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For a fleeting moment, the world stopped. Her pain retreated and in that instant something unfamiliar coursed through her veins—a longing for connection with this man she’d only just met, for reassurance in this madness she called her life.
“Everything ok? Whoa. Did I interrupt something?” The voice was masculine. Similar to Caleb’s rich drawl, but different.
The sudden interruption shattered the tense atmosphere like a bullet. Grace froze, her arm still extended, sunlight glinting off the blade of her knife. Caleb’s grip on her forearm tightened, pulling her hand down as he disarmed her with practiced ease.
Turning, Grace met the gaze of a second man. Intimidating blue eyes studied her from under dirty blond hair the color of wet sand, too long at the back and brushing his collar. The man from the grocery store parking lot.
Her cheeks burned with embarrassment at being caught in such a compromising position. “I…I heard screams. I heard screams…”
Rapid footsteps broke the tension as a small girl, wielding a pink lightsaber, toddled into view. “Daddy. Unca Cale,” she chirped, waving the toy weapon enthusiastically.
“Hey, sweetie.” The man with the piercing blue eyes caught hold of the girl’s hand. The smile he shot Grace transformed his face with boyish charm. “Ellie has that effect on people. I’m sure she could shatter glass given half the chance.”
Grace pushed loose hair off her burning face, struggling to compose herself. What had she been thinking? How had she mistaken a toddler’s screams for something bigger and more dangerous?
“Grace. This is my brother, Ryder.” Caleb gestured.
“Um… Hi.” Grace offered a mortified wave.
“And this little pipsqueak is my niece, Ellie,” Caleb continued. “She’s the owner of the blood-curdling screams and has been happily trashing my cabin with her lightsaber.”
Ellie released her dad’s hand and rushed over to Caleb. She grabbed his leg and pushed her face into his trousers, her chubby fists clutching the fabric. “Up, Unca. Up.”
Caleb pocketed Grace’s knife, then scooped Ellie up into his arms and tickled her under the chin. She giggled and wriggled, balanced easily on one bicep.
Ryder grinned. “You’re a sly one, Caleb, giving me all the ‘I’m happy living life on my own’ crap.”
Caleb looked up. “What? No. I helped Grace when her car broke down in the middle of the night.”
Her breath hitched. Had he told Ryder about Alex and his men?
Ryder grinned, showing off perfect teeth. “Of course. You just helped the damsel in distress.”
Caleb shook his head but remained silent.
Grace swallowed the irrational pang of disappointment that surged through her at the dismissive way Caleb dismissed any notion of there being something between them. She caught sight of herself in the mirror opposite. She was a disheveled mess, still wearing the same clothes she’d been wearing last night, tearing through the forest. No wonder Caleb was so quick to clarify.
Caleb moved into the kitchen, Ellie still perched on his arm. “Grace? How does coffee sound?”
His sudden movement jolted her back to the present. She hugged her arms around herself, suddenly wishing she were anywhere but here. It might be lonely, but at least it wasn’t awkward. “That would be lovely, thanks.”
Caleb gestured toward the stool where she’d sat last night. He poured a mug of coffee and pushed it toward her. “Can Ryder look at your wrist?”
“Um…” Grace hesitated, feeling overwhelmed by the sudden influx of hospitality. The fewer people she had contact with, the better, and that was not the way this morning was panning out.
Ryder offered her his hand with a charming smile. “Hi. We haven’t properly met. My brother is such an ass. I’m a medic. Caleb said you hurt your wrist yesterday.”
“Yes…I fell on it.”
“Why don’t you sit down and let me look at that.” Ryder’s voice was gentle as he reached down and lifted an orange emergency case from beneath the counter. It was emblazoned with the Coast Guard shield she’d seen previously on Caleb’s shirt.
“You’re a Coast Guard too?”
“Uh, huh.” He held out his hands. “I promise my hands are warm.”
On the opposite side of the counter, Ellie was giggling as Caleb pretended to hunt for cookies. He opened one kitchen cabinet after another, while she shouted. “In the tin, Unca Cale, me like in da tin!”
“She’s lovely. How old is she?”
