Page 14 of Stolen Hearts

The tap of boots on dry earth behind him alerted him that he wasn’t going to have any time alone to think things through. Oaks caught up to him fast.

He wasn’t surprised. Hell, nothing could surprise him anymore.

His older brother, second of the Malones, had always been Denver’s champion. When they were little, he stuck up for Denver, stood up to their asshole father. Shielded him.

It was one of the feelings that drove Denver to join the military. He never wanted to be too weak to stand up for himself again.

He filled his lungs to the point of bursting and whirled to face Oaks.

His brother stopped in his tracks. “What’s up, bro? You okay?”

He balled his fists. “How did this happen?”

A crease appeared between Oaks’s brows. “How did what happen?”

“How did Rhae end up here?”

He blinked. “Oh. We posted on theMilitary Timesfor a therapist. She applied and was a perfect fit for the program and for the ranch too.”

The lump in his throat felt as if it was comprised of toxic waste and battery acid. It burned, just like the pit of his stomach when he thought about Rhae holding that baby in her arms.

Oaks went on, oblivious to him coming apart at the seams. “She was looking for stability, a long-term position. We liked her. We hired her.”

He made it sound so goddamn easy. Didn’t he know none of this was easy?

No. He didn’t. No one did.

“What about her husband?” The words were jagged shards slicing up his throat. He felt himself bleeding out.

Oaks shifted his weight and thumbed his hat in a gesture Denver remembered well from their youth, one he saw whenever Oaks was ruffled or put on the spot.

“Do you know nothing about hiring people? We can’t ask whether or not she has a husband.”

The world stilled for him, narrowed to a laser point. “Have you seen him? Has he been around?”

Oaks shook his head. “Not that I know of.”

Denver clenched his jaw hard. “How long has she been here?”

“About six months. I don’t know her exact date of hire without looking at her file.”

“In all that time, no guy showed up to see her?” he pressed.

“Not that I’m aware of. I think someone would have mentioned a stranger coming to see our therapist, considering everyone on the ranch knows everyone else’s business. She’s barely left the property. Maybe twice, both for doctor appointments for Navy.”

“Navy?” He perked up at the name. “That’s what she named her daughter?”

“Cute, right?”

Of course. She must have had the baby with a military guy.

“She’s a therapist. If you have so many questions, you could go talk to her. I didn’t even know you knew each other.”

His stomach felt hollow. Why would she mention him?

He sliced his fingers through his hair. The longer strands of the civilian haircut shocked him a little less every day, but seeing Rhae again left him shaking inside.

Oaks watched him closely, concern spelled across his features.

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