Page 97 of SEAL of Valor

I look over at Weston, surprised to see him watching me from beside the feeding ring while the cows all tear the fresh hay out. “Yeah, sorry. Lost in my thoughts.”

“I could always tell.” He grins and crosses over to me.

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah. You get this little crease between your eyebrows.” He points to his own forehead. “It’s adorable.”

With a grin of my own, I cock my head to the side. “So you’re saying I’m adorable.”

“You’re gorgeous,” he counters. “But there is definitely an adorable streak there, too.”

My stomach flutters, heat spreading through me at his candid adoration. Weston was never afraid to tell me he thought I was pretty, but something about the way he says it now…whew.

“Careful, Cowboy, I think you’re starting to show your feelings.”

He climbs into the passenger side of the side-by-side. “Guess it’s a good thing I’m not trying to hide them.”

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy. I am in trouble here. I clear my throat. “Where to, boss?”

“The south barn. I want to check in on the retirees.”

“Retirees?”

“Horses who have been retired from ranch life.”

“Ahh, got it. Horse retirement resort coming right up.” I start to lean forward to start the engine, but his phone rings, and the piercing tone has me pausing.

“Hayes,” he answers. I can’t tell who it is or hear even a whisper of the words being spoken on the other end of the call, but Weston’s gaze darkens, and he glances over at me. “We’re on our way.”

I park beside a black SUV with heavily tinted windows. My heart hammers against my ribs, especially when I see the armed men in black suits standing on my front porch, their gazes shielded behind dark glasses.

“I thought this was just in the movies,” I whisper to Weston.

“Unfortunately not.” Weston’s hand on my lower back as we climb the steps is the only thing that keeps me moving forward.

Who are these men?

Why are they here?

Is it Brenda? Has she found us?

But even as I think that last thought, I shove it aside. If she were here, there’s absolutely zero chance Weston would be bringing me along. He would have left me with the cows and come himself.

One of the men wordlessly opens the door so we can go inside. Keeping my gaze trained on the floor, I move into my mother’s home.

Just inside, Zane, Sawyer, Garrison, and Ryker are all already waiting. Which is surprising since Sawyer and Garrison had gone to town to run Anastasia’s coffee shop in her absence.

We move further inside, and two more men come into view.

One has a clear earpiece like the men outside, though he’s not wearing dark glasses to shield a steely gaze.

The other man is also dressed in a black suit, though he’s not wearing an earpiece. When he sees us, his expression shifts, and he offers me a smile. I see right through the fake expression, though. Whatever this is—it’s not a happy visit.

“Miss Faye, it’s nice to officially meet you.” He reaches out his hand, but Weston steps forward and blocks me from taking it.

“Cut the pleasantries. Who are you, and why are you here?” he demands.

The man drops his hand. “Agent Preston Jones. I work for Richard Caldwell.”