Page 37 of Valor

Owen didn’t move. The guy was down for the count.

The crack in the windshield wasn’t bad and didn’t obstruct her view, so she didn’t pull over. Sheridan was only six miles away. They were almost there.

When she saw a sign for a general store combined with a gas station, she decided to pull in. She’d pick up some items for Bear first, then worry about filling the gas tank. She wanted to get dog food, dishes, and bottled water.

Doggie treats, too, if they had them.

She slowed and pulled into a parking space located on the far side of the building out of view. She also took the time to back into the spot. Scary, the way she was thinking like Owen.

When she killed the engine, Bear popped up, anxious to get out of the truck. Owen still didn’t move, and she debated between letting him sleep or waking him up.

She pushed open her door and slid out. Then she reached for Bear, who wiggled with excitement at the idea of running around. She set him down, leaving her driver’s side door open so it wouldn’t get too hot in the car, then followed Bear as he ran toward a grassy area to get busy.

“Good boy!” Since she didn’t have a treat, she walked around until she found a stick, then tossed it for him. The pup chased after it, gnawing on the end before finally bringing it back. She threw the stick three more times, then headed back to the truck.

Reluctant to wake Owen, she checked her pocket. All she had was ten bucks. With a wince, she opened Owen’s door, smiling when he still didn’t move. She didn’t like invading his personal space, but she carefully pried open his front right pocket just enough to find some cash. Seeing the bills folded inside, she gingerly pulled them free.

Owen awoke with a start, reaching out to snag her hand to hold her in place. He stared up at her as if he’d never seen her before.

“Sorry, I was just going to borrow some cash to get food for Bear.”

“That’s fine.” His voice was low and husky. When he didn’t release her hand, she tilted her head to the side.

“Something wrong?”

“Nope.” A half smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he pulled her close and kissed her.

CHAPTERTEN

Owen had initially been confusedwhen he’d awoken to Emily leaning over him. For a moment, he was back in the cabin, gazing up at her as she tended his wound. He’d wanted to kiss her then too.

So he’d given in to the near constant urge to kiss her. His original thought was to taste her sweet mouth one last time. To carry the memory of their time together with him for the rest of his life on this earth. But he’d underestimated the impact of their embrace. Heat erupted between them, fueling needs he’d thought long dead. He drew her in closer, wishing desperately for something he couldn’t have.

It seemed like another lifetime that he’d kissed a woman, much less one as sweet and beautiful as Emily. He’d never felt this way for anyone else. Not even the woman he’d once considered marrying. He wanted to kiss her forever, but he’d chosen a different path.

The wrong one? Maybe. But it was too late to turn back now.

Emily broke off from their embrace looking adorably flustered. “I—um, Bear is trying to crawl up my leg.”

He chuckled, the sound foreign in his ears, and used the seat lever to bring himself into a sitting position. Emily took a step back and bent to pick up the puppy. The dog wiggled against her, licking her chin, then attempted to jump from her arms into his lap.

“Watch him for a minute.” Emily set the puppy into his arms. “I’ll get the food and dishes.”

He frowned. “Wait, let me give you some cash.”

Her cheeks went pink. “I already have some.” Without saying anything else, she turned and hurried into the store.

His nap hadn’t helped as much as he’d hoped. Sheer exhaustion still made his limbs feel like lead. After scrubbing his hands over his face, he slid out of the car and set Bear down on the ground. The dog galloped away, tail swaying from side to side and ears flapping.

He followed the pup to a grassy area where he did his thing, then began to sniff with an intensity that made Owen think Bear could be a great scent tracker. Imagining Emily training the dog with the other K9s at the search and rescue ranch made his heart ache. That was a future far out of his reach.

And it surprised him how much he suddenly longed for a normal everyday life. One without guns, drugs, bad guys, and hiding out. If only?—

Enough. He couldn’t keep second-guessing his decisions like this. He’d lost his entire family in a matter of months. He’d made the only choice he could at the time.

Besides, they were here now, and all he could do was move forward while fulfilling his promise to keep Emily safe.

He scanned the parking lot as he threw a stick for Bear, smiling as the dog pounced on it with excitement, as if he’d won the grand prize at the state fair.

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