Page 94 of The Best Thing He Never Wanted

“No, Blane, I don’t.”

He studied her for a moment before giving a small nod. “Okay, then. I’ll take your word for it.”

Something about that landed much deeper than she expected. Simon would have found a way to explain the situation to her. He would have told her what had probably happened, why she was worrying unnecessarily, and what made the most sense. Blane had asked what she thought, listened to her answer, and accepted it.

It shouldn’t have felt extraordinary to have her word be enough, but somehow it did.

Chapter Seventeen

Blane woke with a start, his arm reaching instinctively for Bea. She was there—she was safe. He’d disturbed her, but all she did was give him a sleepy smile before snuggling closer against his side and drifting off again. It was still early. There was light coming in around the curtains, but the sun wasn’t up yet.

He lay there for a few minutes, trying to get back to sleep, but it wasn’t going to happen. Eventually, he pressed a gentle kiss to Bea’s temple before sliding out of bed, pulling on his jeans, and picking up his phone from the nightstand.

He could go downstairs and make coffee but if he did that, he’d miss the sunrise, so instead he quietly opened the doors onto the balcony and went to sit on the stone bench. As he settled against the cushions, it occurred to him that he should get some like these for the bench he’d bought Bea from the garden center. He’d found the right spot for it, but it hadn’t occurred to him until now that she’d be more comfortable if she had cushions too.

Maybe she’d want to go to the market in the village today. She’d talked about it often enough. Apparently, the Friday market was a big thing, and from what she’d told him, it wasn’t just produce and clothes. There were stalls selling all kinds of stuff. Maybe that would stretch to cushions, and even if it didn’t, he’d enjoy going—it was fun to watch her shop.

He unlocked his phone, and his heart sank a little when he saw a message from Cash. Not because he didn’t want to hear from him, but because he’d kind of been burying his head in the sand. The days here were ticking by, and he wanted to make the most of every one of them, but that didn’t mean he could neglect his life back home. Cash, the company, his job—they were all still there waiting for him.

Cash: Hope you’re having fun, bud. Didn’t want to call. Figured you probably don’t need to hear from me yet, but I wanted to remind you all the teams are coming in after you get back. Let me know if that’s going to be a problem.

Cash: Only other thing on the horizon is I just signed us a couple contracts. Whichever team we send is going to need some specialized training. No hurry. Client has regular jobs for us through the rest of this year, but next year we’ll be sending guys into different terrain.

Blane scowled as he read. Cash didn’t tend to use terrain as a vague description. When he said it, he meant it literally—desert, mountains, jungle, whatever the hell the job required. He checked the time. It was early enough here that it wouldn’t be too late at night in Montana, so he tapped out a reply.

Blane: Yeah, no worries. I know when I’m needed back. What kind of terrain are we talking about?

Cash replied almost immediately.

Cash: Hostile. 😂

Blane: No shit. Tell me more.

Cash: Scrubland. Mountains. Dry country.

Blane: Montana works.

Cash: Yeah, you’d think. But training’ll be in winter. Snow won’t help us for this one.

Blane: Sierra Vista?

He frowned at his phone while he waited. It should be an easy yes or no. He’d taken teams down to the area southeast of Tucson before. He had contacts at Fort Huachuca, and there was plenty of decent land around there—desert, scrubby mountains. From what Cash had told him, it sounded as though it’d fit the bill.

Cash: Might not work this time, bud. We may have to get creative.

Another message appeared almost immediately.

Cash: Didn’t expect to hear from you yet. You’re up early. Everything all right?

Blane stared at the screen, wondering how much he should admit.

Blane: Everything’s great.

He clenched his jaw, expecting a barrage of questions.

Cash: Glad to hear it. About time you started enjoying life. You talk to Brooke again yet?

Blane: Gonna call her today. Tomorrow to you.