Viper held out his hand, anxious to relieve the woman of the shotgun. “Mind if I take that shotgun for now?”

Melissa Fuller sighed. “Not at all.” She ejected the shells, cleared the barrel and handed over the empty weapon.

Viper glanced around the shop with the glass cases full of tarts, cookies, cakes and pie. “Do you mind if I put this somewhere safe?”

“Not at all,” Melissa said. “Make yourself at home.”

Viper stepped behind the counter and into the back room where he leaned the shotgun into a corner. He returned to the front and inhaled the scent of confectionary sugar and cake.

Melissa planted her hands on her hips. “Tim makes me so mad I could spit nails.”

“Apparently,” Dallas commented. “What did he do that made you want to shoot him?”

“The son-of-a-” Mel covered her mouth with her hand. “Sorry. The fool proposed again.”

Dallas’s brows shot up into the hair hanging over her forehead. “He what?”

Melissa rolled her eyes and entered the bakery. “He asked me to marry him.”

“And that made you mad?” Dallas shook her head.

“Yes. The divorce has been final for over a month, and he came traipsing into the bakery, armed with flowers and my old engagement ring.” She turned back to Dallas and Viper, her eyes filled with tears. “What was I supposed to do? Say yes?”

Viper could think of better ways to let down the guy than to threaten him with a shotgun, but he kept his opinion to himself and let her continue.

“He accused me of cheating, something I would never do. If he knew me at all, he’d know it was the truth.”

“Why did he think you cheated?”

“Because I talked to my old high school sweetheart when he came back into town. We had dinner to catch up on old times. He was feeling down because his wife left him. I helped him through a rough patch. That dinner was it. The man isn’t interested in me any more than I’m interested in him. I’m married, for heaven’s sake.” She swiped at the tears slipping down her cheeks. “Was married.”

Dallas snagged a tissue from a box on the counter and handed it to Melissa. “Are you all right?”

Mel flung a hand in the air. “No, I’m not all right. The crux of the matter is that I still love the dumbass.” She sniffed loudly and blew her nose. “And to make matters worse…” Her bottom lip trembled, and more tears spilled from her eyes. “I’m pregnant.”

Viper started to ask if it was Tim’s baby, but he bit back the words. From what Melissa was saying, it was and asking her could possibly get him shot. “Does Tim know?”

“No. You two and my doctor are the only ones who know. I don’t know why I told you.” She frowned heavily. “Don’t tell Tim. I don’t want him coming back to insist I remarry him because of the baby.”

“But you just said you loved him,” Dallas pointed out.

“I do. But he hasn’t learned anything. I can’t take him back until he knows how important controlling his temper is. I won’t have my baby growing up in a house where we’re always yelling at each other.”

“Or pointing weapons at people we love?” Dallas said with a gentle smile.

When she looked at Melissa like that, she made Viper wish she looked at him. Who knew the tough Ranger girl could be as gentle and caring as she was?

Viper knew. He’d seen beyond the façade she’d erected to bluff her way past her male Army counterparts. But deep down, she was empathic, kind and caring. And she’d hate it worse than anything if he pointed out the fact.

Being raised by her father and then entering the Army, going through the extreme training she’d endured, made hiding that side of her second nature.

“Hey, come have a seat.” Dallas led Melissa to one of the bistro tables in the bakery. She urged the pregnant woman to sit on the small chair and then she sat across from her. “Has Tim abused you in any way?”

Melissa jerked back her head. “No, of course not. He beat up Rob, my old high school sweetheart after we had dinner. Rob suffered a few cuts and bruises but, thankfully, he didn’t press charges. Tim’s never raised a hand to me or hurt me in any other way than to call me a liar and a cheat.” She smiled through the tears. “If anything, I’m the one who could have hurt him.” She laughed, the sound catching on a hiccup. “Besides threatening to shoot him with a shotgun, I squirted him with ketchup one time when we got into an argument. The sauce stained his favorite shirt.” She looked at Dallas, her eyes rounding. “Oh, God. I’m as bad as he is. Maybe worse.”

The bakery owner buried her face in her hands. “Why am I such a mess?”

Dallas slipped into the one across from Melissa.

Viper sat beside the distraught woman. “You’re fine. And arguing isn’t a bad thing. My folks would have shouting matches at least once a quarter. If they didn’t, then we started to worry. They’ve been happily married for thirty-five years.”

