Page 11 of Protected By the SEAL
“But?”
“But nothing. Change into something you can hike in. I’ll figure out where we’re going.”
Twenty minutes later, we’re in his truck heading away from the winery. He asked the concierge about hiking trails, and she directed us to a path that winds up into the hills. The further we get from the venue, the easier I breathe.
“Thank you,” I say as he parks at the trailhead. “For not making me explain.”
We start up the trail, and for the first ten minutes, I’m quiet. Walking and breathing and letting the knot in my chest slowly unwind. The path is beautiful, with wildflowers dotting the edges, oak trees providing patches of shade, and the views getting better with each switchback.
“Your cousins are vicious,” Kane says finally, voice low but simmering.
I snort. “Tell me how you really feel.”
“I’m serious. The way they talk to you, the little digs disguised as concern. It’s bullshit.”
“I’m the cautionary tale. The one who couldn’t keep a man, doesn’t have kids, isn’t married yet.”
“You’re thirty-two, not dead. You should be defined by more than whether you’re attached to a man. I’m not exactly the most progressive man on the planet, and even I agree that a woman is more than that.”
“Tell that to Aunt Carol,” I laugh, rolling my eyes.
We reach a steeper section, and Kane offers his hand to help me over some rocks. I take it, and he doesn’t let go when we reach easier ground.
“Can I ask you something?” he says after a while.
“Since when do you ask permission?”
“Why did you invite me to this? You could have asked anyone.”
My heart hammers. The truth sits heavy on my tongue.Because I couldn’t imagine facing this with anyone else. Because you make me feel safe.
“Because you’re my safe place,” I say instead. “I trust you.”
His hand tightens around mine. “Morgana...”
“Look!” I point ahead, desperate to deflect. “I think that’s the viewpoint.”
We reach a clearing with a bench and a spectacular view of the valley. Vineyards stretch out below us in neat rows, the winery buildings looking tiny from this height. I sink onto a rock, tilting my face up to the sun.
“This is gorgeous,” I breathe.
“Yeah,” Kane agrees, but when I open my eyes, he’s looking at me, not the view.
We sit in comfortable silence for a while. A hawk circles overhead. The breeze carries the scent of wild herbs. Everything that felt so heavy at the winery seems insignificant up here.
“You good?” Kane asks eventually, nudging my shoulder with his.
I take a long look at him. This man who faced down my toxic family without flinching. Who held me last night when I was an emotional mess. Who kidnapped me from a wedding event because he knew I needed to breathe.
The realization isn’t new, but the clarity of it in this moment steals my breath: I’m in love with him. I’ve been in love with him for so long.
“Yeah,” I say, smiling for real for the first time all day. “I’m good.”
We hike back down as the afternoon light turns golden. I laugh until my sides hurt. We hold hands on the tricky parts of the trail and then...don’t let go.
By the time we get back to the truck, I feel human again.
“Feel better?” Kane asks as we drive back.
