Page 18 of Walking the Bird

“The team of Special Forces you mean?” Melinda spat back, pushing the turn signal down and slowing the car.

“How’d you know?”

“Not my first time dealing with men like them.”

Melinda parked the SUV and helped the children from the back seat. Flashing her badge to the attendant, she was handed over VIP passes. Ashton and Parker headed straight for an ice cream stand just inside the entrance. Glancing at Cade for permission, she offered her badge again, giving each child their desired treat.

“So, Cade,” Melinda began as she savored her favorite lime slushy and watched the three boys as they pointed to the giant turtle behind the enclosure. “What is it you do when you’re not wrangling young children?”

Pausing his snapping of photos of the boys, Cade turned to Melinda just as she dipped her tongue into the frozen concoction. “I um…” he swallowed, pushing away the fantasy of where he’d like her to put her tongue next. “I own an Equine Therapy facility.”

“Seriously? You work with horses?”

“I do,” Cage admitted proudly. “And veterans mostly. Although we did have a fifteen-year-old graduate last month.”

Tossing her cup into the trash, the lime flavor trumped by her true love. “Had I known you enjoyed horses, I would have suggested a ride on the beach. I could have arranged to have several brought to the resort property.”

Cade smiled as an idea popped into his head, “Actually, tonight is my night off from babysitting duty. How about you and I grab some dinner, and then do a little riding along the beach after?”

Melinda dropped her gaze to the laces of her shoes, the sting of anxiety filling her chest. “I’m sorry, I can’t tonight.”

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