Page 79 of Billionaire Lumberjack's Bargain

Dalton turns back to me and motions for us to stay there, and I nod as he reaches up onto the top of the bookcase, grabs the gun, and then slides the books over to get to the shells.

He loads it quickly, then steps deeper into the house.

Davey clings to me, giggling, and I press my finger over my mouth to tell him to be quiet, pretending it’s a game. He presses his lips closed again and slaps his hand over his mouth, and I force a smile he’s too young to know is fake.

Dalton disappears into the blackness, and I hold my breath.

The cabin isn’t big.

It shouldn’t take him long to check everywhere, but each second that ticks by when he’s gone feels like an hour.

The darkness that usually doesn’t bother me up here somehow feels threatening tonight.

Each sound makes me flinch, tightening my hold on Davey.

A light finally flips on in the living room, and Dalton stands there with a gun at his side, no longer at the ready. “The house is clear. Go into the back with him. I have to check the rest of the property for any signs that someone was here. Lock the door behind me and don’t open it unless you’re sure it’s me coming back.”

“Dalton…”

He approaches and takes my cheek in his palm again, running his calloused thumb across it in a way that sends a little shiver of pure warmth through me. “I promise I’ll be okay.”

Only hours ago, he was barely able to stand, in so much pain thatIalmost felt it. And now, who knows what he might face out there, what might wait for him?

Tears burn my eyes, and he presses a kiss to my temple before he steps around us through the open door and out into the inky blackness of night. He motions for us to go, and I close the door behind him, throw the lock, and rush back to the bedroom with Davey.

Please, God, let him be okay…

I haven’t prayed in so long. I haven’t eventhoughtto.

After Dave died, I wasn’t even sure therewasa God anymore, yet here I am, begging Him to protect the man who spent the last few months protecting us and is still out there doing it.

No matter what it might cost him.

ChapterTwelve

DALTON

Every snap of a twig, each rustle of a leaf in the chilly nighttime breeze, draws my attention, tensing every muscle in my body as I make my way around the property, searching for any signs that someone was here who shouldn’t have been.

Which isanyone.

This mountain has always been a haven—somewhere free of threats beyond what’s always lived in these trees. The people of James Creek respect it and our place, and we’ve never had to evenconsidera breach of that trust before.

The fact that it’s brought that kind of fear to Camille only strengthens my grip on the weapon.

I pause next to the paddock and pop into the barn for a minute to check on the animals, but everything is quiet and appears untouched—whoever was at the lake doesn’t seem to have come to the property.

Or if they did, they are good at covering their tracks.

At least in the dark.

Tomorrow may show something different in the light of a new day, but at least for tonight, I know Camille is safe with me here.

The satisfaction that washes through me with that knowledge rivals that of earlier today brought on by Camille’s touch. I want to do the same for her; that’s why I made her that promise—that everything will be okay.

It may have been stupid to say those words when I don’t even fully understand the situation myself, but seeing that terror return to her eyes that I thought I had vanquished was enough for me to tell heranythingto ensure it went away.

Even if it wasn’t true…

---