Page 79 of The One Who Never Left: Colter

“That’s good,” Sutton said, but she still didn’t cross the threshold, as if entering fully would only deepen whatever this thing was that was transpiring between them.

Colter’s gaze flicked to her face. “You look exhausted.”

“I’m fine.”

He didn’t buy it. “You should take a nap. Curl up with her for a bit.”

“I just need another cup of coffee.”

His brow creased. “You’re going to get sick.”

“Nope. I’ve got a mother-fortified immune system. It blocks germs, viruses, and most forms of exhaustion-induced stupidity.”

He was about to argue his case when Lynlee opened her eyes. “I wants Sir Neighs A Lot.”

Colter reached into the blue bag and pulled out the stuffed horse, making it prance and gallop its way up her blanket with an exaggerated clip-clop.

“Sir Neighs A Lot, reporting for duty,” he murmured, marching it right up her tummy until Lynlee squealed and wrapped her arms around it.

Colter smiled and brushed a stray lock of hair from her forehead. “I’ve got you, princess.”

“Thanks, Colter,” Lynlee said, her words coming out stuffy.

“You bet.” He tucked the blanket tightly around her like a burrito. He looked up to find Sutton, still leaning against the door jamb, watching him.

“You’re really good with her,” she said quietly, a little awe in her voice.

Colter gave her a small shrug, avoiding eye contact, though his fingers lingered on Lynlee’s arm as if he couldn’t quite let go.

“She’s easy to like,” he said. “Plus, you’re the one who knows what you’re doing too. You keep her safe and comfortable. I just make sure she doesn’t turn into an ice cube.”

Sutton chuckled, tension easing from her shoulders for the first time since she arrived. She took another sip of coffee, closing her eyes in sheer bliss and he was afraid, if she didn’t open her eyes soon, she’d fall asleep while standing.

He walked over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Sutton?”

Her eyes flew open. “What?”

He just absorbed the soft angles of her face, the sleepy eyes and slightly parted lips and his heart turned over. He skated his hand down her arm to take her hand in his. His pinkie barely brushed hers and then he backed up.

“I don’t know how you juggle it all,” he said.

“Nearly five years of practice.” She shrugged like it was no big deal. “You just get used to the crazy.”

Lynlee let out a soft whine, and Colter walked over and shifted slightly, pulling the blanket higher around her shoulders.

“You okay, princess?” he asked gently. “We’ll get you feeling better soon. Just a little patience.”

He adjusted the blanket around Lynlee one more time, then straightened, glancing at Sutton.

“I’m not sure how to be a mom and your vet tech.” She ran a frustrated hand through her hair. She looked at her daughter then him. “Maybe I should have stayed home.”

“You can go home or stay here. Your choice. But know that Irma can watch her if you can help me with a ferret in room three.”

She gave a small, tired smile that hit him square in the chest—a pulse-quickening ache that had only intensified since that damn kiss.

CHAPTER 29

It was past midnight, the house silent except for the hum of the air conditioner and the occasional drip from a faucet.