Page 59 of Montana Silence

“I know it’s always here. I’m trying something new, and aside from Daniel, none of you have ever been to my house.”

Jude chuckled. “I’m all for that. Lena will lose her shit.”

“Evie too,” Lucas said. “Are you prepared for that?”

Spreading my hands wide, I shook my head. “I have absolutely no idea.”

Daniel watched me, and I met his gaze. “You don’t have to prove anything to us, Liam.”

“I know. It’s something I want to do.”

“Then your place it is.”

Noah looked at me. “Does this mean you’re cooking?”

“Scared?”

He stood and clapped me on the shoulder. “I’ll let you know after I taste it. Gotta get over to the barn.”

“Is there anything else you need from me?” I asked them. “I know you said I’m covered.”

“And we meant it,” Harlan said.

Daniel stood too. “Just keep us posted about what happens as far as the lawyers go. We all know there’s plenty he can do from prison, but he’s still limited. If he’s out, it changes the ball game.” Then he smiled. “Go spend time with her. It’s where you want to be, and more than anything, we need you to be where your focus is.”

“Take care of her, and cook us a good meal. But first, get checked out at the hospital,” Lucas added.

“Thanks.”

All I wanted was to get back to Mara. But I didn’t want her to sit with me in the hospital for no reason when she could be relaxing with Lena.

The whole thing took longer than I wanted and was exactly what I expected. Surface-level injuries with instructions to get some rest. But my injuries were officially documented. Even if they found The Family members who jumped me, proof didn’t exist, and my injuries weren’t severe enough to get them jail time.

I texted Daniel, confirming being checked out, and headed back to Deja Brew. As soon as my mind knew I was heading toward Mara, the whole world got brighter.

The bell over Deja Brew’s door rang as I pushed inside, and laughter spilled out of the kitchen. Both Mara’s and Lena’s laughter. Her laugh was the best sound in the world. Light and life and sweetness all wrapped up into one.

“You’re here to steal her from me, aren’t you?” Lena peeked out of the kitchen and made a face. “Mara is a very good assistant. I’m not sure you can have her back.”

“That’s too bad. I was looking forward to her company.”

Lena winked. “I’m just kidding. Come on back. She’s elbows-deep in cookie dough and frosting. We’ll need a minute.”

I followed her back to the kitchen and froze in the doorway. Mara sat on a stool with the biggest smile on her face. Purple frosting painted her hands and arms. A smudge also graced her forehead.

With a frosting bag, she painted purple swirls on pale sugar cookies, and I couldn’t stop looking at her. She was luminous. No worry weighed down her shoulders.

Thiswas who Mara was when assholes like Malcolm weren’t making her question her worth. Or pushing her to think she had no one in her corner. She was vibrant and beautiful, and rage burned in me at the men who’d robbed her of a life full of joy.

Her smile didn’t falter when she saw me. She held out a cookie, eyes sparkling. I rounded the table and took a bite.Fuck, no one made cookies like Lena. “That’s incredible.”

“Mara did most of the work.”

Mara shook her head and rolled her eyes, still smiling. “No.”

“Do you want to stay? You’re having fun.”

She glanced at Lena, who’d stepped out to the front of the shop. “I can have fun with you, too.”

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