Page 85 of SEAL of Valor

“You know, we could sneak you out of town with your mom, Garrison’s family, Tessa, Anastasia, and Momma Knox.”

“Not a chance.”

“Reese—”

“Who will help you with the animals?”

“I can hire someone to help.” It’s the same argument we had at dinner when Zane let me know that Bradyn Hunt was sending a private plane to pick everyone up and take them back to the Hunt Family Ranch in Pine Creek, Texas. There, they’ll be safe from Brenda for as long as we need them to be.

No one went without a fight, but Reese has straight-up refused. The only reason Anastasia and Tessa agreed was to help Katelyn with the new baby. Vivian is only going because Reese begged her.

My chest constricts, the ache spreading until I finally rub the heel of my palm against it. We’re sending our families away because war has come to Stormwatch Landing. And we’re not sure we’ll survive it.

“I’m not going, Weston.”

“Brenda won’t stop until we put her down.” I turn toward her. “You understand what that means, right?”

She nods.

“War is coming our way. And I will do whatever is necessary to keep her from hurting anyone.”

She reaches down and takes my hand, threading her fingers through mine. “I know.”

Closing my eyes, I sink into the feeling of her. The love in my heart for this woman. The depth of feelings I never expected to let out of the box I caged them in when I lost her.

“Will you hold me?”

I open my eyes and nod.

She releases me and stands, walking around to the other side of the bed and slipping beneath the covers.

“Come on, boy.” I pat the covers when Aragorn stares at me expectantly. He doesn’t wait for a second invitation before jumping up and curling near her feet. With the door open, I climb on top of the covers and lie back. Reese curls up against my side, her head on my chest, while Aragorn inches closer.

“Can I ask you something?” she whispers.

“Anything.”

“Can we stay like this forever?”

Chuckling softly, I press a kiss to the top of her head. “Forever and always.”

Chapter 25

Reese

“You sure you won’t come with us?” Tessa asks as she pulls me in for a hug.

We’ve all gathered in the living room of my mother’s farmhouse before each of the guys takes a different vehicle and drives a different route to the private airport where a plane will be meeting them.

According to what Weston told me this morning, the Hunts are all former military and now run a search and rescue team from their family ranch. The eldest brother will be coming along on the plane to meet them, and the others will be waiting when the plane lands to make sure they safely make it to the ranch.

“I need to be here.” I glance over at Weston. Seeing his struggle last night to even look at himself in the mirror solidified that. Despite everything we’ve been through in the past few days, I can see a bit of his light returning, and I genuinely worry that, if I leave…that light will go, too.

Not that I am arrogant enough to think I’m the cause, but I can hope that reminding him of who he used to be helps. At least a little.

“Just be safe, okay?” Tessa hugs me again, then crosses back toward Zane. Every man here is tense. I can see the pain on their faces as they cling to their loved ones. Garrison is holding his baby while he stands beside his wife. Their teenage son, Thomas, is on his other side, his complexion pale, eyes wide and worried.

Sawyer and Anastasia haven’t let go of each other since they walked in, and Zane’s mother, Linda, is in deep conversation with my mom and the mother of our ranch hand, Kyle Harding, who is here with his sister.