Page 56 of Two Steps Ahead

If it hadn’t been for him, she couldn’t imagine what state she’d be in right now. He was the reason she’d been able to hold on to her sanity through all this.

Knowing he was at her side for the long haul had a gentle warmth flowing through her.

And knowing he had brought them to his house and it was only the two of them here had that warmth turning to a much higher heat.

Chapter Seventeen

The sound of the shower running was both soothing and stressful for Weston. He knew where Kayleigh was and that she was safe, but not if she was okay.

How many more hits could one person take? Every time she stared off into space with sightless eyes, he got more concerned she might not find her way back.

Who could blame her? The levels of stress continuously flowing through her body played havoc on her system. The fact that she was keeping it together at all was amazing.

He’d worked in the protection business—military, law enforcement and then San Antonio Security—long enough to recognize and handle the strain from it. His brothers had also.

But trying to find the best way to help someone who wasn’t accustomed to the pressure and tension was difficult. Weston wasn’t great with words and people under the best of circumstances, but he didn’t want to fail Kayleigh when she needed him most.

All he could do was make sure he was here for her and take each moment as it came.

The background noise disappeared as the shower turned off. A few minutes later, he heard Kayleigh’s soft footsteps on the stairs before she entered the room in obviously well-loved shorts and a T-shirt.

Weston’s breath caught. Something about the casual outfit and the way the light struck her, he could almost see the young girl she’d been when they’d met. The way her eyes lit up and hermouth curled when she saw him. It made his heart catch in the best way.

But they weren’t children anymore and Kayleigh had definitely grown up. Even with residual anxiety tightening her features, she was stunning.

This woman.

Seeing her in his kitchen, fresh from the shower, with no makeup, and clothes that announced she was completely comfortable with him, made Weston realize exactly how gone he was for her.

He’d rather have a stressed-out Kayleigh in pajamas with her hair a mess than another woman dressed to the nines. He craved her softness and the way she looked at life the same way he craved solitude and space: near desperately.

Kayleigh tilted her head, smiling softly. “You okay? You look a little...perplexed.”

Weston cleared his throat. He hadn’t meant to stare, but it was hard not to. And now wasn’t the time to share what he was thinking. That needed to be after she was out of this dangerous situation.

“Yeah. Yeah, I’m fine. How about you?”

She shrugged without answering, which was answer enough. One shower wasn’t going to fix everything going on in her life.

But he could help a little bit more.

“I still want to show you something. Come with me?”

He held his hand out and tried not to be nervous. If she didn’t feel comfortable following him, that was okay. He’d be disappointed but he would understand.

He couldn’t help his soft, relieved exhale when she took his hand. He smiled and led her to the sliding doors just off the kitchen.

Guiding her through the backyard, he enjoyed the first vestiges of sunset on the horizon. He always enjoyed seeing thesky painted in purples and pinks with the soft clouds adding dimension. Even though he’d seen the Texas sunset a million times before, it never got old.

The sunset was a beautiful reminder that no matter what, even the roughest day ended so a new one could begin. The thought had saved him more times than he could count over the years.

Sunsets and sunrises—the irrefutable proof of time’s passage—had always been Weston’s favorite parts of the day. Didn’t hurt that they were also the most beautiful.

So to be out here in his yard, his happy place, at this time of day was a bonus.

Being here with Kayleigh at this time of day was damned near a dream come true.

His plants were all healthy and thriving as they covered the edges of the yard and the patio. He took a great amount of pride in this backyard, even though very few people saw it. It washis. Caring for the plants was just as important to him as them looking good.

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