Ten days after the confrontation with Bennett, Carl and Esther accepted the cash offer from Sadie’s friend, packed up everything and drove toward a new life. Daniel’s presence helped ease some of Avery’s sorrow. He worked hard around the ranch, mostly doing repairs and handling some of the upkeep that out of necessity she’d had to let go. It was the first time since she’d taken over the ranch that Avery shared the responsibility and work load. It gave her more time with Cole, although given a choice her little boy preferred to spend his time with Daniel. He was so patient with Cole, showing him ways to do tasks, explaining his reasoning behind his actions. She could hardly protest since she spent her nights with him. Within the intimate boundaries of her bed, he alternated between patient loving and fast, hard passion.

There were a few isolated incidents to indicate Bennett Ridgeway hadn’t given up on his campaign to force her into selling. Twice, stock got out of the fenced area due to an open gate that Randy swore he’d closed; chickens were disturbed several nights in a row, resulting in fewer eggs; an expected delivery of vaccination was delayed; there was a small grass fire near where she and Daniel had been shot at.

Even as she worried about the outcome, a small, selfish part of Avery was glad for the disturbances. As long as the threat continued, Daniel would stay.

Avery pressed her forehead to the neck of the mare she’d been brushing, and closed her eyes to stem the tears. She loved him. It made no sense, certainly nothing could come of her feelings. She’d known from the beginning that Daniel was a temporary presence in her life. He’d only become one due to the threats, and the kindness of friends.

It made even less sense that she’d fallen so fast. Then there was Cole. Her baby boy would be devastated when Daniel left. She might have harbored hope that he would stay after her situation had been resolved. Only, this morning, she’d been forced to realize how fruitless was that dream.

Daniel had been sitting in his usual spot at the island, his tablet open before him. He’d been so engrossed in his reading he hadn’t acknowledged the coffee she’d set beside his arm. The logo on his screen caught her eye, had her pausing long enough to read over his shoulder. Then it had been her heart stopping.

It was wrong. Even as she read the letter she’d known it was wrong to intrude on his private business.

He’d been offered a job. Not another with Hank, but an offer from a contractor with a contract with the military. Overseas.

“Mommy.”

Her head jerking up, her battered heart thundering, Avery swung around to see Cole running into the barn. She hurried around the horse, worried Cole’s excited voice would make the horse skittish.

“Look. Look at what Daniel gave me.” Cole stopped in front of where she’d knelt down, holding out something bound by a chain around his neck. “It’s a dog tag. Not for a dog though. Real soldiers wear them. Daniel said he used to wear one but he don’t anymore ‘cause he’s not a soldier anymore. But he had this one made for me. It’s got my name on it.”

“Let me see,” she managed through the tears clogging her throat and clouding her eyes.

“I’m not ‘pose to take it off.”

“I know, baby.” She cradled the small rectangle, rubbing a thumb over the raised imprint. “This is really special. Did you tell Daniel thank you?”

“Yeah. I mean, yes ma’am.” She lifted a brow at the manners. “Daniel said I should always say that. It shows ‘spect.”

“Respect.” She looked up, intending to brush a hand over Cole’s hair, only to discover Daniel standing in the barn door.

“Well,” she said, pleased by how her voice didn’t betray her emotions. “I think this calls for a special dinner. How about hamburgers?” As she expected, Cole cheered at the mention of his favorite. His happiness helped fortify her enough that she could walk toward Daniel.

He surprised her by reaching out to cup her cheek in his palm, lean forward and lightly brush her lips with his. “I got it for him. . .”

“He’s thrilled and it was very thoughtful of you.” Making herself appear strong, she stepped backward when she wanted nothing so much as to curl into his embrace. “I can make the hamburger patties, but I’m terrible at the grill.”

“She burns them,” Cole agreed, making it easy for her to smile.

“I can handle it,” Daniel said, staring at her as if aware of her internal turbulence.

Somehow she got through preparations, dinner and dessert, watching Cole and Daniel interact, responding when it seemed right. She had two glasses of wine, a rare enough occurrence that her head spun a little when she stood to clear the table. For that reason, and that it would give her a little time alone, she agreed to Cole’s plea for Daniel to oversee his bath.

