Page 82 of Love for a Lifetime

“What?”

“Get in the truck,” he whispered. Any joking she expected from him was completely gone, replaced by a stern warning.

“Dawson?” she whispered.

“Get in the truck, and close the door behind you. Now.” His attention was focused on something over her head.

Without hesitating, she got in the truck. She’d barely settled in before Dawson lunged across the back seat and grabbed her door, jerking it closed with a loud thud that filled the night.

Not even a second later, something hit the truck on her side, rocking the full frame. There was a high-pitched whine following her scream.

Dawson turned to his door and shut it, closing them in the dark cab. He reached for her instantly, wrapping her in his arms.

When the tightness eased from around her throat, she dared to ask, “What was that?”

Dawson took two full breaths before answering. “Wolves.”

21

DAWSON

Dawson could count on one hand the things he was afraid of, and tonight he’d tiptoed around two of the main ones.

First, being rejected by Olivia. Granted, he’d lived through a few minor ones–the kind that laughed off his attempt and promptly erased the moment from their history.

Then, he’d kissed her, and she hadn’t backed away. Instead, she’d met his moves match for match, searing a brand on his heart. It was a kiss to top all kisses. The relief was immediate and incredible. Totally worth the ten-year wait.

The second fear–and the most intense–was anything happening to Olivia or his family.

If the wolves were still out there, he couldn’t hear them over the roaring in his ears. He’d barely spotted the one behind her, and he’d almost dismissed it for a trick of the light.

Except the dim beam from his flashlight hadn’t lied. The dark-gray predator had locked in on Olivia with hunger in its eyes.

Olivia’s whole body shook in his arms as he tried and failed to comfort her. Maybe if he squeezed her hard enough, she’d forget about the brush with death.

No, neither of them would be forgetting anytime soon. The woman he loved enough to die for had almost been snatched from him by teeth and claws.

His chest rose and fell in deep waves, and if he let go of Olivia, he’d probably be shaking too.

Releasing Olivia from the rib-crushing hug wasn’t happening anytime soon. Not until he could get that image of the wolf stalking her out of his head.

“Dawson?”

His name on her lips cracked just like his heart. Man, this woman had the ability to cut him open and lay his deepest, darkest secrets out for everyone to see.

“You’re safe. I promise.”

Promise. Swear. Vow. Guarantee. Mark it in stone. Write it in blood. He was certain she was safe as long as he was around. Nothing short of a direct hit by lightning would keep him from protecting her.

“Is it gone?” she asked, almost too quietly to be heard.

“I don’t know, but I’m not taking any chances.” He focused on lightening his tone. “I think we should just stay right here forever. Sound good? Good. We have beef jerky and water.”

That earned him a little laugh, but he was kind of serious.

Well, as serious as someone could be about hiding out in a truck in the middle of the Wyoming wilderness for eternity. As crazy as it should have sounded, he’d do anything for Olivia, even become a hermit and give up Skittles.

Because spending a lifetime with Olivia was the stuff of dreams. It didn’t matter where they were. As long as they were together, he was happy.

---