Page 28 of The Pilot & the Athlete

He nodded to her, and she could tell there was more he wanted to share, to explain. “I live in a very hardened world, Shay. A lot of darkness and death. I turn to God for light and purpose.”

“What you do is very honorable. I wish I could ‘glaze’ you properly telling you how tough and impressive and skilled you are. I pray God will strengthen and protect you.”

“Thank you.” They walked without speaking for a few moments. The sun was setting against the mountain peaks to the west, but they’d been in shadows for a while with all the trees covering the Colevilles’ beautiful property.

“I’m glad I can make you laugh,” she said.

“I appreciate it,” he said. “You’re a light, Shay. A breath of fresh air.”

“Thank you.” She put a hand to her heart. His compliments were more substantial to her than the hundreds of men who told her how ‘hot’ or ‘beautiful’ or ‘fit’ she was.

She savored his words as they continued to walk, but something was tingling in her mind. If he didn’t think her teenage vocab was immature and he thought she was funny, a light, and a breath fresh air ... “Then why do you feel …” She paused, unsure how to phrase what she wanted to say, to take her shot.

“Why do I feel …?” His dark gaze grew leery.

She had to grow very brave to spit it out. “Why do you think of me as a little sister?”

He focused on the pine-needle strewn path. “You are like a little sister. All my years growing up, you were there and so adorable and I always loved you … like a younger sibling.”

Disappointment surged through her, but she wasn’t ready to give up yet. “Paul. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I’ve grown up in the years since you left home.”

His gaze swept over her. It grew smoky warm. He swallowed and looked over his shoulder. Their guard was there, far enough back they could speak privately but keeping an eye out for them. Shay highly doubted any danger could come to this ranch, but she’d felt safe with her FBI buddies too.

“I actually have noticed that,” Paul admitted, glancing askance at her before focusing on the trail.

She waited. Would there be more? A proclamation of interest? He’d pull her off into the trees and kiss her and their buddy would give them some space?

Nothing. Paul picked up the pace.

She realized they were heading back toward the cabinsstrewn throughout the trees. Maybe something would happen when they were alone. They finished their walk, thanked Hunter, and Paul used the code to open the door and disarm the alarms. He shut the door behind her, re-deadbolted it, and re-armed the system. The sun was down, but it was probably only eight-thirty. What would they do with the rest of the evening?

“Thirsty?” Paul asked.

“Sure.”

They walked into the kitchen and each got a glass of ice water and drank it. The silence was starting to get to her.

She set her cup on the counter and scrambled for a way to get him to admit he was interested. The way he looked at her showed he was. Or so she thought. Maybe he gave everybody the full force of those enticing deep-brown eyes.

Paul smiled at her. “Are you okay if we turn in early? I didn’t sleep much last night.”

“That’s my fault, no cap. Forgive me?”

His gaze swept over her, focused as if she were his world. “Always.”

Shay had trouble catching her breath. A few beats passed. He drank another sip of water. The moment was definitely gone.

“You are sleeping in a bed tonight,” she insisted.

“Do you feel safe?”

“Yes. I’ll be fine.”

“Okay.” He grimaced and put a hand on his back. “Then I won’t ache and creak like an old man.”

She laughed at that. “There is nothing old about you.”

“Really?” He set his cup down and turned toward her. He rested his hand on the counter next to her hip. “Even though I’m seven years older than you?”

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