Even when she finally went upstairs to say goodnight to Cole, her head remained light. And, she realized, there was freedom in ignoring the practical, in allowing uninhibited thoughts and actions have control.

So, outside the door of her boy’s room, she reached for a man’s hand.

“Avery.”

She pressed her mouth to his. Every other night he waited until he was sure Cole slept before he came to her.

“Daniel.” She pulled him toward his room. “You’ve given us so much while you’ve been here.” She stopped outside his closed door. After tonight she would never again think of this as Brad’s room. If he left her with nothing else, she would have this. She opened the door wide enough for the two of them to pass through. Then shut it and turned to face him.

“Tonight I want to give you more.”

“This time with you and Cole has been more than I’ve had my entire life.”

His words sounded like a version of good-bye. Her heart ached even as it filled. He deserved love, even as she knew he believed he could never have it. Rising on her toes, she looped her arms around his neck. Pressed her lips gently to his. Before tonight, so much of their time had been heated insistence and energetic. Tonight, she wanted slow and luxurious loving.

So, her hands caressed in long, lingering strokes over his shoulders, down his back. She loved the way he arched into her hands, felt a rising flutter in her throat when he groaned in appreciation. She put just enough distance between them that she could tug his T-shirt from his jeans, slide it up his chest and over his head. Her breath caught, as it so often did, with the sight of his strength.

Her hands cruised over him, pausing to circle a thumb around his flat nipple, pleased when it pebbled as hers so often did when he touched her. As it did now.

He cupped her butt as he waited for her to do whatever she wished, leading them where she wanted. She felt secure, feminine and sexy with that one small gesture.

They continued to kiss in slow, long, drawn-in tangle of tongues and open mouth caresses as they stripped each other bare. They remained silent as they used hands to speak for them. More than skin became exposed as kisses and touches reached beneath the surface to feelings never revealed before.

She held nothing back, not that she had at any time with Daniel. But tonight she somehow gave more, felt more, and loved more. She rose above him, looked deep into his eyes and knew she would remember and cherish this moment for the rest of her life. Slowly she lowered onto him, taking him deep inside, held him tight and strong. In this instant nothing could come between them, nothing could separate them.

And nothing did throughout the long night. Over and over they reached for each other. Time after time they loved in that same slow manner. There were leisurely strokes, enticing kisses and the deep, fluid rise and fall of bodies. Almost as if trying to ignore what they both knew - their time together was limited. As sunlight shot the first rays over the horizon, they peaked for the last time.

Avery woke when she felt his lips on her bare shoulder, tried to ignore the ache of knowing the night had ended. “How can you be awake?” she murmured.

“Army training.”

“Rancher,” she said and started to turn over. His lips skimmed down her back, keeping her still.

“Sleep.”

“Chores.” She yawned. “Cole.”

“I’ll handle it.” His tongue dipped indecently into the cleft of her butt. “Stay. Sleep.” His lips traveled up, nipping at the back of her neck. “You earned it.” His mouth moved to tug on her ear lobe. “Stay here and I’ll come back after I take Cole to the bus.”

“Hmm. Okay,” she agreed before slipping into an exhausted sleep.

When she woke later, two things surprised her. One, when she glanced over at the alarm, the hour was later than she expected. And, second, that Daniel had yet to return. Disappointed but not concerned, she stripped the bed and used the sheets as a cover while she hurried into her bedroom to shower and dress.

Downstairs, she smiled a little at the neat kitchen. If nothing else, she and Cole had upped their game in keeping everything picked up since Daniel had been with them. Going to the counter where a mug sat next to the coffeemaker, her heart melted a little at the drawing Cole had left her. Again she thought it strange that Daniel hadn’t returned from driving Cole to the bus. She’d taken one long swallow of coffee when her cell phone buzzed on the kitchen table.

Seeing Daniel’s name, she wondered why he hadn’t called. Still, she clicked on the text message. When the image popped up, the coffee cup jerked free of her fingers and fell, splashing hot coffee on her feet. Her knees turned to water and she melted to the floor.

Rocking back and forth, she stared at the screen, horrified at the image of Cole, his eyes fearful above the wide strip of duct tape covering his mouth. His hands were wrapped in some sort of rope in front of him. She could make out bruises on his arms.

The message read: Sell or you’ll never see him again.

