Page 33 of Rescued Hearts

Some shuffled their feet and paused as they neared the table as if unsure whether or not they should sit. Gray threw Honor a look and surged forward to assist.

She did the same and pulled out several folding chairs for them to use while continuing to give them encouraging smiles.

Gray wheeled one man up to the end of the table. Catching her eye, he gave her another one of those intense looks that made her feel like he was scanning her soul.

Or waiting for her reaction to the vets?

With a breezy wave, she moved to the middle of the tables and held out her arms. The gauzy top she wore fluttered in the wind. “Welcome, everyone! My name is Honor.”

She gained nods and smiles, some more sure than others. A few didn’t look up from the table. Her heart went out to every single one of these brave men who had served their country.

She swept her attention to Gray, including him in her thoughts.

“Glad you’re all here. We’re going to keep things easy today. No pressure. Just keeping our hands busy.”

Gray’s presence grounded her in ways she never saw coming. Watching him talk to the guys gave her a feel for the link they had. Gray was softer here. Less guarded.

And she…

She was feeling a strong pull to put down roots, to be a steady presence in the lives of these veterans…and Gray too. Though she shook off the thought, it continued to surface.

As she explained what they’d be doing, Gray walked over to one man. He didn’t touch his shoulder but leaned close to speak. Whatever he said made the man chuckle and look straight at her.

To distract herself from thinking about what he said about her, Honor began handing out supplies. Wire for wrapping, pliers for bending the wire and beads for those with steadier hands.

As she gave a small demonstration of ways to work the wire into shapes, she noticed one man frowning at the beads like they were his mortal enemy. Seeing the two missing fingers on his right hand, she could see why.

She moved toward him and hovered near. “Hi. Not feeling the beadwork, huh?”

He shook his head and held up both of his hands, each missing a number of fingers that would make life a chore until he grew accustomed to his new situation.

“No worries.” She didn’t need to put the brightness in her tone—it just came out with her excitement about working with these men. She slid a spool of wire toward him. “I want you to try wrapping this instead. No tiny pieces, just strong movements. Less about finesse and more about control.”

He looked up at her, his gaze steady on her face. The intense way he studied her made her wonder if all military men had that same direct stare, as if they could see into her deepest self.

“What’s your name?” she asked him quietly.

“Bryce.”

“Nice to meet you, Bryce.” She picked up the wire and demonstrated how a simple curl could be formed into a flower petal.

To her delight, he reached for the spool, and she passed it to him. As she drifted away, Bryce got to work on the flower she started.

She wove through the group, watching and helping. Showing some how to string beads, helping others select designs. At the far table, Gray was busy at work too, all of his focus on the item he was making.

When she reached the man with the burned arms, she found he had adapted to his restrictions by using the heels of his hands to fold the wire into a unique shape. He’d even managed to feed half of it with a variety of beads and a few silver charms.

Honor paused next to him. “Is that a dreamcatcher?”

He gave her a nod, the ghost of a smile playing around his firm lips.

She started to reach out to touch his shoulder but pulled her hand back, respectful that some people might not welcome a touch. Instead, she offered murmured encouragement before lifting her eyes.

One man would welcome her hands on him, she knew firsthand.

Gradually, she made her way to Gray. When she first arrived at the ranch, he had walked out to greet her wearing a tan Stetson. The cowboy hat on Gray took her breath away and made her lower belly grip with desire.

It did the same to her now. She drank in his appearance and continued down the row of men diligently working, engrossed in their task. She paused at each to assist the men or offer encouragement.

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