Page 64 of Hero's Heart

Callum ran a hand through his hair, a sigh escaping his lips. “I have no idea. I found her sneaking around the property, no belongings, no car. Then she fainted, so I didn’t get any info from her.”

“Does Sloane being here get your hackles up?” Zac’s narrowed eyes glanced toward the door. Even thirty years after marrying her, he was still protective of Annie.

“I’m not worried she’s a threat, if that’s what you’re asking. I am wondering what the hell is going on.”

The other man relaxed slightly. “I guess what I’m asking is, are you happy to see Sloane again? Are you glad she’s here?”

Callum hesitated, the question hanging heavy in the air, but not because he didn’t know the answer.

Hell yes, he was happy she was here. He’d thought of her every single day since their abrupt goodbye in Barcelona. He’d wondered if she was okay, if she still had little nightmares about Nikola Kozak touching her, if she regretted giving her virginity to him.

Her showing up when he’d least expected it didn’t upset him at all. The opposite. But he wasn’t going to admit that to Zac, given how pathetic it sounded.

“I know her home situation isn’t the best, so if she needed out of Seattle, I’m glad she left.”

“Oak Creek is pretty fucking far from Seattle.”

Callum let out a sigh. “Yeah, and I still don’t even know how she got here. Or why she chose here at all. But if she needs help, I’ll do what I can.”

Before Zac could respond, the sound of the front door opening drew their attention. Annie emerged, her expression a mix of concern and relief.

“She’s awake and talking,” she announced. “From what I can tell, she hasn’t had proper meals or sleep for days. That, combined with stress and exhaustion, likely led to her fainting.”

Callum looked over Annie’s shoulder but couldn’t see inside to the couch. “Will she be okay?”

“With rest and nourishment, she should be fine. I’d like to schedule a follow-up appointment for a few days from now, just to be sure.”

He didn’t know if Sloane even planned to still be here in a few days. But God, he hoped so. “Sounds good. I’ll make it happen.” If he could. Maybe it would be an excuse to get her to stay.

Annie paused, her gaze softening. “Callum, are you comfortable taking care of her? She’s probably going to be pretty weak for a few days—needs as much sleeping and eating as possible.”

“Of course. I’ll do whatever it takes to help her.” The words surprised him, the depth of his own commitment catching him off guard. But as he spoke them, he knew they were true.

Annie and Zac exchanged a knowing glance, but Callum didn’t say anything.

“We’ll leave you to it, then,” Annie said, turning back to gather her belongings. “I’ll set up a follow-up appointment for three days from now. If you need anything in the meantime, just call.”

Callum closed the door behind his friends and turned toward the couch. Sloane had already fallen back asleep. She looked better, although maybe that was just his subconscious sighing in relief now that he knew she’d been checked out by a medical professional and was in no true danger.

He knelt down beside her. “You’re a long way from home,” he muttered, his voice soft.

She shifted then, her brow furrowing as she murmured something under her breath. Her lips parted, her eyelids fluttering again.

“Callum…” Her voice was barely audible, but the sound of his name on her lips made something inside him twist. She didn’t say anything else.

He moved into the chair across from the couch, watching her as she slowly settled into sleep once more. A quiet calm settled over the room, broken only by the crackle of the fire he’d built earlier before finding her.

“Rest, angel,” he murmured, the old endearment slipping out before he could stop it. “We’ll sort this out in the morning.”

And for the first time in years, the cabin didn’t feel quite so empty.

Chapter 22

Callum stepped into the kitchen, his boots scuffing lightly against the worn hardwood floor. The scent of coffee lingered in the air, but it was the sight of Sloane by the dishwasher that brought a flicker of warmth to his chest. She was upright, moving—a far cry from the pale, bedridden figure she’d been for the past two days.

“Well, look who’s up and about,” he said, his voice soft enough to avoid startling her. A smile tugged at his lips. “You’re looking better today.”

Sloane glanced over her shoulder, a small, shy smile curving her lips. “I’m feeling better,” she admitted, her voice steady but tinged with the lingering weight of exhaustion. Her hands worked methodically, loading dishes into the dishwasher with the kind of determination that made Callum’s heart ache.

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