Page 28 of Sachie's Hero

“And you’re going to change diapers and feed the baby in the middle of the night when I’m so exhausted I can’t remember what’s up and what’s down.”

“Yes, ma’am. I’ve been practicing diaper changing on the baby’s stuffed bear. I’ve got it down to five seconds flat.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Kelea said as she left the room. “Wait until you change a moving target.”

Hawk chuckled. “I can’t wait.” He took the popcorn packet from Mr. Parkman, tore off the cellophane and placed the bag in the microwave. “Are you two going to watch the match with us?”

Sachie glanced toward the window. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to go out and enjoy what’s left of the afternoon sunshine.”

“I’ll go with you,” Teller said.

Sachie walked out the back door, stood for a moment on the deck and drew in a deep breath. She let it out slowly and turned to Teller. “Care to take a walk?”

“Sure,” he responded.

“You know, it’s safe here on the ranch. Don’t feel obligated to follow me around. If you’d rather watch the match with Kalea and her family, you won’t hurt my feelings.”

He touched a hand to her back and descended the steps to the ground. “I’d love to go for a walk. The sun is still shining, and the air is fresh.”

“That’s how I feel. It would be nice to clear the smell of smoke from my system.” She headed toward the fence where he’d stood minutes before with Hawk, discussing her. She climbed up on the first rail and placed her foot on the second.

“Were your ears burning?” Teller asked.

“What?” Sachie lost her grip on the top rail and fell backward.

Teller easily caught her, one arm behind her back and the other beneath her knees.

She glared at him without fighting to free herself of his hold. “Were you and Hawk talking about me?”

“You were part of the conversation.” Teller’s lips twitched, and his brow twisted. “And he talked a lotabout timing and how it worked for him and Kalea, though he hadn’t really wanted to be her protector in the very beginning.” He shook his head. “I’m not certain what point he was trying to make.” He hefted her up onto the top rail and gripped her knees until she had her balance. “Got it?”

She nodded. “Yeah. You can let go.”

He did but remained at the ready in case she tipped one way or the other.

“What were you and Hawk saying about me?”

“He told me you had a difficult childhood, and that working as a counselor was your way of helping others with similar challenges.” Teller didn’t go into detail about what difficulties she’d encountered growing up. If she wanted him to know, she would tell him. If not, it was none of his business.

She turned, swung a leg over the top rail, straddling the fence, her gaze going out to pasture where the horse still grazed, unconcerned about humans and their hangups. “You were part of the conversation in the nursery as well,” Sachie said.

“Were you so stuck for interesting conversation that you had to resort to talking about me?” he asked, surprised his name had come up. If he were honest with himself, he was a bit flattered and curious.

She nodded. “Kalea said you were one of the team members who’d been hardest to get to know. Shethought maybe you’d been hurt by someone in the past. A wife, girlfriend, family member, and that it gave you trust issues.” Sachie looked back at Teller.

Teller leaned his elbows on the fence in front of her knees and stared out at the field. “What do you think?”

“That it’s none of my business,” she said.

“Have you ever lost trust in someone?”

“Who hasn’t?” She looked away.

“I didn’t lose trust in a wife,” he said. “I’ve never been married.”

Sachie glanced down at him, her brow furrowing. “Never? A good-looking guy like you?”

He liked that she found him attractive, but didn’t say anything, not wanting to lead her on.

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