She set the box on the kitchen counter. “In a minute, buddy.”
“Please?” He wrapped both arms around her leg, face tilted up with that grin that made her think of her father.
She’d had the dream again last night. The one of him on shore.
Except this time, she heard his words.“I’m proud of you.”
She’d woken up with a start, her heart thundering, but a deep sense of calm had poured over her.
Maybe it was just a dream. But it felt like enough.
In fact, she could breathe again, it seemed. And now Gabe was moving in next door—wasn’t that a twist? But apparently, until they tracked down Sloan, Jericho and Gabe wanted everyone where they could see each other.
Orlando came running in, his nails clicking on the hardwood. He’d appointed himself security detail since they’d started moving Gabe and Sunni in this afternoon. Smart dog. Even with Mars in custody, Wilder was still out there somewhere, with Sloan Sorros hunting him.
And she wouldn’t put it past the man to show up here.
“Daniel, I think Orlando wants to play.” Malachi appeared in the doorway, jacket dusted with snow. He reached into his pocket and tossed him a ball. “Go throw it for him.”
Daniel grabbed the ball and scampered out to the great room.
Malachi set a box on the counter. “You’re really going to join the sheriff’s department?” he asked Harley.
“Deke needs a detective. I have my police creds.” She shrugged. “Feels like a good fit.”
“So you’re saying yes to staying?”
Outside, Daniel had donned his winter gear and now chased Orlando through the front yard as twilight deepened. Jericho and Hudson stood talking by the Bowie truck they’d used to move everything. Jericho stood, hands on his hips, watching the fading sunlight slide across the whitened lake.
Like he owned the place or something.
Such a familiar and longed-for moment, it nearly made her ache with joy. “Definitely.”
“Excellent. I’m hoping you know how to make your mom’s cookies.”
She stared at Malachi, then laughed. “I could probably figure it out.”
They walked outside and she met Hudson as he carried in another box. “This one is marked books,” he said. “Seriously? I didn’t think five-year-olds could read.”
“They’re mine,” Sunni said, coming outside, Gabe behind her.
Gabe took the box. “Someday Sunni is going to be a famous author.” He winked at her.
“Clearly, she’ll have a lot of material,” Jericho said as Gabe went inside.
“When did you get back from town?” Harley asked Jericho.
Jericho smiled. “What you mean is ... what did Moose say?”
She shrugged. “You’d make a decent PI.”
He laughed. “Yes, Moose said yes.”
She held up her fist. He bumped it. “I knew he would. Bowie’s Copper Mountain’s K9 SAR Service is open for business.”
“Not quite but soon. And it’s just a branch of Air One, so I don’t need my name on it.” He pulled her close by her lapels, bending to kiss—
“Auntie Hawley?” Daniel came running up. “Are you staying here with us?”