Page 53 of Peaks and Promises

“I need to talk to you about something. Reese and I are thinking we’ll be safer if we pretend that the three of us are a family. If Axel and his club keep searching, they’ll be looking for a mom and her son, not a family of three.”

“So, like, you and Reese are gonna get married?”

“Oh, no. We’ll pretend to be married. Just until we know we’re safe. Does that make sense?”

“Why don’t you just get married for real?”

The corners of her mouth lifted in a subtle smile. “It’s not that simple.”

“Why not?”

“Because that’s not how it works.”

His eyebrows drew in, like he was confused. “But we’ll be lying.”

She sighed. “I know it seems like that. Don’t think of it as lying. Think of it as pretending for a good reason. It’s like we’re going into hiding.”

“So I’m going to pretend you’re my parents?”

She nodded. “We can say Reese is your stepdad if that makes you more comfortable.”

My eyes flicked to Nate in the rearview. His expression was pensive, like he was really pondering what this would mean.

“And he’ll live with us?” he asked.

“Yes, exactly. We’ll all live together, like a family.”

The way his eyes lit up tightened my chest again.

“Reese has family in Tilikum, and we’re going to tell them the truth,” she continued. “They’ll know about Axel and the club and why we’re hiding. But to everyone else, we need to pretend. Do you think you can do that?”

He nodded emphatically. “Yes.”

“And we’re going to say your last name is Haven.”

“Nate Haven.” His smile grew. “I like that.”

She laughed. “Good. Let’s practice. Hi, I’m Summer. What’s your name?”

“I’m Nathaniel Haven.”

“Oh, your full name,” she said. “Do you want to start going by Nathaniel?”

He shrugged. “Nate’s fine. It’s easier to say. If you guys have more kids, do I still get my own room?”

I swallowed a laugh and looked toward the driver’s-side window so Nate wouldn’t see my expression in the mirror.

“Buddy,” she said. “We’re not really married. We aren’t having kids together.”

“I’m just asking in case you do. I don’t want to share my room with a baby. Especially if it’s a girl.”

She turned forward in her seat and shook her head. “I have no idea what to say to that.”

I met his eyes in the rearview. “You’ll have your own room no matter what, chief. How’s that?”

He smiled. “Okay.”

Summer laughed softly. I tried not to look at her. If I did, I’d get a glimpse of those mesmerizing eyes. Maybe start imagining a baby girl who looked just like her.