Dumfounded she stared at the screen. Daniel? He’d done this? Her mind rolled back, recalled meeting him shortly after someone had run her off the road. Had he known, been a part of it? Was that why their attraction had sprung so quick and hot? Had he seduced her to distract her from his real reason for being at the ranch? Close to her son? Is that why he’d been so insistent this morning that she remain in bed?

She didn’t want to consider his betrayal. Couldn’t. She had to think how best to get Cole. Hank, she’d call Hank.

With her fingers poised to make the call, a new text arrived.

Tell no one.

Her hand trembled, making it necessary for her to stop once, take a deep breath, and begin again. Yes. Yes. She finally hit send. Then, added another text. Please don’t hurt him.

Seconds passed and she heard nothing more. She even shook the phone once, believing it would spring forth with another message. She couldn’t do this, just couldn’t sit here and wait. She might tell no one but she wasn’t about to simply do nothing.

Getting to her feet, she ran outside, only to stop with the realization that her truck was still in the shop. Spotting Randy’s, she ran to it, choked on a cry of relief when she saw, yes as she often did, he’d left the keys on the dashboard. The engine fired and she jerked it into gear, turning the truck with every intention of driving to Bennett’s. She doubted he’d be foolish enough to have Cole there, but she was desperate enough to confront him. Plus, the man was arrogant enough to believe she’d never attempt to go against his orders.

Only, as she crested the hill, she spotted Daniel’s truck, the driver side door open. And a dark pile on the ground.

“Daniel,” she screamed, barely breaking to a stop before she jumped out and ran to him. “No, no, no.” She ran her hands over him, leaned down to press her face to his back, relieved to feel his breathing. Slowly, she rolled him over, moaning when she saw the bloody gash on his left temple. Her hands cupped his face. “Daniel, wake up.” She wanted to shake him but feared doing damage. Instead, she leaned down and kissed him. “Please. I can’t lose you both,” she sobbed, kissing him again, tasting him along with the salt of her tears.

“Avery.”

Relief had her sagging, pressing her forehead against his chest as she battled back tears. Then, she lifted her head, stared into eyes that still looked dazed. But, at least, he was conscious.

“Okay.” Already moving away, she felt his hands close around her arms, holding her still. “Daniel. I’ll call someone to come help you. I’ve got to go.” She swallowed down renewed panic as she ignored the command to tell no one. “They’ve got Cole.”

“I know.” With a grunt he levered up to a sitting position. “He jumped me when we got here. I only had time enough to tell Cole to be brave, that I’d come for him.” He held out a hand. “Give me your phone.”

“I can’t.” She sniffed. “They told me to contact no one.” She jerked away and started to stand. “You promised if it came to a choice, you’d pick Cole.”

“There’s no choice. And nothing is going to happen to either one of you.” When she said nothing, only stared at him, he got to his feet, wobbled a little and then reached around her to slide her phone from her back pocket. “The dog tag, it has a chip in it.”

“What?”

“I had one of Hank’s guys implant a tracking chip in the dog tag. The one I gave Cole.” He punched buttons on her phone. “He took my phone so I need yours to access the app and get a line on where he has Cole.”

“You told him to never take it off.”

“He won’t.”

“Because you told him.”

He looked up, met her gaze. She saw now that his vision had cleared, saw the focus and deadly intent. This was the soldier he’d once been, still was in many ways. The one who’d been offered a way to return to the life he knew best. This was a man who would do whatever it took to save her son.

This was the man she loved with all of her heart.

“What do we do?”

“We do nothing.” He started for Randy’s truck.

“Wait.” She grabbed his arm, jerked hard. “You’re not going without me. This is my son.” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she regretted them. Daniel’s face hardened, his nostrils flared, his eyes went cold.

“Daniel, there is no one I trust more with Cole than you. But they, whoever they are, wherever they are, are expecting me to show up. They think you’re still on the ground here.” Her fingers closed tighter on his arm. “Tell me what you think we should do.”

“Avery, there is no they.”

Confused, she shook her head. “It has to be. I know Bennett wouldn’t do the work himself. He’ll have hired someone, probably a couple of them.”

“No, Avery. It’s Randy.” Her knees wobbled but she remained upright. “It’s why I didn’t suspect anything. He came up on horseback as Cole and I were getting out of the truck.”

“Why would Randy do this?”

