Page 45 of When He Protects

“He’s Doctor Bear, and he can make you feel better.” A wide grin to reveal a mouthful of baby teeth.

“Doctor Bear looks amazing,” Esme assured her. She gave the little girl—and the bear—a wave.

The mom finished paying and stacking her bags into the buggy. She glanced over at Esme and Tyler. “We have to take Doctor Bear with useverywhere,”she explained to them. “Everywhere.”

“Oh, look, honey, he has his own stethoscope,” Esme breathed. “That is adorable.”

The mom laughed. “I’m a doctor, and my baby girl insisted on getting him as soon as she saw him in the store. Said he was just like me.”

“He can fix anyone,” the girl boasted with no small amount of pride.

“I am absolutely certain he can.” Esme nodded. And asthe mom and daughter wheeled away, Tyler could have sworn he saw a hint of wistfulness on Esme’s face. He touched her shoulder.

She just flashed a megawatt smile his way.

The clerk began swiping their items. “You two must be the couple who moved into the sheriff’s old family place.”

The words had him glancing at the woman behind the counter. Her shrewd gaze swept them.

“Guilty,” Esme responded happily.

His fingers squeezed her shoulder.

“How’d you know?” Esme asked.

“It’s a small town. New people always stand out.” The scanner beeped as she rolled items right past it. “Hear that you’re friends with the sheriff?”

“My husband is,” Esme helpfully clarified before Tyler could respond. “Such good friends. And I am thrilled to be down here. Can’t wait to get all settled in. Tell me, what is your absolute favorite thing to do in town?”

The woman blinked. Stopped scanning. Then nodded as if she’d reached a decision. “Catch the sunset on the bay. That’s my favorite. You see the sunset from the pier, and it’ll bring peace to your soul.”

Esme’s throat moved the tiniest bit. “I could use a little peace. Thank you.”

The cashier finished ringing up their items, Tyler paid in cash, and?—

“Chocolate chips!” Esme rounded on him in dismay. “I forgot them.”

“We don’t need them.” He pushed the buggy toward the automatic doors at the front of the store.

“Um, yes, we do. Tyler, please, go snag some for me? I’ll stay with the buggy. I swear, I’ll be good. Just get my chocolate chips, would you? They’re needed for my recipe.”

Great. She looked so hopeful. She’d been so damn happy in the store, and…I keep seeing her after the blast.It was almost impossible to match up the two images in his head. Beautiful, bold Esme as she was now. And the battered, lifeless body he’d held in the wreckage of that café.

Tyler swallowed. He liked the happy Esme. The bold and sparkling one. “I’ll be right back.”

“I will be on my best behavior. Promise.” She rose onto her toes and skimmed a kiss over his cheek. “Thank you. Best husband ever, that’s you.”

Jaw locking, he hurried back through the store.

She hadn’t wantedto block the doors, so Esme pushed her buggy outside and eased next to a display of charcoal and tiki torches that waited in front of the grocery store. Her gaze scanned the parking lot.

She caught sight of the doctor loading her groceries into the back of a mini-van. The little girl was spinning in circles near her mother’s feet. And…

The little girl took off running—heading back for the store.

Esme’s eyes widened.

The mother hadn’t noticed that her little girl was gone.

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