“They shout?” Melissa asked, her tears slowing. “Loudly?”

Viper nodded. “Loud enough the neighbors once called the sheriff. They all had a good laugh later, after everyone calmed down.”

Shaking her head, Melissa sighed. “I didn’t cheat on him. But he never apologized for accusing me.”

“Will you take him back?” Dallas asked.

“Probably,” Melissa said. “I miss him. And I want my baby to have a father.” Her lips firmed. “But he has to apologize first.” She placed her hands on the table and pushed to her feet. “But now, you two are here because you’re getting married.” She smiled. “Are you sure you want to, after witnessing what marriage can make you do?”

Viper grinned. “We’re pretty committed to this adventure.”

Melissa wiped her face with the tissue, tossed it into the trash and squared her shoulders. “Then let’s plan the food for the reception. I promise I’m not a flake. I’m hormonal and weepy, but I can make a beautiful wedding cake and cook a mean brisket and barbecue ribs.”

Viper laughed, amazed the woman had the time to do both. “Those sound amazing.”

“Good. All I need is the number of guests you expect and what sides you’d like to go with the barbecue.”

The wedding guests would include all of the Brotherhood Protectors and their women, and the veterans from the Brighter Days Ranch. Hank had given him the list of names, and Dallas had added her list to come up with a total number that would make sense to anyone on the outside observing their efforts.

In between helping customers with cakes and cookies, Melissa worked with Viper and Dallas to develop a menu for the wedding reception. Then she handed them a book with pictures of wedding cakes and asked them to decide on one.

Viper let Dallas choose the design and was surprised when she chose the same one he’d been considering. The cake was simple but elegant, with three layers, buttercream frosting and white and pale, rosy-pink accent flowers.

By the time they concluded their meeting, the afternoon had waned.

Viper stood and helped Dallas to her feet. His cellphone vibrated in his pocket. When he pulled it out, he noted Hank’s name on the screen. He answered immediately.

“Need you at the Blue Moose as soon as possible,” Hank said without preamble.

“On our way.” Viper thanked Melissa and hooked Dallas’s arm.

Once outside, Dallas frowned up at him. “What’s wrong?”

Viper opened the passenger door of his truck. “Hank called. He wants us at the Blue Moose Tavern ASAP.”

“Did he say why?” she asked as she slipped into the passenger seat.

“No.” Viper closed the door and hurried around to the driver’s side. They could have walked, but he wanted his truck close in case they needed to leave quickly. Only a minute or two passed in the time it took to drive the short distance from the bakery to the tavern. Vehicles were parked all around the building and down the side alleys. “Looks like this is the place to be for dinner.”

“I’ve only been here a couple of times, but these are the most vehicles I’ve seen out front,” Dallas noted.

“I wonder what’s going on. Must be something important for Hank to want us here.” Viper got out and met Dallas at the front of the truck. He entered the tavern first. If there was trouble inside, he didn’t want Dallas hurt.

The inside of the tavern was dimly lit with lamps hanging over each table, making them more intimate.

The people gathered around the bar all had mugs of beer, but they were silent until Viper entered with Dallas close behind.

Then a loud cheer went up, and everyone in the room yelled as one, “Surprise!”

Viper shielded Dallas’s body with his for a full second until he realized Hank’s team had come together to celebrate his and Dallas’s upcoming wedding. His heart swelled at the thoughtfulness of the group of men he was just beginning to get to know. Not only were the men there, their women had come, as well.

Swede handed him a beer and winked. “Go with it,” he said. “Chuck had the idea to throw the party. Blame him.”

Chuck, the oldest of Hank’s men, pushed through the crowd, a dark-purple shiner marring his face and bandages covering one hand. He enveloped Viper in a bear hug. Then he swept Dallas into his arms and crushed her.

“We’re glad to see you out of the hospital already,” Viper said.

Chuck grinned. “Had to twist the doc’s arm to make him sign my release.”

Dallas laughed and pounded Chuck’s back. “I’m sure you’re exhausted. You shouldn’t have gone to all this trouble.”

“Maybe I shouldn’t have,” Chuck said with a wink, “but we can always use a good excuse to get together.”

She leaned back and studied his face. “Are you sure you’re up to all this excitement after nearly being killed?”

He shrugged and grinned. “Just another day in my life.”

