Page 67 of Montana Memory

She didn’t answer right away. Instead, she set the kittens down in their box after I placed it by the couch, watching asthey stretched and settled into a warm, sleepy pile. Her fingers brushed absently over the edge, but her mind was miles away.

I stepped closer. “Give it time,” I said, my voice steady. “Before you make any decisions about the antidote. Just…give yourself a chance first.”

She turned to look at me then, her brown eyes shadowed but searching. And after a long beat, she nodded. “Okay.”

“How about family dinner?” I tilted my head. “You in?”

“What is it?”

“The Resting Warrior gang all gets together to catch up, hang out, eat.”

Another pause. Then, finally, she nodded. “Yeah. I’m in.”

I didn’t let out the breath I was holding, but something in my chest eased.

Tomorrow, we’d take another step forward. And for now, that was enough.

Chapter 22

Jada

The front door of the Resting Warrior Ranch lodge loomed in front of me, warm light spilling from the windows, the sound of laughter and conversation slipping through the thick wood. It was supposed to be inviting. It only made my stomach clench tighter.

I needed an excuse. Any excuse.

“We could say I’m sick,” I murmured. “Or that you have a headache. Something contagious. No one wants the flu at a family dinner.”

Hunter, standing beside me, shifted his weight, his solid presence a frustrating mix of immovable and comforting. “Jada.” His voice was quiet but firm. “You’re not sick. Neither am I.”

He wasn’t getting it. I turned to face him, keeping my voice low, even though no one inside could hear us. “That’s not the point. I’m looking for an excuse to get us out of here.”

“Look, I’ve been to these dinners before, and they’re fun. Very low-key. Not formal at all.”

He thought I was concerned that I wouldn’t know what fork to use for a salad?

I curled my fingers into my jacket. “And when you went to these dinners before, had you ever kidnapped anyone at the table?”

His jaw twitched, but his green eyes stayed steady. “No.”

“Had you ever stalked one of the guests? Threatened them? Tried to force them to leave their entire life behind?”

A muscle ticked in his cheek. “No.”

I exhaled sharply. “Then maybe you see why it’s different for me.”

I wanted him to argue. Wanted him to tell me I was wrong. Instead, he did something worse. He reached out, slid his arm around my shoulders, and pulled me against him.

It wasn’t forceful. If I wanted to step away, I could. But I didn’t.

His body was warm, solid in a way that made me feel real, and for a second, I let myself lean into him, let myself pretend that being here wasn’t a terrible mistake.

“These people are good, Jada.” His voice was softer now, almost gentle. “They’re not waiting to ambush you. They’re not looking for revenge. And after the last couple of days…” He let out a breath, his fingers flexing slightly on my shoulder. “We could both use a little downtime.”

I wanted to believe him. But I knew better than to trust what I wanted.

I’d been thinking about that vial nonstop since Dr. Beckett had pressed it into my hand. Wondering if taking it was what I deserved.

The door swung open before I could sink any further.

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