Page 46 of Lyon

“Wonderful,” I said, stretching my arms as if testing their limits. “Are you coming to Marie’s wedding this weekend?”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” he said. “Joaquin’s flying in tonight. He and Katherine are expecting their fifth child, and he’s finally retiring from the Navy SEALs. Best news we’ve had since all these grandbabies started arriving. I love being a grandfather, and now both parents will finally be home with them.”

“That’s fantastic!” I grinned. “Marie told me she wants as many kids as her parents had. That’s... a little terrifying.”

Dr. Jack chuckled. “And what about you, Niki? When are you settling down and having kids?”

I arched an eyebrow. The assumption that a womanhadto settle down to have kids never failed to amuse me. “I’m not with the FBI anymore, but once I’m fully healed, I’ll get back to work. I don’t know what yet—I still have to figure that part out.”

“You need a nice, quiet job,” he said, his voice laced with gentle concern.

I smiled. Dr. Jack was old-fashioned, the type who probably thought I should be at home raising kids while my husband worked. And honestly? I didn’t hate the idea. Katherine had once told me that becoming a mother was the best thing in life. She had a law degree but chose to stay home after her first baby and never regretted it. Maybe I’d love that, too. Maybe a house full of kids would make me just as happy.

But then my thoughts drifted to Lyon.

I couldn’t picture him in a house bursting with kids. His place was pristine—spotless. Not a single fingerprint on the walls, no stray toys underfoot. No, Lyon was the one-or-two-kids type. My dream of six? Yeah, that would probably stay just that—a dream.

As I stepped out of the doctor’s office, my gaze landed on him instantly. He was striding down the sidewalk like he owned the world, his confident presence drawing every eye.

My heart leaped.

I ran to him, and he caught me effortlessly, lifting me off the ground before crushing his lips to mine. Right there. In the middle of town. For everyone to see. Neither of us cared. We’d been apart for eight weeks, and he had come for me.

“You didn’t even call to tell me you were back from the jungle,” I scolded, breathless. “I missed you. I hope you don’t have any more jobs that keep you away that long.”

Lyon kissed me again before answering. “I don’t want to talk about work. I want to talk about you selling your house.”

“Isoldthe house,” I confirmed. “Sold the horses, too.” I lifted my arms. “And look at these! White and scrawny.”

He grinned, pulling my arms to his lips. “They’re beautiful.”

I laughed. “You know my arms haven’t touched water in months.”

His brows lifted. “Oh?”

“I’m kidding. I washed them in the bathroom.”

“I don’t care if they’ve never been washed,” he murmured, his voice low and warm. “When are you moving in with me?”

I smiled up at him. “I promised my parents I’d stay for the grape harvest. And Marie’s wedding is this weekend. But Iamso happy you’re here. How long can you stay?”

“A few days.” His gaze swept over the town. “I can see why you love this place. It’s beautiful.”

“I’m just visiting. I live in Southern California.”

“Good.”

I narrowed my eyes. “What happened with your friend in the jungle?”

He groaned. “He was never in the jungle. He was in Alaska. His sister sent us on a wild goose chase.”

I blinked. “Wait. You went all the way to the rainforest without confirming he was actually there?”

“It was his sister!” Lyon shook his head, exasperated. “She swore he’d been missing for three months. We believed her. Turns out, she justthoughthe was there. Then she claimed she must have dreamed it.”

A laugh exploded from me so hard I could barely breathe. “You’rekidding.”

“She actually blamedusfor rushing out there before making sure,” he grumbled.

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