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They were a team.

And she knew without him labeling the guys as such, that they were family, too.

“Hoss-”

Because Heath’s arm was around her, he felt Heath speak as much as she heard it in her ear.

“I’ll stay in the living room.” His voice was barely a whisper, but in the quiet room, she could hear his words clearly. “I’ll stay and make sure she’s okay.”

Heath turned, keeping her against him, brushing his lips against her temple. “Do you want to stay, too?”

Mari laid her head on his chest and leaned in against him.

She spoke, but it was to Hoss instead of the man holding her close.

“I’m Number Two on her speed dial.”

Hoss turned, still on one knee beside her bed.

She could see just the hint of his profile in the cool light of the moon that lit the pillow Reiko was lying on.

“I’ve got Buck on my speed dial, too.”

His words and the gentle set of his features eased the last bits of hesitation that she felt.

“Call if she needs us.” She worried her lower lip with her teeth.

Hoss nodded and turned back, lowering Reiko to her pillow. “I will.”

Heath drew her back and out of her friend’s bedroom. They walked down the hall, and Mari lifted her head to look at the scores of framed photos on the wall and a few paperclipped to a calendar hanging on the wall with the year 2016 printed in bold, red letters.

They left the house and Mari put her shoes back on, locking the door behind her. Heath took her hand and they walked down the steps together, headed home.

EIGHT

BUCK

As they climbed the handful of steps to Mari’s door, Buck took the opportunity to watch her carefully.

Every step put just a little sway in her hips.

That was expected, natural in fact, but on her?

That sway took his mind places.

Places that he hadn’t been in ages.

Mari paused at the top of the steps, her hand on the screen door handle. There was a single uncovered low-watt bulb lit outside the door, casting just enough light to make her look like she was cast in pure gold.

“I’m not… expecting anything tonight.” She drew in a breath, and he watched her shoulders rise and fall.

Damn.

He wasn’t either, but it sounded like she was open to it.

He just had to move.

Take a step in her direction.