Page 61 of Relentless Hearts
“Think it’s my turn, and I don’t mind going.” Gray glanced around the table. “Honor will enjoy some extra time with Felicity anyway. She’s been worried about her since the bookstore’s been struggling so much.”
Willow made a note on her pad to invite Felicity for a girls’ night.
Carson dipped his head toward Gray. “That works. Team’s getting smaller with you and Denver both out, but it’s not a huge problem. Denver will be back from his honeymoon in ten days.”
“Speaking of coverage,” Willow continued, pulling up her color-coded schedule, “we need to talk about the most important job while Denver and Rhae are gone—watching Navy.”
Several nights ago, she’d created a rotation schedule that would ensure the toddler was never without supervision while still allowing everyone to maintain their other responsibilities.
“I’ve got everyone on shifts, and we’ll take turns taking Gray’s shift.” She started passing around the printouts she made with the calendar split into hourly blocks. “Carson, I gave Layne shorter shifts since she needs her rest. Third trimester is exhausting enough without chasing a one-year-old around.”
Willow held out a sheet to Decker. Even though their hands never touched, she swore she felt energy jolt between them. Quickly, she tugged her gaze away from his ruggedly handsome face.
Oaks studied the schedule, then set it aside. “We need to discuss the therapy program too.”
Decker straightened in his seat at the mention of the program as Oaks continued.
“We’re getting more applicants than we can handle. Willow mentioned that someone called the other day, but she couldn’t reach them to place them on the waiting list. We’re going to need more space for residents soon.”
“A new building?” Theo asked.
“That’s in the back of my mind, but that would take months to cut through the red tape of permits. And breaking ground before spring thaw is out of the question. The program’s growing faster than we anticipated.”
“How about doubling up on some of the resident rooms? Surely some won’t mind a roommate,” Willow suggested.
Oaks’s crooked grin had her on instant defense. “I have a suggestion about freeing up one room. Decker could share a room with someone here in the house.” Oaks looked directly atWillow, his expression far too innocent. “Then she won’t have to do the walk of shame every morning when she thinks no one sees her.”
Decker stilled.
Embarrassment flamed across Willow’s cheeks. “I do not do a walk of—”
“You absolutely do,” Theo interrupted, chuckling. “Yesterday morning, you were wearing Decker’s shirt while trying to sneak in.”
Decker groaned, and Willow buried her face in her hands, mortified. But as the teasing continued around the table, she realized something strange was happening. Her brothers weren’t angry or protective or threatening. They were…happy for her.
She looked up at them. “You all actually like him. You love Decker.”
“He’s good for you,” Carson said simply. “We can see it.”
“You could’ve had this all along if you’d been interested in decent guys,” Oaks pointed out. “Instead of those pretty-boy losers who couldn’t change a tire, let alone protect our sister.”
“There will be no other guys in the future.” Decker’s quiet statement carried a certainty that made Willow’s stomach flip. The possessive edge in his tone sent awareness spiraling through her.
She closed her laptop and looked around the table. Despite her brothers’ teasing, she felt as if she was finally finding some balance. Now she had a partner to share her burdens with.
Whatever challenges lay ahead, they’d face them together.
* * * * *
The cold Wyoming air bit at Decker’s face as they left the warmth of the security office. Their breath formed small clouds that dissipated quickly in the morning.
Willow walked beside him in silence, her hands shoved deep in the pockets of the oversized flannel that did nothing to diminish how beautiful she looked.
When they reached the barn entrance, she stopped and faced him, studying him with those gray eyes that always seemed to see too much.
She got right to the point. “Well? What do you think about what my brother said? About you moving into the house with me?”
The question hung between them, weighted with implications that went far beyond just sharing a bedroom. This was about commitment, about declaring to her family—and each other—that this wasn’t temporary or casual.
