Page 56 of Luke

“Hey sweetheart,” he answered.

“I got the job, Luke!” Bryce exclaimed excitedly.

“Oh baby, that’s fantastic news. I’m happy for you. We should celebrate.”

“I agree,” Bryce replied with a grin.

“How about we go out to the Hartland on Saturday night?” Luke suggested.

“Connie mentioned that place to me before. I’d love to go. Now all I need is a babysitter.”

“Call my mom,” Luke said without hesitation.

Bryce hesitated though; she didn’t want to keep relying on Luke’s mom for babysitting. “I can’t keep asking her all the time.”

“Okay, I’ll ask this time. I was actually going to call you about something else too. I’m leaving for Whitefish in the morning to check on someone.”

“Where’s Whitefish?”

“Close to Kalispell. I should be back Thursday.”

“Okay, I’ll miss you.”

“Not as much as I’ll miss you.”

“Don’t argue with me, you’ll lose.” She smiled.

Luke chuckled. “I don’t doubt that for a second. I’ll call you tonight.”

“Can’t wait. I love you.”

“I love you back, darlin’. Tell Leah I love her too.” He hung up.

Bryce moved to the floor and sat in front of Leah. “I love Luke as much as you do.”

She carefully lifted her out of the seat and placed her on herbelly and grinned when Leah raised her head and kicked her legs out behind her. Leah could also raise up on her arms.

“Mama’s so proud of you.” Leah turned her head to look at her. “You’re such a precious little girl. Luke loves you too. I bet you miss hearing him, don’t you? It’s been three days since we’ve seen him, and I know I miss him.”

Bryce smiled. She was so happy that she went into labor in Clifton.

****

Mick’s phone rang, jolting him from his thoughts. He answered with a tense breath, knowing it could be bad news.

“Well?” he barked into the receiver.

“I ran into him,” Craig’s voice came through the line. “He’s a livestock agent.”

“Shit,” Mick muttered, running a hand through his hair. This was not good.

“He can’t do anything to us,” Craig reassured him.

“He’s still law enforcement and probably carries a gun,” Mick pointed out, his mind racing with potential consequences.

“Yeah, he does. I saw it. And he’s a big dude. Over six feet,” Craig reported.

Mick cursed under his breath. They were going to have to deal with this guy first before they could even think about getting to Bryce.

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