Page 6 of Fearless Protector
“I think we don’t need any rules.”
“Caveman.”
“Grandma.”
She rolled her eyes and tamped down the little part of her that loved the idea of him taking control. It was exhausting to keep a strangling grip on everything. “Let’s see how good those steaks are tonight, then I’ll consider it.”
He looked thoroughly excited about the challenge. “Deal.” Sticking his hand out to shake on the agreement, he grinned wildly. Nick had the exuberant spirit of a child wrapped beneath his muscle-clad exterior. His lack of structure and the way he craved a bit of chaos scared her. But being accurately labeled an emotional grandma in her twenties was frightening too. She’d be scared either way, so she might as well get in the car with him.
CHAPTERTHREE
Nick
“It’s late,” Cleo said, checking her watch and looking pensive as they pulled up to the farm. “They’ve probably already had dinner and are putting Sammy to bed. We should wait until tomorrow.”
“Brian is putting a rush on the DNA, and you and I are leaving in the morning. It’s better to get this over with.”
“Let me do the talking,” Cleo said, stepping ahead of him the way she did in these moments. And he let her because the view from behind was just too damn sweet.
“Eventually, you’re going to realize just how good I am in these moments,” he leaned in and whispered in her ear, watching her blink slowly as she took in his words.
“Maybe, but that day is not today.”
“What the heck,” Sammy said as he swung the door open and appraised them. “I thought you went to Boston.”
“We were supposed to,” Cleo said, patting his head gently as Ronnie stepped up behind him.
“You’re still here?” she asked, excitement melting quickly into worry as she stared at them. “What’s the matter?”
“Nothing,” Cleo said reassuringly. “There was weather in Boston that kept the flight grounded there. But then we got a call from Brian, and he asked us to do one more thing for him.” She offered a knowing look, and Ronnie nodded.
Carter came around the corner and read the situation perfectly. “Hey, kiddo, we’re on chapter six, time to go see what happens to the wizards.”
“Three chapters?” Sammy asked, holding up his little fingers and pleading with puppy dog eyes.
“Two,” Carter countered as he ushered the boy away. “Maybe three. Probably three.”
“He always caves.” Ronnie laughed, but her face fell serious. “You told them about the rumors here?”
“We did,” Nick said apologetically.
Cleo cleared her throat. “You know that threat assessments and playing a good game of chess is how things roll when the stakes are high. Nobody wants any surprises down the line.”
“I totally get it.” She nervously nibbled her thumbnail. “What do you need from me?”
Cleo pulled out the small plastic bag and handed it over. “Everything you need is in there. The directions are easy. Cheek swab. It’ll be a couple days before we get results.”
“Those days of not knowing will be nice.” Ronnie sighed.
This was where Cleo faltered. She could break down every analytical step of complex situations. But the emotion, the nuance of relationships, seemed to be elusive.
“Nora and Carmen are in your corner,” Nick said, his hand on Ronnie’s shoulder. He’d only ever had little brothers. His sister had her act together early on and hardly ever needed a pep talk. This was uncharted territory. He looked her in the eye and meant every word of what he was about to say. “You are their sister. There have been years lost already. They’re committed to making sure you’re good. No matter what these tests say. They are proud of you.”
Ronnie sniffled and looked away. “I just feel bad that Nora worked so hard and so long to get me off this farm, and now I’m here to stay.”
“We all have our paths,” Nick chuckled. “And I happen to believe there’s nothing that can keep us from them. Look at you three,” he gestured down the hall where Carter and Sammy had gone. “You’re exactly where you are meant to be, and if they could see you now, they’d know it.”
“Thanks,” Ronnie said, clutching the DNA kit to her chest. “I’ll get this taken care of right away.”