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Knowing getting up from the snow wouldn’t be fun, but wanting to do it anyway, Tessa slowly lowered herself to the ground and laid back. Jetson enjoyed the new game and bounced all around her, licking her face.
When she started moving her arms and legs in the traditional snow angel dance, Jetson bounced higher, trying to get between her arms and legs. Laughter bubbled out of her and it felt too good to try to stop.
“One of my favorite sounds in the universe.” Flynn’s soft voice warmed her as well.
Jetson ran off to greet him and soon the two of them were beside her. She kept her arms and legs moving in the pattern when Flynn appeared to grin down at her. “Snow angels?”
She smiled back. “I’ve never made one before. Seemed like the thing to do.”
He grinned and sat down in the snow beside her. Then he followed her lead and made his own snow angel.
She reached for his hand and for a few moments, they simply moved their limbs in sync and enjoyed the peace of the morning and the silly dog running around them and having a great time.
Flynn broke the silence. “I’m sorry I upset you.”
Tessa huffed out a breath. “I know. And I know you weren’t trying to. I get it. I know I’m a liability in so many ways.”
In a flurry, Flynn was sitting up and looking down into her face. “You’re in no way a liability. You’re incredibly smart, endlessly kind and thoughtful. Gorgeous too, but that’s not the point.”
But it made her smile.
His gloved hand brushed snow off her nose and skimmed over her lips. “I want desperately to keep you safe, Tessa. Nothing is more important to me. Nothing. I don’t know how to do my job and protect you at the same time.”
“I’ve been protecting myself for a long time.” When he frowned, she reached up and took his hand. “It’s amazing to have you worried. To have you thinking about me. I’m used to being alone. It’s taking me some time to adjust.”
His grin reappeared. “I’ll try to curb my caveman tendencies, but you’re important, Tessa. I don’t want you in any danger.”
Jetson barked, annoyed that they’d stopped the snow angel game.
They both ignored the dog as Flynn reached down to kiss her lightly. He sat back and looked at her seriously. “We’ll figure it out together, Tessa. With the help of our team. We’ll put a plan in place that everyone can live with.”
She nodded while Jetson continued to bark. “Could you call your boss from inside the Midnight Security cabin with Tansy’s protection stuff in place? Or does it work that way? I haven’t asked. That way, we could get her input before making any final decisions. If we know she can’t help, we won’t waste time getting to Houston.”
Flynn nodded then Jetson moved between them and barked again. She was about to shove him playfully away when the dog’s stiff body language registered. “What’s wrong, boy? Is something wrong?”
Flynn jumped up instantly and looked around while Tessa started to move. The cold had leached into her body and her movements were slow and awkward.
Jetson continued to bark, but she couldn’t see anything he might be barking at. Then the mechanical hum registered. “Do you hear that? Jetson, quiet.”
Flynn froze as well and they both looked around for the source of the hum.
She’d managed to sit, but she couldn’t identify anything moving around them. “What is it?”
Jetson barked again and then howled up to the sky.
And she saw it. A drone hovered over them. With the way the dog was reacting, not one of Tansy’s.
Flynn swore as his phone rang. When he thumbed it open, Sam’s voice rang out. “Drone. Get inside. Don’t look up. Move but be casual.”
Tessa realized if someone had been looking for confirmation she was at Midnight Lake, the snow angels had given them a perfect way to capture her face.
She started to push to her feet, but Flynn scooped her up and kissed her even while he moved to the lodge, the dog at their feet.
Horror and terror kept her from protesting Flynn’s actions. Her carelessness had cost them all. Not only had she allowed herself to be identified, but she’d painted a giant target on Midnight Lake.
Flynn set a shaking Tessa on her feet as soon as they were inside. He didn’t bother taking off his boots before he hollered. “Team meeting. Now.”
Then he moved to the main room and to the side of the window. He couldn’t see the drone from where he stood, but it was there. And it had more than enough opportunity to capture Tessa’s image.