One by one, the team introduced themselves to Dallas.

Boomer carried his baby girl, Maya, on his arm. “This is Maya, and you met my fiancée, Daphne, at Taz’s wedding.”

“I did.” Dallas shook hands again with Daphne and smiled up at Maya.

Kujo, former Delta Force, introduced his fiancée, FBI special agent Molly Greenbriar. His dog, Six, nudged his way between their legs, looking for attention.

Dallas looked to Kujo. “May I pet him?”

Kujo nodded. “Go ahead.”

Squatting beside the German Shephard, Dallas held out her hand for the dog to sniff before she ventured closer to scratch behind the dog’s ears.

Not only was she good with babies, she appeared to love dogs. Viper was having feelings for his partner that had nothing to do with friendship and more to do with the heat building in his loins.

He gulped down the beer and held out his hand for another. A long, cold shower was in his near future, or he wouldn’t get any sleep again that night.

Hours later, Dallas leaned back her head against the seat in Viper’s truck, smiling.

“What are you smiling about?” Viper asked.

“I can’t believe Chuck pulled everyone together on such short notice, after just being released from the hospital.”

“Knowing Chuck, he made all the arrangements from his hospital bed. Not much keeps that man down.”

“To honor us with the celebration was really nice of them.” Her smile slipped as guilt filled her gut. “The get-together was fun, but I feel like such a fake.”

“Every one of the Brotherhood Protectors would do anything for each other. And they would absolutely understand the need for complete silence on this particular mission.”

“I know.” She tilted her head sideways, a nice alcohol-induced buzz making her more relaxed and talkative. “They reminded me of what being a member of a military unit felt like. Everyone looking out for everyone else.”

Viper’s mouth pressed into a tight line. “Is that how your unit was for you?”

Dallas sighed. “That’s how my peers were before I signed up for Ranger training. And that’s how the men were to each other on the Ranger team I was assigned to.” She shook her head. “Not to me. Some weren’t ready to accept a female amongst them. I was their Achilles heel.”

“I call bullshit,” Viper said. “Male or female, we’re on the same team. You went through the training just like they did and earned the right to wear the patch. They shouldn’t have ostracized you just because you don’t have a dick.”

A chuckle rose up her throat. “I’d look awfully funny with a dick.”

Viper’s lips curved upward. “You’re drunk.”

“Maybe a little. But mostly just feeling good about the organization I belong to now. Hank’s got a good thing going with the best of the best. I’m honored to be a part of it, even if I don’t have testicles.” She giggled.

“I, for one, am glad you are female.”

“Oh yeah?” she countered, her heart fluttering in her chest. “Why?”

“I’d feel silly kissing a guy dressed as a bride.”

Dallas burst out laughing.

Viper frowned. “Not that I have anything against guys who like guys, but I’m not one of them. I happen to like kissing girls.”

She turned toward him, emboldened by alcohol and the good feeling of having been surrounded by people who cared. “Why did you kiss me back in the flower shop when no one was looking? And why did you kiss me on the porch when you didn’t know anyone was looking?”

For a moment, he didn’t answer, his hands holding tightly to the steering wheel, his gaze on the road ahead.

The bravado ebbed out of Dallas as the alcoholic haze wore off. Heat rose up her cheeks as she realized she’d just gone fishing for answers she might not like. “Never mind. Just forget I asked,” she muttered and turned away.

“No. I’ll answer. I just…don’t know how.” He drew in a breath and let it out slowly. “I hadn’t really kissed someone since Emily passed. I felt like such a gesture was betraying her memory. But when you came along all tough and ready to kick my ass, I couldn’t help sparring with you. And I liked it.” He faced her for a moment, taking his attention from the road. “I. Like. You. After you were nearly mowed over by Mrs. Davis’s Cadillac, all I could think was that you were safe and I had to kiss you. So, I did.”

Dallas couldn’t believe what she’d just heard. Viper liked her. Liked her enough to kiss her. “Why do you like me? I’m not even a whole person.”

He frowned. “Sweetheart, you have to get over the fact you don’t have part of one leg anymore. The amputation doesn’t make you any less of a person than someone with two legs. You’re whole where it counts.” He touched his fist to his chest. “Here. You care about people, you work as hard as any man at the ranch, and I like the fact you could kick my ass, if I let you. Don’t think of yourself as anything less than what you are, a beautiful, smart badass female with eyes the color of emeralds and hair that shines like copper in the sun. You’re beautiful, and working with you is an honor. I consider it even more of an honor you didn’t knock off my head when I kissed you.”

