Page 130 of Stolen for Keeps
“He stashed it good. Town’s quiet. No suspicious movement.”
I let out a sigh of relief. “Good.”
Dom’s eyes swept the room. “Where’s Maya?”
“Work,” I said, checking my watch. “Short shift today. She should be?—”
The rumble of her car rolling into the drive cut me off.
Reko beat me to the door, his tail going wild as he bolted down the hallway. I followed, just in time to see Maya step out of her car with her bag slung over one shoulder.
Reko bounded straight into her with his front paws up, whining like she’d been gone forever.
“Okay, okay!” She crouched to ruffle his ears. “I missed you too, buddy.”
I didn’t wait. I pulled her in as soon as she stood, my arms wrapping around her waist.
She let herself sink into them, her voice muffled against my shirt. “I couldn’t focus. Nearly ruined a whole tray of pumpkin honey cakes.”
That earned a low laugh from me. “Glad you didn’t bring the smoke alarm home with you.”
“I considered it.”
Dom stepped inside behind us as we moved back toward the kitchen.
“How’d it go?” Maya asked him, brushing her hair behind her ear.
“All clear,” Dom said. “Log handled it like a pro.”
She spotted the sad remains of his sandwich. “So you two haven’t actually eaten.”
“Not really,” I admitted.
“Sit down,” she said, already heading to the fridge. “I’ll fix you guys something.”
“You don’t have to, Blue,” I said, coming up behind her again and pressing a kiss to her neck. She still smelled like the Butterberry Oven scent I’d started craving for more than one reason.
“It’s okay,” she said gently. “Keeps my mind off things. Mac and cheese okay?”
“Absolutely,” Dom said before I could answer.
I turned toward the coffee machine. “Coffee?”
“Yes, please,” they both echoed.
I poured and passed the mugs over. Maya was at the stove, stirring the cheese sauce, her posture relaxed but focused.
“You need help, sweetheart?” I asked, leaning on the counter.
“I’m fine, baby,” she said. “Just sit. I’ll bring the plates.”
I headed to the table with Dom.
As I sat down, I caught myself watching her. Same woman, same fire, but lately, the storm had settled. Maybe pressed by the weight of our situation, but somehow, I believed that it was because she knew she wasn’t alone anymore.
“So, you’ve made sure you can actually practice in Montana?” I asked Dom, my grip on the mug a little too tight. Might’ve cracked the damn thing if I wasn’t careful.
Dom didn’t even flinch. “What did I tell you about my Montana dream, Noah?”
