Page 238 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

Maddox spread his hands. “It’s looking that way.”

Pops tipped his head sideways, looking thoughtful. “You don’t sound convinced.”

“Brent Barrett was arrested today. He’ll be …” he swallowed “… questioned. Hopefully, we’ll get some answers.”

Addie could tell Maddox was tip-toeing around the subject. She looked him in the eye. “You mean interrogated.”

He didn’t flinch. “Yes.”

The air between them grew thick enough to cut.

Pop chuckled. “Trouble in paradise,” he said dryly.

The words flew at Addie like a match igniting brittle straw. “Pops, how many times do I have to tell you?” she exploded. “Maddox and I aren’t a couple!”

“You made that very clear a few hours ago,” Maddox said, his eyes turning to balls of ice.

Her voice rose. “Do we have to do this now? At the hospital?”

Maddox shook his head, his voice going flat. “Nope. We don’t.” He shot her a withering look. “In fact, we don’t have to ever discuss it again.” He stood.

Panic fluttered like a trapped butterfly against Addie’s ribs. “Where are you going?”

“To get some air,” he barked, striding away.

Addie growled, balling her fists. “He drives me crazy!” she lamented. Her eyes bugged when she saw the amused grin on Pops’ face. “You think this is funny?” Heat blazed over Addie to the point that she thought she might burst into flames. “You know what? I’m done talking about this!” She moved to stand, but Pops caught hold of her arm.

“Sit down,” he ordered.

She jerked. “What?” Her hair slung back. “I’m not ten.”

His eyebrows raised, wrinkling his forehead. “Oh, really? Then stop acting like it. Sit down,” he instructed in a tone Addie recognized well—his fatherly tone that told her she was about to get a lecture.

“Fine,” she huffed, her brows furrowing.

Pops laughed under his breath as he assessed her with perceptive eagle eyes.

“What?” She pushed her hair out of her face. Yes, she felt like a moron for losing her temper. The truth was, she was a wreck—so confused she didn’t know which way was up. Traitorous tears misted her eyes, but she dried them instantly as she gulped in a breath, holding her hands tightly in her lap.

Pops touched her hair. “Remember when Lou Ella and I went out of town for a weekend getaway? You were so upset that we left you and Corbin with a sitter.”

She remembered it well. It had only been a year after her parents had been killed. She had an intense fear, that if Pops and Gram left, something terrible would happen to them too. “Yeah,” she said warily when she realized he was awaiting her response. Where was this going?

He chuckled, remembering. “We were halfway to Jackson Hole, Wyoming when we got a call from Mary Bellamy. The poor woman was beside herself, telling us how you were sitting in her front yard under a tree in the same spot you were when we dropped you off, refusing to come in.” He shook his head. “You turned down all water and food she offered you.”

“I remember,” she countered.

“We turned around and came home.”

She rolled her eyes. “I know. I told you a gazillion times how sorry I was that I ruined your trip. Geez. I was a kid. Can we let it go already?”

He laughed, holding up a wrinkled hand. “I hold no grudge whatsoever. The only reason I’m bringing it up is because I’m looking at you right now, and I see that same stubborn girl who will hold her ground even if it hurts her to do so.” He gave her a look of reproof. “Mary was a nice woman. She would’ve taken good care of you had you given her a chance and not been sodetermined to prove your point. You love Maddox, and he loves you. Quit being so stubborn and give him a chance.”

She felt like her head would break into pieces. “You don’t get it, Pops. It’s not about my stubbornness, it’s about my—”fear, she was about to say, then stopped herself. It wasn’t stubbornness that kept her out under that tree all day, but fear. Her heart began to pound. Fear kept her and Maddox apart. She was afraid of losing him like she’d lost her parents. She was afraid of being left behind when he went on his jobs. She was afraid of giving her heart to him, not knowing how she’d survive if anything happened to him. When she thought he was dead, it had nearly been her undoing. How could she live 24/7 with that possibility hanging over her head?

“It’s about your what?” Pops prodded.

“Never mind.” She bit down on her lower lip, standing. “I don’t want to talk about this anymore. Can we just go and see Corbin, Delaney, and the baby now?”

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