Page 31 of Landon

“I’ll carry them,” Tad said. “Noel can help Penny.”

Noel jerked her gaze from Landon to the back seat, finding Tad's jaw set similarly to what she’d witnessed with Landon. Herheart squeezed, and she smiled. “Okay,” she said softly, dipping her chin toward the young man. Shifting her gaze to Penny, she said, “Looks like it’ll be you and me together, okay?”

Penny offered a forced smile in return. “Sure. Okay.”

Noel was once more impressed with the adaptability of the kids. She turned, her eyes locking onto Landon. This time, her attention was drawn to the subtle shift in his expression. His lips, usually set in a firm, no-nonsense line, were now softened, curving ever so slightly into the hint of a smile. The sight sent a flutter through her chest, and she fought the sudden, overwhelming urge to lean in, to bridge the small gap between them and see if his kiss would ignite the same spark, the same fire as before.

Her heart pounded as her gaze lingered on his mouth, remembering the rough, urgent way his lips had claimed hers earlier. Slowly, she lifted her eyes to meet his, and what she saw there stole her breath. His intense gaze locked onto her, holding her in place as though the storm outside had vanished, leaving only the charged space between them.

At that moment, she dared to hope—hope that he was thinking the same thing, feeling the same pull, the same longing. The tension crackled like electricity, the unspoken question hanging in the air.Would the next kiss be just as unforgettable?

15

Landon resisted the urge to fling open his door, instead easing it open with care to avoid jostling the SUV unnecessarily. His boots hit the rain-slicked road with a muted thud, and he took a steadying breath as the storm lashed against him. Rain pelted his face, and the wind howled around him, but it wasn’t the storm that had his pulse racing—it was the thought of Noel.

All he’d wanted to do was reach out, cup her face, and kiss her senseless.What the fuck is wrong with me?The thought gnawed at him, even as the rain soaked through his clothes. Sure, she was beautiful. That much was undeniable. But this pull, this visceral reaction every time he looked at her, was something else entirely. He prided himself on being in control, especially in situations like this. Yet with Noel, his usual discipline felt like it was hanging by a thread.

She wasn’t just a pretty face. From the moment she entered this chaotic mission, she’d shown resilience, adapting to every twist and turn without hesitation. She hadn’t flinched when he armed himself or suited up for action. And then, there was the moment when he’d been caught vulnerable—how she’d fired that shot, saving not only him but Penny and Tad too.Jesus, she hadn’t even fired a gun before.

The sound of the back door next to him opening jerked him out of his thoughts. He turned to see Tad climbing out, his body shaking with the wind but his expression resolute. Landon helped him down, then turned to assist Penny. His hands were steady as he lifted her gently, holding on as her feet landed on the slick road.

Remembering that he told them to get out on his side, he turned around to find Noel’s face before him. Noel had clambered over the console, her rain-drenched hair plastered to her face. She paused, balancing on her hands and knees, waiting for him to move aside. Her eyes met his, and for a heartbeat, the storm seemed to quiet.

“Sorry,” he mumbled, embarrassed that his thoughts had taken him away from what he needed to be focused on. Offering her a hand, he assisted her down.

“Thank you,” she said with a wobbly smile while blinking away the rain hitting her in the face. “My Cinderella chariot was getting wet, but it’s even wetter out here.” She moved around him and reached out to take Penny by the hand, guiding her toward the back of the vehicle.

He threw open the hatch, pulling out his bag of equipment. With practiced efficiency, he handed Tad another bag—one that carried food but no weapons. The boy took it with a solemn nod.

“Follow me,” he ordered before heading up the road. He continually glanced over his shoulder to ensure everyone was all right. Noel guided Penny, with Tad bringing up the rear. He led the way up the muddy road, the relentless wind and rain turning every step into a battle.

Noel walked beside Penny, her arm around the girl’s shoulders, offering steady reassurance. Tad trailed them, his face set with quiet determination. The boy’s bravery struck Landon. For someone so young, Tad carried himself with aprotector’s heart. Landon couldn’t help but respect the kid—Stan had raised him well.

Penny, despite her small size, pressed on with surprising strength. Landon noted her resolve, deciding she carried more of her grandmother’s grit than her mother’s flair. The thought gave him hope. They might be battered by the storm, but they’d get through this together.

With everyone falling in line and leaning into the wind, they made their way up the road until he could see the small structure off the side. The intel Sadie had sent made it look like it would be a good choice to wait out the storm. There was a narrow gravel path, and he had to lift the overhanging foliage out of the way. With each frond raised, he’d wait until Penny would pass under, and then Noel would take it from him, keeping it lifted for Tad.

Now, standing outside the small building, he glanced over his shoulder. “Stand back,” he ordered, pulling out his weapon. Knocking and receiving no answer, he shouldered the door open and, with a light in one hand and his gun in the other, swept the interior, finding it empty. It might have been a small home or waystation once, but it appeared to have been abandoned for years. There was no furniture, but at least the hard-packed dirt floor was blessedly dry.

Stepping inside to ensure no animals or varmints were around, he turned and called out, “Come on. It’s safe.”

Penny entered next, followed by Tad. Noel had stepped to the side before she brought up the rear. Once inside, her gaze swept the room before landing on him, and his heart stuttered as he waited to see what she would say about the rudimentary shelter.

She grinned. “Looks dry, and the wind can’t knock us around here.”

A release of breath left his lungs, pleased that she continued to adapt to the changes.

“These windows are boarded,” Penny whispered.

Landon realized they were like the room where she and Tad had been held, but Noel jumped in before he could say anything. She walked over and stood directly in front of Penny, placing her hands on the girl’s shoulders and pulling her in for a hug.

“Yeah, they are, sweetheart. But think of it this way… they aren’t here to keep you in… to keep you trapped. They’re boarded to keep you dry and safe with us.” Noel leaned back and held Penny’s gaze. “Right?”

Penny glanced at Tad before looking at Noel again. Then she nodded and let out a relieved breath. “Right.”

“Okay, then,” Noel said, stepping back and finding Landon. “What should we do to get settled for the evening? I assume it will be tomorrow before the storm stops, and someone can get the road cleared.”

He almost informed her that his people would get to them quicker than the Jamaicans could get the road passable. Instead, he nodded and said, “There’s a folded waterproof tarp in the bottom of the bag that Tad was carrying. Let’s set that up for us to sit on.”

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