Page 39 of Shadow

“Huck, huh?”

“Yeah. He’s ten and growing like a weed.”

Daphne wanted to ask about his dad—if he might be the guy Sierra had always harbored a crush on. And she could hardly not comment on the obvious. “When are you due?”

Sierra put a hand on her belly. “About six weeks. Not soon enough.” She laughed. “Last time I heard, you were in Seattle. What brings you back?” She pulled out a chair and sat across from Daphne, who also sat down.

“Work.” Daphne sipped her coffee.

“What kind of work?”

“Security consulting.”

She arched an eyebrow.

Daphne smiled.

Sierra’s mouth quirked. “Right. Classified. I get it. How long are you here for?”

Huck appeared with drinks balanced carefully and set them on the table. “Here, Mom.”

“Thanks, baby.” Sierra took her latte and sipped. “Perfect. Go grab one of those chocolate chip cookies.”

“Can I get two?”

“One. We’re eating dinner in an hour.”

He ran back to the counter.

Sierra watched him with love clear in every line of her face. Then she turned back to Daphne. “Security consulting in Renegade. Must be something big if you came all the way from Seattle.”

“Yep.”

Sierra smiled. “How long are you in town?”

“A month.”

“Where are you staying?”

“Hotel probably.”

“Stay at the ranch.”

“What?”

“Yeah. We have a guest room, and you can come and go whenever you want⁠—”

“Sierra—”

“I’m serious. It’s no trouble.” She pulled out her phone and started typing. “Let me text you the address⁠—”

“I can’t.”

Sierra looked up. “Why not?”

“I’m working.”

“And?”