Page 45 of Promise

“She’s so good,” Dart says, his voice full of awe while he stares back at me.

I inhale Mirabelle, attempting to right my senses with her baby-fresh wash, but find she smells like him. From being pressed against that bare chest, near his heartbeat, held in his arms, and⁠—

A hard knock comes to my front door.

Both Dart’s and my eyes widen, startled out of the moment, and then sinking into the surprise of a visitor.

“Expecting someone?” Dart arches a brow.

“No.” My gaze remains on him. “Are you?” I have no idea who knows he’s here with me. Obviously, my mother and my friends, and the guys on his baseball team.

The other night, I received a text from Tate.

We need to talk.

Admittedly, Tate and I aren’t close. He’s always been a wild card in the family. But every once in a while, he’ll play protective older brother. Dart is one area of concern where Tate steps up. He knows how much I loved his best friend and how much it crushed me that Dart left. The thing about Tate is he’s loyal to the people he loves. That shovel joke Halle mentioned, Tate would do the same and not even blink.

Stepping away from Dart, I check the doorbell monitor I keep on the kitchen counter. Then, I glance back at Dart, wide-eyed and a bit panic-stricken.

“What?” he whispers, leaning toward me, with concern. His hands come to my bare arms, but I don’t have time to register the touch.

“Put a shirt on,” I whisper, a tremor in my voice, like the person outside the door can hear us, despite the wood barrier being yards away. “I’ll get the door.”

With Mirabelle in my arms, I brush past Dart and head for the front door, opening it to the social worker assigned to my adoption case. Stone Sylver, in his sheriff’s uniform, is beside her.

My heart plummets to the floor. I’ve had nightmares of them coming to reclaim Mirabelle, telling me there’s been a mistake, and her biological mother wants her back.

However, Cassidy Lane is smiling at me while Stone offers his own stoic smirk.

“Mornin’,” he greets me.

“Good morning. It’s early for a visit, Sheriff,” I tease, despite the tension in my shoulders. I hold Mirabelle even tighter, like they’re going to reach out and snatch her from me.

“Spot check,” Cassidy states, adding a warm smile. “And some news.”

The relief in those words doesn’t register just yet. My heart is racing too hard.

I step back, waving them both inside, when Dart suddenly appears wearing a white T-shirt that looks like sin on him.

Stone’s brows lift. His head turns from Dart to me and back. “Dart?”

“Hey.” Dart steps forward, offering a hand to Stone. Growing up, Stone’s brother Judd attended school with Dart, Tate, and the rest of the star gang, but Judd was never friends with them. He was quiet and reserved back then and hung mostly by himself.

I have a theory about why Tate and Judd never got along, but discussing our brothers is not the reason Stone and Cassidy are present.

“Can I get you anything? Water? Coffee?” I offer, leading them into the living room, attempting to keep my voice steady despite the quiver in my limbs.

As if knowing I need stability, Dart’s hand comes to my lower back. The heat of it seeps through my silky nightgown. I should probably have changed before I came downstairs. I should go change now, but I don’t want to relinquish Mirabelle. I’m afraid to let her go.

Dart gently nudges me forward as Cassidy takes a seat. Stone remains standing. His large presence doesn’t reassure me in the least.

“We won’t stay long.” Cassidy narrows her eyes at Dart when he sits beside me. His knee pressed against mine like a reminder that he’s here. He seems almost as stiff as I am.

“I wasn’t aware there was a man in your life,” Cassidy says, her voice still kind, but hesitant.

The statement is a question. An implication that the situation might be an issue. Dart isn’t vetted like I am. Background check on file. Education and experience to back up my good standing as a potential parent. I’ve been concerned I’d have to apply as a foster parent first before I could adopt Mirabelle. Previously, Cassidy assured me she didn’t think that would be necessary.

Dart glances at me before giving Cassidy a blinding smile. “I’m her husband.” His left hand comes to my thigh, showing off the silicone ring on his finger.