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Willow
Lock You Down
Ransom had barely gotten a butterfly bandage on me before the doorbell rang. I hopped down and followed him to the door.
“Chaos…”
I rolled my eyes and went back into the kitchen. If he needed to control the door, then I’d let him. I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen Ransom so scared and angry at the same time.
Then he tossed thatforeverword at me like a damn dart. I had not been ready for it. It had been mere days, for God’s sake.
Not nearly enough time for normal people to fall in love.
Then again, nothing in my life had been normal. From school to my career, I’d always been left of center. Why wouldn’t I fall in love with a grumpy soldier turned wood crafter in the same amount of time it took me to perfect a quiche recipe?
Made total sense.
Hmm. Though it was interesting that we both were creatives in our own right. Ransom just preferred to stay in the shadows, and I was always looking for the light.
Midnight’s nails scratched over the stairs and the kitchen floor as he flew into the room. The scruff of his neck stood up like spikes while he let out a series of menacing barks.
“Oh, hold on.” The dog practically shoved me over a step as he crowded against me, standing just in front of me.
Ransom turned with a surprised look.
“Good guard dog,” came the voice from the door.
“That was a new one.” Ransom held the door open.
Aidan Roth took up space like no one I’d ever known. Ransom was muscular and tall, but Aidan was a whole different kind of bulky.
He stepped inside and the two men shook hands. Aidan carried a rather large box as well as a messenger bag bulging with some kind of equipment.
Looked like my life was about to get another level of locked down.
“How you doing, Willow?”
I shrugged as I stroked Midnight’s coarse fur. “I can’t say I expected him to get that bold.”
“What happened?” Aidan set the box and bag on the island.
I gave him the specifics and then Ransom filled in the rest since I was freaking unconscious for some of it. Midnight seemed to notice my change in demeanor and he leaned harder against my leg.
I patted his massive neck and bent to give him a kiss on top of his head.
Aidan came forward. The dog was wary, but he’d stopped growling. The two males faced off and finally, Midnight’s tail wagged. A minute later, Aidan crouched down and the two became best buds.
Typical.
I glanced at Ransom. “Treats and toys are on the list this week, buddy.”
“We’re going out as little as possible.”
“Actually, I think going out and being seen is a good thing.” Aidan stood and opened up the box. “I brought some gear. I have more in my truck for the orchard. As long as we have permission, I’ll put some small cameras at the wedding venue, as well.”
“We have to tell them.” I stroked Midnight’s flank then moved to the island to peer into the box. “They need to know I brought this to the orchard.”
“You didn’t know this was going to happen.” Aidan opened the bag and pulled out a laptop. “We assumed he’d stick with the dark web. Coming out was a bold choice. But that also shows he’s being irrational.”
