Page 99 of One Kind Soul

He lifted his head to look at her. “But Nicole still needs rescuing.”

Tessa opened her mouth to say something, her gaze focused back on the contents of the pot, but his phone rang from the living room.

With a strength he didn’t have a moment ago, Christian bolted off the stool—making Remi bark in hopes of a chasing game—and vaulted over the couch to get his phone. When he picked it up, he nearly cried when he saw Nicole’s name on the screen.

“Nixen! Oh my God! Tell me you’re okay! Tell me!”

“Did you miss me, Chrissy?” The laugh in her voice instantly put him at ease.

“Like crazy! You’re all right?”

“I’m all right.”

He sifted out a long breath.

“In fact,” she continued, “I’m so all right that . . .”

Christian whipped around when Donovan’s front door creaked open and Nicole stood in the foyer. He dropped his phone and ran over to her. Picking her up, he squeezed her close and spun them around, while Remi circled around them, his whipping tail shedding white fur all over the place.

Then Christian’s mouth was on Nicole’s. He kissed her as if his survival was in jeopardy. Quite possibly it was.

Nicole kissed him right back, her arms around his neck and clinging on as if she never intended to let him go.

Fine by me.

When they had to come up for air, he took a step back. “How are you here? What happened? Why didn’t Donovan call and update us?”

Tessa rounded the kitchen island, drew her best friend into a tight hug, then said, “It’s possible he did call and updated me.”

“What? You said there wasn’t any news!” Christian put his hands on his hips.

Tessa smiled a little, petting Remi to settle the pup. “Actually, I shrugged which is noncommittal and I said I don’t know about whether or not Mr. Travers’s call helped, which is true. Donovan called to tell me Nicole was safe. I had no other details.” She gestured to Nicole. “Then she texted to say not to tell you anything yet.”

Christian turned to face Nicole again. “So I should be mad at you then?”

“Mad? Are you going to waste time being mad at me now that I’m here?” She leaned against him and of course, his traitorous arms had to wrap around her. “I wanted to surprise you. How much would it have sucked to know I was safe and then have to wait several hours before you could see me?”

He growled. “I hate that you have a point.” He dropped a kiss on her nose. “But I love that you’re here now.” He squeezed his arms tighter, bringing her in close. “So it’s really over?”

“Yup. Lynda is caught. We can even go back to the farm.” She stepped back and raised her eyebrows.

He read her loud and clear. “Tessa, thanks so much for your hospitality, though you kinda lied to me.”

She swatted his arm. “I did not lie to you. I withheld information in the name of surprising you. That’s totally honorable.” She grabbed the bag Landon and Aliza had packed for him that she had apparently set near the door. “All your stuff is here. Now get out because what I was stirring in that pot is only enough for Donovan and me.”

“I can never trust you again.” Christian took the bag from her. “She looks so honest.”

“She is.” Nicole gave Tessa another hug that lasted a few extra seconds. “She’s honest and a whole bunch of other wonderful things that make her the bestest best friend.”

“I’m glad you’re safe, bestie,” Tessa said. “Call me tomorrow.”

“I will. I have a ton of things to tell you.”

Christian gave Tessa a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “Thanks for keeping me from losing it.”

“That’s what family does.”

He squeezed her hand then opened the front door. “Let’s go home, Nixen.”