Page 71 of The SEAL's Duchess
“Oh, right.” Ivy pressed her gloved hands together. “Please thank him for me.”
“I will. You sure you’re okay? You’ve been through a lot.”
“I’m fine,” Ivy waved her hand. The lie was bitter on her tongue.
Sarah nodded, clearly unconvinced but too kind to press. “If you need anything, my cell’s on twenty-four seven. I know what it’s like being new here—people underestimate how much Alaska throws at you.”
“Thank you,” Ivy said, meaning it.
“Someone’s saying goodbye.” Sarah jerked her chin upward.
Through the window, Ellie waved at her, small mitten flapping. Ryder raised one hand in goodbye, but his eyes held hers for a beat longer.
He saw her. Really saw her.
And that made it so much harder to leave.
She could turn around. Climb back in that truck. Let George handle this mess for once.
But too much depended on her getting this right. That had to matter more than what she wanted.
She waved back, then forced herself toward the hotel without looking back.
This was what she did—walk away. Pretend she didn’t want more.
But the lie caught in her throat.
It didn’t feel safe anymore. It felt like surrender.
Because everything real to her was sitting in that truck.
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The urge torun after Ivy, haul her close, burned through Ryder like a lit flare.
But Sarah yanked open the passenger door and slid into the truck, bringing a blast of glacial air with her.
He waved a hand. “Yeah, just leave the door open. It’s only twenty below.”
She slammed the door hard enough to rattle the frame. “Yeah. It’s freezing out there.” She stripped off her gloves and tucked them into her duty belt. “I don’t have long. Shift starts in twenty.”
Ryder suppressed a sigh. Ellie stood on his thighs, little hands locked on the wheel. “Voom voom!”
“Long enough for what?” This wasn’t going to be a casual chat. This was an interrogation. Sarah watched Elliedrivefor a second, something soft flashing across her face before it vanished. “Long enough for you to tell me what’s happening with Ivy.”
He looked away immediately, focusing on Ellie clutching the wheel instead of his sister’s too-perceptive gaze.
“Voom, Daddy!” Ellie bounced, knees flexing.
Sarah waited—occupational hazard of being a cop. She could out-wait anyone.
“Nothing’s happening.” He shot her a toothy smile.
Sarah snorted. “Right. And I’m the Queen of England.”
“Pretty sure that’s Ivy’s job.”
“Don’t be cute. You’re terrible at it. Always were.” She cocked her head, studying him. “You went after her last night. Didn’t come back. She hasn’t seen her brother this morning. You two…?”
