Page 46 of Stalked at Rescue Ridge

Kade wasn’t sure he wanted that man to know about family business, but it was already done. Removing him now would cause a scene. Was there any chance Beau actually wanted to get to know his siblings? Or was he simply his father’s son?

Where Kade took great pride in being nothing like his father, he wasn’t so certain Beau held the same belief. Conrad trusted the man. Could Kade? Could he put him on a short leash instead? Keep an eye on Beau? The saying,Keep your friends close and your enemies closer,came to mind.

He shook off the reverie, focusing on setting up a guard for Bree’s daughter.Hisdaughter, he corrected. Being a parent would take some getting used to. Once they put this ordeal behind them, they needed a sit-down conversation about what the future would look like.

Again, the question as to whether Kade could consider staying in Saddle Junction for the long haul surfaced. Was it even possible?

Because when he let his guard down, being with Bree made him feel dangerously close to findinghome.

He fired off a message in the group chat asking for the favor. Wouldn’t you know Beau was the first to respond? He’d take a shift first if no one else wanted it. Was he jumping in to be kind? To get to know his siblings and prove he had pure intentions? Or was he volunteering so he could keep his enemies closer?

Time would tell.

He gave the message a thumbs up as others chimed in, setting a schedule that worked for them after a little back and forth. When all the time slots were filled for the next week, Kade glanced up at Bree.

She was studying him a little too intently for his liking.

“What is it?” he asked, ready for another shoe to drop.

“She doesn’t have a name yet,” Bree said quietly.

“Why not?”

“Because I wanted her father to help decide.”

Those words cracked more of the protective gear around his heart. The hardened shell splintered just enough to let peeks of light in.

Damn.

They were about to name their daughter.

14

“Thank you for waiting.” Kade’s words gave Bree the courage to consider moving to the next step. Deciding the right time to tell the world he was the father.

But right now, she needed to wrap her mind around leaving her newborn in the hospital. She caught Kade’s gaze. “You’re welcome. It seemed like the right thing to do.” Could she walk out without the baby in her arms? “How do I leave her here?”

“You have no choice, Bree. The baby needs you. She needs you to stay alive and watch her grow up, be there for her in the ways our mothers couldn’t be for us.”

Those words struck a chord. He was right. This wasn’t a choice.

“Okay,” she said, still unsure she could force her legs to walk out of this building when the time came.

“We’ll wrap up something in a blue blanket in case the hospital is being watched,” he said. His idea would throw the Reaper off the trail of the baby staying in the NICU. She could see where that would help keep her under the radar.

She nodded. Choice or not, she’d be walking out of this hospital on rubbery legs.

It was late. Hours had passed. How many?

A nurse entered the room, holding a food tray. “Thought you might be hungry.”

Whatever was on that tray didn’t smell horrible. Or was shethathungry?

After setting down the tray, the nurse wheeled the cart over and positioned it so Bree could eat comfortably.

“How do you feel?” the nurse asked.

“Surprisingly good,” Bree stated.

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