Page 46 of Stolen Hearts

Navy squirmed in his arms, and he bounced her against his chest. She let out a giggle that broke the pressure. Both of them looked at their daughter.

Rhae leaned forward, lowering her head into her trembling hands.

He dropped to his knees in front of her. Now that Navy was within reach of her momma, she tipped toward her.

Rhae took the baby into her lap and cuddled her close. Denver placed a hand on each of them—the most precious things in the world.

“We’re not letting him spoil your birthday. That’s why we’re sticking to the plan. We’re going out to dinner. Navy will stay with Auntie Willow. She spent ten minutes telling me all about the baby activities she has lined up for her.”

Rhae let out a watery laugh. “Besides block towers, movies and a dance party?”

“It’s changed to three Disney movies, coloring books and crayons and a bedtime routine tighter than most military ops.”

She laughed again, the sound snuffling. “Leave it to Willow.”

“I already have Carson running point, and now that we have a new development, I’ll make sure the rest of my family is on high alert.” He traced the curve of her cheek with the pad of his thumb. “We’ve got this, Rhae.”

“I don’t know…” She stared down at Navy in her lap.

He wrapped his arms around them both and pulled them close. “It’s going to be fine. You deserve a birthday dinner. A night off the ranch, just the two of us.”

She stayed pressed against his chest for a beat, fingers twisting in his shirt. Then she nodded slowly. “Okay. I’ll go.”

He exhaled. “Good. Let’s get ready then and take Navy to the house.”

As she chose a dress to wear and slipped into the bathroom, he took Navy into the living room. While the baby crawled around, his mind returned to the damn flowers. A veiled threat.

And why hadn’thethought to send her flowers for her birthday? The irritation in his chest was like a dozen sharp blades, slicing back and forth through the air.

Checking that the bathroom door was still closed, he placed a quick call to Carson. “Heads-up,” he said in a low voice the second the call connected. “We’ve got a situation. Flowers showed up at Rhae’s office from Ravencroft.”

“Shit. I’ll bump up patrol. Are you still headed to Prairie Ember for dinner?”

“It took some convincing on my part, but yes. She’s getting ready now, then we’ll bring the baby to the house. Keep extra eyes on Navy and Willow tonight.”

“On it. Don’t worry about a thing.”

“Send someone to get the flowers out of Rhae’s office and run forensics on them.”

“Got it.”

“Thank you.” His gaze fell on the baby, sitting on the floor innocently playing with a rubber cow.

“I got your six, bro.”

The words brought a lump to Denver’s throat.

“And Denver? You’re doing the right thing taking her out to dinner despite what happened. She can’t live in fear and hide.”

“I know.” He ended the call. At that moment, the bathroom door opened. Navy heard it and crawled at Mach speed across the floor, which made him laugh.

Rhae stepped out, and he sobered, his cock twitching at the sight of her dressed up in a fitted blue dress that enhanced the color of her eyes. Her hair hung in loose waves just below her collarbones, shiny and soft, a beacon for him to touch it. To thread his fingers into the locks and kiss her until she was shaking.

She came forward, smiling at the baby, and picked her up.

He sauntered over to her. “Your momma looks beautiful, doesn’t she, Navy?” he said.

Her eyes pooled with emotion. “And your daddy is the most handsome man on earth.”

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