Page 44 of Wyatt

She didn’t deserve this golden boy.

He had Wyatt’s strong jawline, his dimple on the right cheek, those long dark lashes and brown eyes flecked with the gold that made him a prince. And when she tickled him, his laughter embedded her bones with joy.

“Smotree!” he shouted now as he stood at the top of the slide.

“Sidee—” Sit.She patted the slide.

He grinned at her, eyes shining with a familiar mischief. But he sat and pushed himself off.

She caught him at the end, picking him up, twirling him around. “You’re so brave and strong.”Just like your daddy.

Mikka wiggled out of her arms, running toward the merry-go-round.

“He’ll be fine,” said Lana, standing behind her. The woman stood with her arms crossed over her body. “He’s a smart boy, and he’ll understand.”

Coco watched as he climbed onto the merry-go-round, holding onto the railing, pushing with one foot. “How can he? I don’t even understand.” She shook her head. “I hated my mother for moving us from Russia. And I was ten years old.Andhad recently nearly been kidnapped. I understood why my father sent me away.” She ran her hand over her cheek. “I still hated it. It wasn’t until she got sick that I forgave her. By then it was nearly too late. She died of leukemia when I was fourteen.”

Lana touched her arm. “She did what was best for both of you. And she saved your life.”

He was running now, trying to keep up with the spin.

“Mikka, be careful!”

He pulled himself onto the spinning ride.

“Maybe I should take him with me.” She glanced at Lana. Behind her, the smells of dinner—some sort of beef soup with fresh dill and potatoes—sneaked out of the kitchen. Probably it was better than what she’d feed him. She subsisted on ramen noodles and cold cereal.

“Where would you go?”

The answer came easily. “Montana. Back to the Marshall Triple M. It was the last time that I…” She swallowed. “The last time I felt safe.”

Lana said nothing.

“They have this big family. Reuben—he’s the oldest. He left home years ago, though, to fight fires. The next brother, Knox, took over the ranch. Tate is a couple of years younger—he was in the military. Wyatt plays hockey. And then there’s Ford.” She shook her head. “I saw him last month. He’s a Navy SEAL.”

“Spetsnaz.”

“Yeah.”

“Which one is Mikka’s father?”

Coco glanced at Lana. About her mother’s age, Lana wore a soft smile. “You never said who his father was, but I am guessing it’s one of those brothers.”

“Wyatt.”

Just admitting it felt like exhaling after being underwater.

“I fell in love with him nearly the first time I saw him and…”

“You still love him.”

She shrugged. “It doesn’t matter now. Wyatt doesn’t know about Mikka, and he never will.”

Mikka was hanging on now, throwing his head back, his hands and legs wrapped around the bar. Enjoying the ride.

Reminded her of Wyatt as he skated, so much enjoyment on his face it could fill her soul.

Or break it into pieces.

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