“I don’t know, but I’m going to find out.” The phone in his hand pinged and they both looked down to see a map with a red spot pinpointed. “Do you know where this is?”

She pressed a hand to her knotting stomach. “It’s Carl and Esther’s house. He must have gone there knowing it’s empty.” She looked at him. “I know a back way to get there.”

By time Avery pulled up in front of Carl and Esther’s house her mouth was dry. She winced a little when she slammed on the brakes harder than she’d intended. Her plan had been to look calm and natural, just someone out for a ride, stopping by to take a look around for old-time sake. Tethered to a fence post she spotted one of her horses and knowing Randy had used one of her horses to grab her son had temper hardening her resolve.

With a deep breath, she exited the truck. Jamming her hands into her back pockets, she took a slow circle, as if looking at the home and surroundings with nothing on her mind but fond memories. It didn’t surprise her that Randy didn’t take long to open the door and step out on the porch.

“What you doing here, Avery?’

She jumped, pressing her hand to her chest. “Goodness, Randy, you scared the daylights out of me.” She choked out a small laugh. “I didn’t see you anywhere around the ranch and used your truck to try and track you down.” She shrugged and made a production of looking around again. “Guess, I just naturally ended up here. Just doesn’t look, or feel, the same without Carl and Esther, does it?”

“Why were you tracking me down?”

She had to find a way to get him away from the doorway. “Oh, nothing important. It just struck me strange that you weren’t around. What are you doing here?”

“I’m trying to help you.”

“By coming to this empty place?”

“You know you, you and Cole, would be better off if you sold the ranch.”

“How can you talk about things being better for Cole when you’re the one who kidnapped him?” She nearly stepped closer, then remembered she needed to draw him away from the house. “You sent me a picture of him tied up and his mouth taped shut.”

The tears came, she could do nothing to stop them. The bonus was Randy also saw them. He stepped forward, coming to the edge of the porch.

“If I convince you to sell the ranch, Ridgeway promised me a bonus. Then Julie will want to be with me again.”

“A woman? You did this for a woman?”

“I love her.” He climbed down two of the three steps. “You know how that is.”

As if in agreement with the pounding of her heart, she spotted Daniel appear in the doorway, Cole in his arms. Her nerve faltered, afraid Daniel would set Cole down and come out to subdue Randy.

“Yes, I do,” she said, waving a hand to the left, knowing Randy would think she was trying to emphasis her point. Praying Daniel would interpret it as a reminder of his promise to choose Cole’s safety over everything.

“That’s why I know you were used, Randy. I’m sorry, but you were never going to get that money.” She sighed. “And if she loved you, really loved you, Julie would never have asked you to do this.”

“Mommy.” Cole ran around the corner of the house. Avery sank to her knees, and held out arms that wrapped around him. Before Randy could move to intercept him, Daniel had him on the ground, a knee pressed to his back, and securing his wrists with a rope.

“Are you okay?” Avery asked Cole, sweeping back his hair, kissing the red irritation on his cheek caused by the duct tape.

He nodded, even as he burrowed into her embrace. “Daniel said I did good.”

“Oh, you did. You were so brave. I’m so proud of you.”

“Randy said it was a game, but I don’t think it was.”

“No, it wasn’t.”

“Can we go home now?”

“Yes.” She stared at Daniel as he lifted Randy to his feet. “Let’s go home.”

Avery secured the barn door, fighting against two long days – and lonely nights – of physical and emotional exhaustion.

She’d insisted on going with Daniel to take Randy to the Sheriff, where he confessed everything he’d done. Because Randy hadn’t been smart enough to throw them away, they’d found the burner cell phones he used for the threatening messages he’d sent Avery. Along with the physical evidence of the bullets Randy had shot at her and Daniel, there had also been one text message on his regular cell phone from Julie confirming that her uncle, Bennett Ridgeway, promised to pay Randy a bonus if he succeeded in getting Avery to sell her ranch.

Avery didn’t resent Daniel for wanting to go along with the Sheriff to arrest Bennett. If not for Cole, she would have gone also. However, she was hurt that he’d not returned to say good-bye. For two days, she’d waited, honestly believing he wouldn’t leave without a word. Now, she had little choice but to give up on that hope.

With a deep sigh, she turned around. And nearly dropped to her knees.

