Page 27 of Hero Unbound

There was so much she needed. Food for the dogs. Food—beyond peanut butter and jelly—for herself. She hadn’t had any sort of full meal since the breakfast Theo had made for her three days ago. And she needed gas for her car.

Staying at a hotel was out of the question—she couldn’t justify that expense since the weather was currently so mild. She and the pups had been staying in the shed over by the big house. It wasn’t nearly as comfortable as the original one near Theo’s cabin, but she couldn’t take a chance on him spotting her again. So she’d been putting up with the musty smell and space crowded with tools.

She looked over to find Becky watching her. “Theo said you were nothing short of amazing with Wildfire—calm, confident, competent.”

“Probably an overexaggeration.” Eva stuffed the envelope into her back pocket. “I don’t really need a bonus. I was glad I was here to help. I didn’t expect payment for it.”

But God, she hoped Becky wouldn’t want to take it back.

The other woman shrugged. “Keep it anyway. You saved Linear Tactical thousands of dollars by what you did. I’d be keeping it if it were me who’d been here. How’d you know what to do? I’ve never had a vet tech who knew how to handle dystocia without someone to at least walk them through it.”

“I, uh, happened to get lucky in some of my training and had experience.”

“Well, Theo said—and I quote—you werepretty fucking amazing. I’ve checked Wildfire and Ember both out myself, and they look picture-perfect.”

Eva nodded.Pretty fucking amazing. The thought that Theo had been so impressed by her skills warmed something inside her.

Not nearly as much as remembering that make-out session between the two of them at his house. That took her body way pastwarmand directly tohot.

She’d kissed him. She definitely hadn’t planned to. But hearing him once again not only affirm what had happened when he’d tackled her, but apologize for it…

He hadn’t tried to blame her or argue that she didn’t really know what happened, or that it was her fault she got tackled because she shouldn’t have been in the barn in the middle of the night anyway.

Even though it might have been true.

So, she hadn’t been able to stop herself from kissing him. And if it weren’t for the dogs interrupting them, she might have let a lot more happen between them.

She’d honestly thought passion was dead for her. That there was no way she could trust a man—or herself—enough to get physically close to someone again.

But somehow, wrapped in the warmth and unassuming intimacy on his couch, something had changed.

She’d seen him multiple times in the days since, but he’d been completely professional and polite. She wasn’t sure what that meant—if he was trying to make sure she had any space she needed or if he was trying to signalheneeded space.

“I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you’re here,” Becky continued. “This past week has taken such a load of stress off me.”

“Well, I’m loving being with animals again. I got a chance to observe one of the therapists yesterday working with a couple of kids in the Mad Zoo. They immediately relaxed once they were holding the rabbits. I couldn’t hear anything they were saying, but their body language completely changed.”

“Right? It’s amazing. I’ve been reading up more about how animals can help with PTSD.” Becky’s normally upbeat voice was tinged with sadness.

“Because of your friend?”

She let out a soft sigh and shrugged. “Yeah. I want to be ready to help him if he’ll ever let me. We all want to help him—Theo included.”

She looked over to find Sugar and Spice next to Theo at the barn door. He’d crouched down on the ground and was rubbing their bellies. And they were letting him.

Theo had been wooing them every time he’d seen them over the past few days. No matter what he was doing, he’d stopped and come over to them—approaching slowly and gently—and spent time praising and petting them. He couldn’t have any idea what it meant to her for him to do that. He was helping re-instill their trust in men.

Hell, he was helping re-instillhertrust in men just watching him be so patient and giving.

Made her want to kiss him again even more.

As if he could feel her thoughts, he looked up from the pups at that moment and locked eyes with Eva. She couldn’t have looked away if she wanted to. And she didn’t want to.

He didn’t say anything or motion in any way, just looked at her. From this distance, she could barely see his eyes. But she could feel them.Could feel those brown eyes as if he had her wrapped in his arms once again.

“Excuse me.” Becky jabbed Eva in the waist with her elbow. “What in the world is happening right now?”

Eva broke her gaze with Theo. “You were telling me what an amazing vet tech I am.”

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