Chauncey let out a low woof that said he wanted in on the fun.
Roan’s fingers lit along my sides, making me squeal so loud I probably woke the animals in the barn. His hand fell away, and he wiggled a finger in his ear. “Hell, you’re gonna break an eardrum.”
“Bad word, Mr. Grizz,” Cady chastised.
“Sorry, Tiny Dancer.”
I blew the hair out of my face and sat up. “You’re both traitors.”
Cady giggled again.
I tickled her sides, and she shrieked.
I grinned down at her. “Payback.”
“I’m gonna get you when you least expect it,” Cady shot back.
“Well, why don’t you pick out your outfit for the day first? I think you can do glitter boots today.”
That was all it took. Cady leapt from the bed and charged out of the bedroom.
Roan slipped his hand behind my neck, pulling me to him.
“Morning breath,” I warned.
“Don’t give a damn.”
My chest constricted as Roan’s mouth took mine in a slow kiss. As he pulled back, he rested his forehead against mine for a moment.
My fingers fisted in his tee. “I don’t want Cady to get confused.”
“Does she seem confused?”
I worried the inside of my cheek. “No. But she could be later when you’re not staying here anymore.”
Roan’s fingers tangled in my hair, and he tugged the strand back so I had to look at him. “I’m not going anywhere. You may not need someone with you twenty-four-seven, but I’m still going to be around. A whole hell of a lot.”
The corner of my mouth kicked up. “I’d like that.”
“Good,” Roan said with a grunt.
I pressed my lips together to keep from laughing. “Your sister figured out that, uh, something is going on between us.”
Figured out was an understatement. Grae was practically bouncing off the walls with glee.
Roan groaned. “Of course, she did. I’m never going to hear the end of it.”
My brows pinched in confusion.
“She was always trying to set me up with friends or telling me to get out there and date. I always said I didn’t want to. That I wasn’t built for it.”
I pressed a hand against the ridges of his abdominals. “What changed?”
“You,” Roan said.
I shoved at his chest. “You say you’re not good at the relationship thing, but I think you’re too good.”
Roan chuckled.
“I’ve got it picked out!” Cady yelled.
I swung my legs over the side of the bed. “Duty calls.”
I got to work getting Cady dressed and then myself. I would try to brave The Brew today. Lawson had promised to station an officer at the door to turn away any media. I had to try because if I couldn’t work, my little savings account would be depleted in no time.
Cady tugged me down the hall. “Something smells really yummy.”
My brow furrowed. It did smell delicious. I came to a stop just outside the kitchen. The table was set, and each place had some sort of amazing scramble, fruit, and toast.
“YUM!” Cady shouted, hopping over to her chair.
“You made breakfast,” I said, my nose stinging.
Roan shrugged. “You need more than sugary cereal to keep up your energy for the day.”
When was the last time someone had made me breakfast? It was probably Autumn. Tears gathered as I tried to shove them down.
Roan was in my space in a flash. “Hey. What’s wrong?”
I swallowed down the emotion clogging my throat. “No one has taken care of me in a long time.”
His expression softened as his hands cupped my face. “Tender Heart.”
“Thank you,” I whispered.
“I’d do anything for you.”
Everything burned in the best kind of way.
“Stop acting funny and eat,” Cady said around a mouthful of food. “It’s gonna get cold.”
That startled a laugh out of me, and I grinned. “She’s right. Can’t waste this amazing meal.”
And amazing it was. We stuffed ourselves silly as we laughed and talked. Roan insisted that he would be driving us to and from work and school. He’d cleared the part-time schedule with his boss. Apparently, he had so much vacation time he could leave the country for two months and still be fine.
As we made the drive into town, warmth spread through me. Having someone to do the little things with, like dropping Cady off, made everything just a little sweeter.
Roan turned into the school parking lot. “Ready to knock ‘em dead, Tiny Dancer?”
“Duh!” she shot back.
“That’s what I like to hear.” He pulled up in the drop-off line and hopped out. I followed, nerves pricking me. I was sure word about my real identity had made the rounds to a good chunk of the town by now.
I tried to focus on Cady as she told us all about her and Charlie’s plans for the day while Roan got her out of her booster seat.
Movement caught my attention, and I looked up. Katelyn flounced toward the school, tossing her blond hair over her shoulder and glaring in our direction.
It was a dumb move. Because if anyone could glare, it was Roan. His head lifted as if he sensed her look, and the stare he leveled on her would’ve made me piss my pants.
Katelyn tripped over her feet, quickly righting herself and hurrying inside.
I snorted. “At least I don’t have to listen to her anymore.”
Roan grunted and then crouched low. “I want you to stick close to Charlie today. If Heather or those other girls pick on you, just pretend you can’t hear them. It’ll drive them crazy.”
Cady smiled and threw her arms around Roan. “Thanks, Mr. Grizz.”
The urge to cry was fast and strong, but I forced it down. Cady released him, hugged me, and then ran for the school.
I looked up into Roan’s beautiful eyes. “You’re a good man. The best man I’ve ever known. Don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise.”
33
ROAN
Aspen’s words had echoed in my head all day. “You’re a good man. The best man I’ve ever known. Don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise.”
My throat worked as I swallowed, trying to clear the ache there. It was impossible because that ache was everywhere. A pain that only came from coming back to life.
How long had I kept it all turned off—every heightened emotion and feeling? It had helped keep out the bad, but also locked out the good. Until Aspen.
She’d changed everything before I’d even known her name. Those little glimmers of hope and light as I watched her from my cabin perch. As I saw her kindness play out in front of me.
I turned into the police station parking lot. It was more crowded than normal. There were a couple of county sheriff vehicles, Fish and Wildlife, and Forest Service. Seemed Lawson had called everyone in for a meeting of the minds.
I snagged a parking spot in the back corner and headed around front. As I opened the door, the officer behind the desk looked up. “They’re in the conference room.”
“Thanks,” I said with a nod.
The shock on his face was blatant. I cringed. How much of an ass had I been over the years that a simple thanks warranted a dropped jaw and wide eyes?