“I thought I was doing the right thing by leaving. The right thing for you and Cole. I thought I made the right choice, the best choice.” He glanced over his shoulder at his truck. Avery took a step forward, not sure what she’d do if he turned and left again. She let out a breath when he looked back at her. “But I think leaving was the wrong choice.” He took a step forward, stopped when the back door of the house banged open.

“Daniel, Daniel.” Cole jumped up into his arms, never doubting that he’d be caught and accepted. “Where you been? I missed you.”

“I had some things to take care of.”

“That’s what Mommy said, but I didn’t believe her.”

He looked at her son. “You should always believe your mom, she’ll never lie to you.”

“Okay.” From the neckline of his T-shirt Cole drew out the dog tag. “I still wear it. Just like you said.”

Avery’s battered heart gave in, melted, as Daniel lowered his forehead to Cole’s, closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath. “That’s great, Cole. Listen.” He set Cole down on the ground. “Can you wait here a minute?”

Cole placed his hand in Daniel’s. “I can come with you.” He looked back at her. “Right, Mommy.”

Her throat was so thick all she could was nod.

The two walked to Daniel’s truck. Avery’s eyes widened along with Cole’s when the distinctive yapping began the second before Daniel opened the door. Before Cole’s arms were filled with a squirming puppy.

“A dog.” Cole giggled, tumbling to the ground as he wrestled with the dog. “Daniel you got a dog. What’s his name?”

“Well.” Daniel crouched down, snagging the pup and trying to hold it still. “This is Pete.”

Cole stared, open-mouthed at Daniel. “He told me he wants to live on a ranch and be best buddies with someone. Know anyone who would like to be his best buddy?”

Cole wrapped his arms around the puppy, who licked his cheek. “Me. I can do it.”

Daniel glanced over as Avery walked their way. “First you need to ask permission.” Cole looked up at her, his eyes saying everything he was still too stunned to say aloud. While the puppy was small now, the size of the feet told her he would grow large.

“It’s another choice,” Daniel told her. She nodded, overcome, and hopeful, that the puppy meant more than a dream for her son. “Then,” Daniel said, looking back at Cole. “You have to promise to take care of him. That means more than just playing.”

“I know,” Cole whispered. “I have to teach him.”

“And clean up after him.”

“Okay.”

Daniel released his hold on the dog’s collar. Boy and dog immediately rolled on the ground. Avery had no doubt she’d do her share of the cleaning and teaching, but oh, at this moment it was worth every late night trip outside for pee breaks or chewed up shoes to hear and see Cole so thrilled.

“I probably should have checked with you first.” Daniel stood. “I guess you could say this is one more example of how I don’t know much about being part of a family.”

“You had a job offer.” He cocked his head. “I saw the letter on your tablet. I thought you’d left to take the job.”

“I had a job offer,” he agreed. “But it wasn’t the best choice for me. Not anymore. God, Avery, please tell me I was right.”

“I don’t have much to offer.” She gestured. “A ranch that could use an extra pair of good hands. A son who is probably not going to be much help in training that puppy.” She looked at him. “My love.”

“I have some money from my time in the Army. I have two strong hands, willing to do the work. I never had a dog when I was a kid, so I’d like to help train this one. I brought you something also.” He dug into his pocket, drew out a small box. “I love you, Avery.” Her heart stopped as he flipped the lid, exposing a wide platinum band, bisected with two small diamonds.

“I wanted you to have a ring this time.” He looked up at her. “And my name.”

“I’d love to have both.”

He slipped the ring on, drew her in for a long kiss. “There’s something else I want.” He waited until she nodded for him to continue. “I want to adopt Cole. For him to have my name.” He glanced over his shoulder to where a boy and his dog played. “We should ask him.”

“Daniel.” She cupped his cheek, turned him so she could kiss him. “He already thinks of you as his daddy.” His eyes darkened with an emotion deeper than words could express.

“Do you think he’d like a brother or sister?” His dimple popped out when he grinned at her. “Maybe both?”

“For someone who claims to not know much about family.” She kissed him, turned within the circle of his arms to watch her son, their son, chase after the puppy. “You’re doing a good job of making ours grow.”

“Ours. I like the sound of that,” he said, holding her tighter ... and she knew he’d never let her go.