Page 41 of The Making of Marnie Jones

This was the man who saved Olivia's life. Arrived in time and administered CPR to keep her alive. His countenance screamed that he wanted no credit. He didn't offer to shake her hand, but maybe Jake had warned him.

That both disconcerted and comforted at the same time.

“How is she?” Tension laced Jake's voice.

Wolf’s eyes were bleak, and his jaw tight. “Her sleep is disturbed. She's having nightmares.”

“Did she tell you?” Confused, Marnie eyed him.

Wolf chuckled. “Not in so many words.”

She sensed something passing between the two men.Okay. Weird, but I can work with this.“What are you to Olivia?”

Jake spoke. “He's her guardian angel. He saved her life.”

“Saving her life is proving to be the easy part. Her soul is troubled.” Wolf shook his head.

Marnie gazed deeply into his dark-brown eyes. Eyes that saw too much. What did he see when he looked at her? Into her soul, or just another wounded woman? “She won't accept your help, will she?”

“She won't even let me in the room.” He huffed out an explosive breath.

“How do you know she didn't sleep well?” She suspected she knew the answer, but she needed to hear him say the words.

Again, however, Jake spoke. “He knows these things.” His gaze met hers.

She read his message loud and clear. She was to drop the matter. Okay.For now.“What happens next?” Her grip on the strap of her knapsack wasn’t quite as hard as it had been. This man also engendered trust.

“I'll go talk to Olivia while you two get better acquainted.” Jake's easy grin didn't reach his eyes.

Yet again, she fought the desire to reach out and physically reassure him. Each time she felt it, the pull was stronger and stronger. Maybe the next time she’d give in to the yearning.

“We'll be fine.” She offered what assurances she could. “Wolf and I will be right here.”

Seemingly placated, Jake entered the ward after being buzzed in.

She watched him until he disappeared into one of the many rooms.

Wolf pointed to some chairs.

When she sat, he joined her.

“I owe you a debt of thanks.” His voice was a low rumble.

What?“Me? What did I do?”

“You knew where to find her.”

Ah. “Jake also feels that way, but we’re talking blind luck because she might’ve been anywhere.” It disconcerted her that both men were giving her so much credit. It’d been more of a hunch than certitude.

“More than a hunch. You endured going back to the dark place and put yourself in her shoes. That took guts.” He gazed at her.

Had she said the words aloud? He recognized her in ways she couldn't fathom. “I didn't have far to go.” She didn't hide the pain in her voice, and although she didn’t want to go there, she’d have to. For his sake. “There was no logic or deductive reasoning involved—I went purely on gut instinct. And you want to know why.”

His brow furrowed and his expression darkened. “I see a lot of things. I comprehend a lot of things. This one has me baffled.” He lowered his elbows, placed them on his thighs, then slumped forward.

His hands were casually interlaced. Big hands. Big like the man.

Big hands that could hurt or could heal—she wasn't sure which. She clasped her hands together on her thighs. “I tried to explain it to Jake, and I'm not sure I can do any better for you. But I'll try.”

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