Page 39 of Pick Yourself Up
He laughed. “It’s good for the orchard, but the guests might prefer a drier theme.”
She smiled. “It feels good to plan for the future. I think it’ll be easier now that I’ve got the worry of keeping secrets behind me.”
“Glad you told them?” Not that she shared the specifics of how they’d hurt her. He’d never get the image of the asshole backhanding her with his gun out of his head.
She nodded. “It was hard, but now the most difficult part is done. I know they’ll all have questions, but I think I’ll find it easier to tell them now. Thanks for helping me through it.”
He kissed her lightly. “You’re welcome. Any time. And thanks for getting me through the big brother triple threat.”
A full laugh broke out of her. “You didn’t need any help in that department. They all know you and respect you. Now they know you’re my hero, I think you’ve got smooth sailing ahead.”
He did, because he wasn’t going to screw this up.
His phone beeped in his pocket, and he pulled it out. You must be too far to hear the dinner bell. Time to eat. The taco bar is ready.
He showed Amber the text. “Ready?”
She nodded. “I’m good now. That conversation wore me out, but the walk helped. Thank you.”
“Any time.”
Hand in hand, they headed back. Fox barked and bounded into the trees while Boomer and Hemsworth walked with them to the farmhouse.
To home.
Chapter 10
A Bang Up Job
Amber was pulling weeds with Gray in the garden when two unknown vehicles pulled into the driveway. Her heart galloped and panic gripped her.
Boomer barked sharply and loped to her side from where he’d been exploring the bushes. Gray dropped his shovel and moved to stand with her, angling himself between her and the cars. Had the Lauzon family found them? Would they shoot them in broad daylight with other people on the farm?
The window on the first vehicle buzzed down, and Amber whimpered. She grabbed Gray, tried to pull him down. If they shot at them, being on the ground was the smartest move. He didn’t budge. Boomer leaned into her side, but he’d stopped barking.
“Hey, Claus. I brought the gang to set up your security.”
Gray’s body relaxed as the man spoke. “Thanks, Epic. Go ahead and park down there with the other cars.”
Epic? Their friend from the army?
Gray turned and wrapped his arms around her. His voice whispered in her ears. “Friends. They’re friends, Amber. Boomer. Friends.”
She shuddered and tried to put the fear where it belonged. Far away in the back corner of her mind. Friends, not the Lauzons.
“Breathe with me, sweetheart. Breathe.”
It took three rounds through the breathing routine, but it worked. Boomer leaned into her side, nuzzling her hand, trying to ground her. Gray’s arms around her kept her steady while she shoved the panic away.
Finally, she took a normal breath and nodded. “I’m okay. Sorry about that.”
He kissed her lightly and chuckled. “Nothing to be sorry about. I was ready to pull my weapon.”
But he hadn’t fallen apart.
“Hey.” He caressed her jaw.
She swallowed and looked at him. Concern filled his eyes. “I’m okay.”
