Page 49 of Stolen Hearts

She stacked up some blocks for Navy, who crawled back over just to knock them down. Chuckling, Rhae returned to her notes, scribbling a few on one of her earlier sessions that morning.

Another knock came at the door, softer this time. She could almost guarantee by that knock who would open the door.

And she was right. Kyle poked his head in, a shy smile on his lips. “Hey, I saw the time. It’s almost Navy’s naptime.”

“Yup.” She waved. “Come in.”

He went straight to pick up the baby, who was already crawling toward him. “Hey, peanut. How are you today?” he asked her with a gentle smile on his face. He immediately moved to the sofa and Rhae went to fetch her bottle.

While he fed her, he patted Navy’s back. Rhae’s heart always melted whenever she watched one of the big tough guys fall over the nine-month-old.

Pat, pat, pat.His hand thumped in a light rhythm. “She always falls asleep when I pat her.”

“That’s because you’re so good at it.”

As usual, Kyle began to talk in a low voice, telling Navy about his day…and more. The telling of a battle and a friend lost brought tears to Rhae’s eyes. She ducked her head so he couldn’t see, busy taking notes.

The baby slumped in his hold, her lips slowing around the bottle nipple.

The door creaked open, and a low voice rippled through the space. “I didn’t know you had someone scheduled. It wasn’t on your calendar.” Denver stood there, his stare locked on Kyle and Navy.

Rhae looked up, brows raising. He checked her calendar for times to pop in and see her?

“I didn’t. Kyle’s helping with naptime. We don’t really do appointments here. Sometimes the guys stop by to chat. Or hold the baby.”

Kyle looked down at the sleeping Navy, and he smiled. “Therapy baby.”

Denver pushed off the doorframe, his expression snapping closed like a vise. “Okay. I’ll see you at dinner.” Without another word, he left.

Silence trailed in his wake.

Navy started sucking again, and Kyle returned to talking about his past. Calm and comfortable.

Rhae stared at the door, a distant portion of her mind on Denver’s reaction.

Kyle shifted, settling Navy more deeply into his chest. “Is he the one?”

Rhae blinked at his sudden question. “What?”

He grinned. “You’ve got that look. Like the world’s a little less heavy today.”

She didn’t answer. The warmth in her chest said enough.

Kyle’s voice softened. “I used to have someone like that.”

Rhae remained quiet, letting him talk.

“She didn’t wait. When I deployed, she thought I wouldn’t come back. I did, but I wasn’t the same. I wasn’t mad at her. Just…sad, I guess.”

“I’m sorry,” Rhae said gently.

He shrugged. “That’s life, right? But Navy…” He looked down at the sleeping baby, brushing a finger along her cheek. “She helps.”

Rhae smiled, touched in places she hadn’t realized were still raw.

He stayed a while longer, then gently passed Navy back to Rhae and slipped out, leaving her with a quiet office and a full heart.

She looked down at her daughter, sleeping so peacefully in her arms, and whispered, “You’ve got a whole army behind you, baby girl.”

---