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My heart lurched in my chest. “You’re just saying that.”
“I’m not.”
“How can you say something like that?”
He took my hand. “Because I mean it.”
Oh gods, he had meant it. The gentle tempo of his heartbeat indicated his feelings, alerting me where his fingertips drifted over my palm. Some part of me was distinctly aware of a child’s voice calling for us in the distance, but I couldn’t tap back into reality, too drawn into the way Adam observed me. Like I was precious.
Like I washis.
“Dad? Charlotte?”
I blinked rapidly. “Over here, kid.” I stepped out from the cart and beamed politely as he showed me a shiny red ball. “You want to play catch?”
“Yeah, can we play at the ranch? The other kids have to go home.”
I glanced furtively at Adam while he joined us. “That’s not a bad idea. We have to head back soon, anyway.”
“Oh, I should…” I bit my lower lip while looking between the two of them. My experience with the pouty face hadn’t been much in the past, but this was terrible. I had two wolves giving me that look, a tender expression that made me soften.
And then I shook my head. “I have to prepare the brunch for this afternoon.”
Henry deflated. “Oh…”
“But,” I added quickly. “I can come by on Tuesday. How about I bring my daggers?”
His face ignited. “Daggers?!”
Adam chuckled nervously. “Actually, he has been asking about weapons training and such.”
“I can teach him,” I offered. “Like I taught you.”
The sinister grin that appeared on Adam’s face made me hot with embarrassment.
Among other things.
“I can do a kid-friendly version,” I said pointedly. I turned to Henry. “I have blunt throwing knives that should be plenty easy for you.”
His fists shot in the air as he shouted, “Yes!” repeatedly.
I cackled. “Sounds like a plan, little man.”
“You have no idea how happy he’s about to be,” Adam said. He gently took my hand, adding, “And me, too.”
Don’t say that. Don’t let me like that.
But it was too late. His words infected my system like a virus, an awful sickness that would surely take me out at the knees if I let it. But I wanted to let it happen. I wanted to give in to every word he spoke as if it would save me.
Smiling took little effort as I squeezed his hand and replied, “That makes three of us.”
Chapter 7 - Adam
Five minutes. She’s going to be here in five fucking minutes and nothing is clean in here.
Frazzled and possibly too caffeinated to properly function, I raced across the cabin to make sure everything was in order for Charlotte’s visit. Henry trailed after me like an inquisitive puppy who was alarmed by my behavior. He had never seen me act like this.
Actually, I didn’t think anyone had.
