Page 53 of Fearless
“He is,” Hadlee said, answering her own question. “He’s crazy. He was smiling about it!” Her wide eyes snapped up to Kitty’s. “Oh my God, you’re smiling too and you know what Ethen can do!”
And that was a funny thing, too. She knew exactly what Ethen was capable of and yes, she was smiling. Inside, she was flying. She’d never been so happy or so free. Noah had hit Ethen, because he wasn’t afraid. Not of the man or of the consequences that surely would follow. For some reason, instead of scared all Kitty was… was proud.
She stood marveling, both at him and herself, until the door popped open again and Noah stuck his head back through far enough to beckon her. “Cabby’s waiting. Put a hoof on it, yeah?”
“How can he be so cheerful about it?” Hadlee whispered, all but appalled. But only because she didn’t know him, not like Kitty did. The cheer was part of his charm.
So was the wink when she went to him and he said, “Just wait until I get you home, love. You’ve never been in more trouble in your life.”
And still she couldn’t stop smiling, nor did she hesitate before taking the hand he offered her. Because this was Noah and perhaps she had never been in more trouble, but she’d also never been more safe.
And she loved him for it.
She loved him.
It was fifteen thousand miles to Australia and home. Who knew, maybe somewhere along the way she’d find the courage to curl into his side, rest her head upon his shoulder… and tell him so.
The End
