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“So it’s over?” Eva asked.
“It’s over,” Aiden agreed. “Paul’s on his way to retrieve you both. Miles, you can finish your long weekend in my beautiful home. Eva, I am having my people install better security for you. I’d recommend you hire some of my guards, or move to a gated community with guards, but I can’t force you to do that.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“That’s all we can ask. It’s been a pleasure, Eva. Grateful we could be of service.”
“Thank you,” she said. “Please bill me.”
Aiden chuckled. “I’m sure some of my people will take payment, but I don’t know about Lieutenant Coleville. You two will have to figure things out. Talk soon.” He hung up.
Eva straightened away from Miles and hurried back into the door of her room. She turned to face him. Miles thought that was the opposite of Aiden’s advice to ‘figure things out’.
“Well, that’s wonderful. It’s over.” She had a bright, fake smile on her face.
Why those words were a punch to the gut Miles wasn’t certain. She meant the hits on the web, the Agent Henderson and Jorge Augilar mess being over. He was sixty percent certain that was what she meant.
“I’ll go get ready to fly home.”
She shut the door before he could ask if he could extend the conversation—see how she was feeling about her situation, see how she was feeling about the two of them. At the moment, there wasn’t a them.
Miles felt his shoulders round as he hurried to throw his stuff into his duffel bag and then waited for her to come out. He waited and waited. Far too much time to stew about everything. Eva was safe. That was most important. They were a mess and most likely he had no hope of a future with her. That was horrific.
Finally, the door opened. She didn’t look at him. Her eyes were red-rimmed. She was wearing a white T-shirt and pink joggers.
She lifted the suitcase from Autumn out of the room. Miles hurried to take it from her.
“Thank you.” She brushed past him.
“Eva, please,” he said to her back.
She paused but didn’t look back.
“Can we talk about this?”
“I’m sure we’ll have too much time to talk on the plane.” She still didn’t look at him as she hurried downstairs.
Miles hefted his duffel bag and followed, leaving her suitcase and his bag by the front door. They ate breakfast with the family. Eva chatted brightly with everyone, said her thank yous and her goodbyes. Mama hugged her tightly and Miles heard a murmured, “Give my boy a chance.”
Eva stiffened and pulled back. “Thank you, Mama. I hope to see all of you again. If you’re ever in California, please let me know.” She turned and strode out of the kitchen.
Miles gave Mama a helpless shrug, grateful she’d tried, but nothing seemed to be getting through to Eva. He’d seen firsthand how brave and resilient she was. Now she was using those skills, and her acting expertise, to shut him out.
Walker drove them to Kalispell and the airport. Eva drew Walker out about roping, even though Miles could’ve sworn they’d already had this conversation. She told Walker about her dad’s ranch and her two sisters, teasing that Walker should go meet her next-younger sister.
Miles stewed about how to convince her she was his perfect fit and see if she returned the feeling. He wanted the chance to talk for hours about everything and nothing.
They’d talk on the plane. He clung to that. Because if he didn’t somehow talk this through with her on the plane, he might never see her again. He’d always planned on his future being his military career. Without Eva, he felt like his future was gaping and empty.
Paul swooped down on an Airbus a few minutes after they got to the airport. How many jets did Aiden own? The man was such an enigma and yet made Miles feel like he was his close friend.
It was good to see the tall pilot. Eva gave Walker a hug goodbye and thanked him, then walked over to the jet. Paul lifted a hand to Walker and followed.
“Good luck, bro,” Walker said.
“I’m afraid I’m gonna need it.” He shook his brother’s hand, clapping him on the shoulder. “Good luck to you. Are you going after Lily?”
“I intend to.” He tilted down his hat, hiding his expression. “We’ll see how it goes. Might be awkward trading one Coleville for another. She’ll need some time for sure.”