Dallas sat back, warmth filling her chest, radiating outward.

They’d arrived at the Brighter Days Ranch and pulled up to the front of the house. She didn’t know how to respond to Viper’s declaration. Dating had never been something she was good at. All she knew was she wanted him to kiss her again. But how did she tell him? Should she be blunt and let him know he turned her on?

Or should she play a little hard to get? Weren’t men turned off by women who came on too strong? For that matter, what was too strong?

Her head spun with a multitude of different scenarios—all of which felt awkward and out of her skillset. At this rate, she’d be old and wrinkled before she told Viper how she really felt.

The door on her side of the vehicle opened, and the man who’d been foremost in her thoughts held out his hand. “Want to go inside, or have you decided to sleep in the truck?” He smiled. “I’m sorry if I scared you with my long speech. I promise I won’t kiss you again, unless you want me to.” He held up two fingers on his free hand. “Scout’s honor.”

Dallas put her hand in his but hesitated, her heart beating so fast she had trouble breathing. She swallowed hard and stared at where their hands touched. Heat radiated all the way up her arm and into her chest. “About that promise.”

He tugged on her hand, forcing her to step out onto the running board. “The promise not to kiss you unless you wanted me to?”

“Um. Yes.”

“I meant every word,” he said softly.

She squared her shoulders, as she did anytime she faced something that scared her so much her knees shook, and she looked into his eyes. “What if I want you to kiss me?”

His eyes flashed surprise and then his mouth curved into a gentle smile. “Sweetheart, all you have to do is ask.”

Having come that far, she couldn’t go back. “I’m asking,” she whispered.

He cocked his head a little to the side. “A little louder?”

“Seriously?” She drew in a deep breath and would have shouted that she wanted a kiss, now, if only to prove a point, but she didn’t get that far.

Viper swept her into his arms, his lips crashing down onto hers, stealing away her words, her thoughts and her breath.

He held her above the ground, crushed to his chest, his arms like vises around her middle. None of that mattered when his lips were on hers, drawing a response she’d only dreamed of giving. Dallas wrapped her arms around his neck and gave as good as she got. She opened to him and met his tongue with her own, tasting the mint he’d popped into his mouth on the drive back.

Slowly, he set her on her feet but didn’t back away or end the kiss. He did allow her to draw in a breath so that she could kiss him longer.

His hands slipped up the back of her shirt, his calloused fingers smoothing across her skin, kneading her flesh. Then he shifted the direction and slipped downward into the waistband of her jeans and panties to cup her ass.

Other than how good he tasted, the only thing Dallas could think of was that she wore entirely too many clothes. She wanted them both to be naked, their bodies pressed together, her legs tangled with his.

The sound of someone clearing his throat brought them back to earth. She broke away from Viper and glanced around.

“Sorry.” Percy stepped down from the porch. “I didn’t realize you two were out here. I’ll just be going to the bunkhouse. Don’t let me interrupt.”

But he had, and the moment passed.

Dallas sucked in ragged breaths, her body on fire. She started to reach for Viper’s hand to drag him into the house and to her room where she could make love to him all night long. But then the reality of the situation hit her like a ton of bricks.

Getting naked with Viper meant removing her prosthetic and then lying next to him with only one good leg. Nothing was sexy about a woman with a missing leg. And she’d be damned if she let him have pity sex with her.

A bitter mixture of longing and bile burned in her mouth. The truth was, she wasn’t ready to have sex with a man since losing her leg. She wasn’t even sure how she’d manage. “We’d better call it a night. We have chores in the morning and need to be ready to go when Sadie and Hank arrive.” Dallas turned away.

Viper grabbed her arm and pulled her back against him. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” she lied. “I’m just tired.”

He lifted her chin and stared into her eyes. “Not buying that excuse, but I’ll let it go for now.” He released her arm. “Go on to bed. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Dallas would have run for the house, but that action would only have shown Viper how scared she was. And she didn’t want him to think she was scared. Instead, she took her time climbing the stairs. But the truth was, she was terrified of her feelings and too scared to admit she wanted more. Rejection was not something she was prepared to handle.