Page 99 of Guarded from Danger

“So, what’s the surprise?”

Lucy tugs at my hand, drawing my attention. She glances over at me, excitement in her eyes as she asks, “Are you going to tell me yet? I know it’s in the barn. Is it that movie I’ve been wanting to see?”

“I’m not telling you anything else. You’ll just have to wait and see.” But she’ll find out in just a few minutes, given that we’re about to leave the ranch and head out to the barn, and it’ll be impossible to keep her surprise a secret once she sees it.

She stretches up to kiss my cheek. “I’ll remember this when it comes time for your birthday. And I have plenty of months to planmysurprise.”

I release her hand, wrapping my arm around her waist and hugging her to my side. “I can’t wait.”

Sobering, I add, “Remember, I’m still a novice at planning birthday celebrations. Before you, it was just buying a case of beer for whoever’s birthday it was. And maybe playing some cards or heading out to a bar. It may take me a few years before I get good at it.”

“Xavier.” She smiles at me, her features lit by that Lucy-glow. “Don’t you know? It’s not what you do that’s important. It’s being with you. And honestly, every day with you is more special than any birthday I’ve had before.”

Oh.

I can’t breathe for a second.

How did I get this lucky?

Speaking past the lump in my throat, I reply, “I love you, Luce. So much.”

Her eyes go soft. “I love you too.”

As we step outside, my heart kicks into gear. A flutter of nerves fill my belly.

It’s not the first surprise I’m nervous about, but the second.

Across the yard, the barn is aglow with hundreds of white lights, first put there by Niall and then progressively added to by Dante and me. At this rate, by the time all of us fall in love, the barn’s going to look like a disco ball.

“Oh, Xavier. It’s so pretty.” After the first few steps outside, she stops. “Oh.Xavier.”

Lucy’s seen the barn all lit up before for other parties, but this time it’s different.

Hundreds of yellow balloons are everywhere. Tied to the trees, to the solar lights lining the path, the barn door, and to every available surface inside. And just above the door, there’s a custom-made sign made of yellow flowers and twinkling with lights that saysHappy Birthday Lucy!

And that’s not all. It’s all the people inside. First chatting quietly, but as I lead Lucy closer to the barn, they all start clapping.

“Xavier.” Her voice wobbles. “You did all this?”

“Sort of. I had help.” As we continue our slow progress across the yard, I add, “Everyone wanted to be a part of it. Because they love you so much. So I thought… Well, I didn’t want to be selfish. I wanted to let them show you how much you’re loved.”

Lucy covers her mouth as tears shine in her eyes. “I can’t believe… look how many people there are. It’s just… I can’t believe it.”

I can.

Weeks ago, my friends started asking how they could help celebrate Lucy’s birthday. After everything she’s been through, they wanted to do something. Everyone wanted to be here to show their support. Their friendship. Their love.

My team is here, of course, along with Jade and Sarah. Dante and Sarah helped with all the food, coaching me through the dishes I insisted on making. They all helped decorate, spendinghours tacking up lights and inflating balloons, and Jade and Rhiannon worked for hours on theHappy Birthdaysign.

Then there are our friends in San Antonio, as many as could make it. TJ, who I’ve known since our Green Beret qualification training, and his wife, Milena. Cruz and his wife, Mickie. Our friend and contact in the SAPD, Quint, and his wife, Corrie.

Lucy’s parents came, along with her friends from the bookstore, Amanda and Remy.

Then there are her author friends, ones she talks to mostly online, but as soon as I reached out, they all wanted to be here.

Leo and Georgia flew from New York, along with their little girl, Lily.

Rylan and Charlie are here, too, and as soon as we step into the barn, Charlie runs over to Lucy and gives her a hug. “I’m so glad to see you. Ry and I are staying for a few days, so we can spend some time hanging out. And talk about romance books.”

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