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Angus smirks, shaking his head. “All good things, of course.”

She raises an eyebrow and grins, her brown eyes twinkling. “Mostly.”

I huff out a short laugh, and something in me eases a little.

A moment of quiet understanding passes between us before she gives me a small nod. Respect. Recognition.

Then, before I realize what’s happening, she steps forward and wraps her arms around me.

I freeze.

Not because it’s unwelcome but unexpected.

Her embrace is warm, steady, and full of gratitude I don’t know how to handle.

“Thank you,” she murmurs, voice soft but firm. “For bringing him home.”

I don’t know what to do with my hands. I can feel Angus watching, probably enjoying the hell out of my discomfort.

After a beat, I awkwardly pat her back. Then, with a sigh, I give in and hug her properly.

It’s brief, but it settles something deep in my chest.

Luna pulls back, smiling like she knows exactly how much she’s rattled me.

I clear my throat, shifting my weight. “Was just doing my job.”

Angus snorts. “That’s his way of saying ‘you’re welcome.’”

Luna chuckles. “I figured.”

I shake my head, sinking into the chair beside Angus. “I’m glad you’re okay, Luna. Angus told me about the barn fire.”

Her smile falters for a fraction of a second—long enough to glimpse the memory behind her eyes. Then she nods. “Yeah. It was close.”

Too close. I don’t need the details to know that. It’s in the way Angus looks at her like she’s a miracle. In the faint shadows still lingering beneath her eyes.

“He said it wasn’t an accident,” I say quietly.

“No,” Luna replies, voice level. “Someone meant to hurt us. Me.”

The weight of that sits between us for a moment, solid and cold.

“But they didn’t,” she adds, a spark lighting her gaze. “They failed. And we’re still here.”

Angus reaches out, lacing his fingers through hers, grounding her. Or maybe the other way around. I look away, giving them a moment.

A few beats later, Luna’s voice softens. “The new barn’s going up fast. We’re trying to finish it for the Veteran’s Day Fundraiser.”

I nod slowly. This woman is stronger than she looks. No wonder Angus married her.

“I’ll keep watch,” I say. “During the rebuild. During the fundraiser. You won’t have to look over your shoulder.”

Angus nods. “That’s why I called you.”

Luna’s smile is soft. “I don’t like the circumstances that brought you here, Beckett, but I’m glad you came.”

I glance at Angus, then back at her. “Me, too.”