeping it to myself, I end up sliding my fingers into the tousled waves of her dark hair. “Even if it was, that was a long time ago. I’ve been sleeping in warm, comfortable beds for years now.”

She angles a brow. “Not last night.”

I match her expression. “Neither did you.”

Miranda gives me a poke with one finger. “Yeah, but the shitty part of my childhood didn’t involve not having anywhere to sleep.”

“Doesn’t mean it was any easier to deal with.” Were things tough for me as a kid? Sure. But I grew up being loved and appreciated and encouraged. I never went without the important shit.

Miranda huffs out a laugh. “A mother who thinks you’re a total pain in the ass is hardly comparable to sleeping on the floor.”

“It’s not the same thing, you’re right.” I think it’s probably worse, but I’m not going to mention that right now. I’ve got a more important point to make. “But it does explain why you worry so much about your relationship with Allie.”

Miranda’s lips press inward and I know I’ve struck a nerve. I’m not trying to overstep, but I don’t want her feeling sorry for me. I don’t want her to see me as someone to pity. I want her to see me as someone capable of handling all she is.

“I just never want her to feel the way I did.” She takes a deep breath, blowing it back out. “I want her to know she’ll never be alone and that I’ll always⁠—”

The sound of rustling comes from the other side of the bedroom door and I yank my hand away from Miranda, not wanting Allie to get any wrong ideas about what’s going on between us.

I’ve got enough of them myself.

NINE

MIRANDA

I don’t like thinking about Owen sleeping places worse than a cold, dusty wood floor in an isolated cabin. I definitely don’t like thinking about him doing it as a child. Especially since I can easily envision a chubby, tow-haired little Owen with scraped knees and a lopsided grin. And imagining that little boy suffering fills me with rage.

Because in spite of how he looks and what his career choice probably indicates, it’s becoming more and more clear Owen is a total sweetheart. A total sweetheart who kills people, but still.

He’s beyond kind to me and my daughter, and that’s honestly all I care about.

“Come on, mama.” Owen pushes up from the floor, before holding a hand out to me. “Let’s start figuring out where we go from here.”

I understand what he’s technically saying. We need to figure out what we’re going to eat. Where we’re going to go. How we’re going to get there.

But every second I spend with Owen gives me more and more to wrap my brain around. Things I haven’t considered in years. And honestly, that might be a little more of an issue than armed men staking out my neighborhood and forcing us into a high-speed car chase.

I stare at Owen’s offered hand, astonished at how eager I am to take it. Not because I need help off the floor—though I probably do because running for my life has left my muscles exceptionally sore—but because I want to touch him.

Even more problematic, I want him to touch me. Preferably like he accidentally did when tucking the blanket around my shoulders.