Page 11 of Edge of Danger

A soft, female voice floated over from the reception area. “Hello?”

He was up in a flash, if only to keep whoever was out there from waking Walker. “Yes? Can I help you?” he asked as he closed his door behind him.

She was beautiful. That struck him first. Petite with delicate features. Brown hair pulled back into a ponytail. A full mouth that tugged downward at the corners, and dark brown eyes that met his and held his gaze without flinching.

She looked confused. Tired. Troubled.

Instantly, something tightened in his chest. He wanted to help her. Heneededto.

She opened her mouth, then closed it. Her brows lifted before drawing together. “Uh, yes. I think so?”

He waited, watching her. She carried a cheap fake-leather bag over one shoulder. A jittery hand plucked at the strap; her teeth dug into her bottom lip.

Nervous. His senses sharpened, tuned in to her every move, her every breath. The image of a wounded bird formed in his mind.

If he pushed too hard or came on too strong, the bird would fly away. “Would you like to sit down? Can I get you something to drink?”

“Um, I guess? Water?”

Was it a question? Why was she so uncertain?

He was about to ask that very question when a familiar noise started up from inside his office.

“Is that Walker?” she asked, eyes leaving Brax’s face for the first time since they’d met.

Brax tensed. Just when he’d thought his protective instincts couldn’t rev any higher. “Who are you? How do you know the baby’s name?”

It was rare for anybody to relax in his presence once he’d barked at them that way, but she did. “I’m Tessa. We spoke on the phone yesterday. ‘Swaddling’?”

He relaxed. Maci must’ve called the agency she was talking about, and they’d probably reached out to Tessa since she’d taken care of Walker before. “Of course. Sorry for sounding suspicious. It’s been a long few days.”

“I understand.” She pointed to his office, brows lifting in silent question, and he nodded.

She hurried toward the baby. “Hey, Walker!” Her sweet voice was soft as she unlatched the straps holding Walker in place. “How’s my buddy? How come you’re crying, huh?”

It was magic. The second the baby was in her arms, he quieted down. “There he is,” she whispered, stroking his downy cheek with one finger and smiling down at him. “Missed you, buddy.”

“You’re incredible with him,” Brax murmured. “He likes you.”

She couldn’t have been older than her early twenties, yet she handled the baby like she’d been caring for children for decades. Some people had the magic touch, he guessed, and thank heaven, again, Tessa had found her way to him.

By the time the guys showed up and Maci arrived with lunch, Tessa had fed and changed Walker and was rocking him to sleep in her arms.

“All right. Hold on.” Luke stopped in front of Brax’s office. “I heard there was a baby, but for some reason I still imagined it was a joke.”

“Wow, that agency was quick,” Weston muttered to Brax while Luke and Chance introduced themselves to Tessa.

“I know. Barely quick enough, though.” Brax rolled his head back and forth, rubbing his neck. Why did his neck hurt? The damage a baby could do.

“Let’s get you set up in the conference room,” Weston offered. “If you don’t mind working out of the office, that is.”

“Not at all.” Tessa looked at Brax with a smile. “This is unexpected. All this attention.”

“Yeah. My brothers are always ready to jump in and help. It’s just that we have to work, of course, and Robert dropped Walker on me without warning.”

Tessa tilted her face away, but not in time to hide the way she grimaced at Robert’s name.

Brax could understand that. It was obvious from the way she’d lit up when she’d seen the baby that she cared about Walker and couldn’t believe Robert would do something as stupid as walking away from his child.

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