Page 19 of Stolen Hearts

Rhae grabbed some jeans, a thermal T-shirt and boots, and went into the bathroom to change. As she dressed, she avoided looking at her reflection in the mirror. She didn’t want to see that terrible thing on her own face.

Hope.

Hope that Denver would be there. Hope that he wasn’t.

What was she doing anyway? She should stay in her room, turn in early.

In the other room, Navy let out a squeal of delight. With a fortifying breath, Rhae walked out to find her child on Willow’s hip. She had Navy’s little knit cap drawn over her head and her thick blanket thrown over her shoulder.

“We’re all ready.”

“I see that.” Rhae draped a quilted jacket over her arm and reached to take the baby as a way to distract herself from what she was about to walk into.

Navy tipped forward, arms out for her, and Willow transferred her over with a light laugh.

They walked out together, which Rhae was grateful for. As they crossed the lawn and circled the barn to reach the open spot where the bonfires were held, her heart picked up a beat. Denver couldn’t have been on the ranch long, but it shook her knowing that they could have crossed paths any moment, just like today.

“He probably won’t even show.”

Willow offered her a sympathetic look. “Last I saw, he was in the office.”

She jerked her head to pierce her friend in her stare. “Did you speak to him?”

“My lips were sealed.”

The bonfire was going full force, its orange flames leaping into the air. Waves of heat blurred the friendly faces of the men who sat around in a mish-mash of lawn chairs and even a couple old stumps.

The chair she usually sat in was left open for her, and she made a beeline for it while giving the group a quick scan for Denver.

He wasn’t here.

She felt her shoulders droop in relief and took her seat with Navy nestled in her lap. She avoided everyone’s gazes by fastidiously swaddling the baby in the blanket. The minute she finished, a set of masculine hands shot outward.

“I’ll take her for a while, Miss Rhae.”

She looked up into Kyle’s eyes and gave him a nod and smile.

He took the baby with care and anchored Navy in the crook of his arm, turning a little so she could stare with wide eyes at the flickering flames.

Talk was the same as always—ranch work, horses, fences that needed repaired. The quiet of the night settled over them, knitting them together tighter.

“All right, quit hoggin’ the baby. Hand her over.” Colt reached out to take Navy out of Kyle’s arms.

She couldn’t help the smile stretching over her face. They all loved Navy before they ever knew the truth.

They didn’t know she was family, just always treated her like it.

Her gaze darted to the corner of the barn and back to the group whenever someone shifted in their seat.

They were all there, the Malones and their wives and girlfriends. Carson and Layne were speaking in low tones, the firelight glimmering in their eyes that were filled with love whenever they looked at each other.

Oaks’s wife Shiloh was tucked against his side on the bench, a cozy plaid blanket draped over both of their legs. Colt and Gray were deep in conversation about some ranch equipment that had blown a gasket, while the women they loved, Aspen and Honor respectively, chatted about the upcoming wedding between Carson and Layne that would be taking place on the ranch very soon.

The baby made it to Oaks’s muscular arms. Rhae’s heart squeezed.

They all loved her. Maybe it was enough.

Laughter broke out near the fire, and Navy squealed with delight.

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