Viper lay for a long time in his bed, staring up at the ceiling and wondering what had come over him. When he’d kissed Dallas, he’d intimated it was all part of their cover. To make others think their engagement was real, they had to show some indication that they liked each other enough to marry.

But that kiss. Holy hell. If he wasn’t mistaken, he was liking Dallas far too much for a mere partner. She made him feel things he thought long buried. Lust was a given. But tenderness, longing, protectiveness and…hope.

Dallas made him feel like his life had not ended when Emily and their baby girl died. She made him feel like a future waited for him and that he could fall in love again.

And that realization scared the ever-lovin’ crap out of him.

Thus, he’d spent the night staring at the ceiling until the wee hours of the morning when he finally fell into a fitful sleep.

He was up at the crack of dawn, dressed and feeding the chickens when Dallas stepped out on the porch, dressed in slim-fitting blue jeans, a mint-green pullover shirt and boots. Even in casual clothing, she couldn’t hide her shapely body, the muscles well-defined and solid. Her hair hung down to her shoulders, the auburn locks catching the sunshine and turning coppery-gold.

Viper stopped with his hand full of hard-kernel corn and stared at the woman with her face turned up to the morning sunshine, her shoulders flung back, her chin held high and proud.

She was strong, yet vulnerable. Hard-bodied, yet soft in all the right places.

Viper’s blood burned, and his groin tightened. He turned away and flung the corn a little harder than he’d intended. The chickens raced after the kernels, clucking and scratching in the dirt.

He dusted off his hands and strode to the porch. They had chores to do that morning then they’d head to Hank’s place for an update from Swede, his computer guru.

“Good morning,” Dallas greeted him.

“Good morning.” He stopped two steps below the one where she stood. “Did you sleep well?”

She nodded. “You?”

He dipped his head in brief agreement. Two could play the vague game. “Have you eaten?”

“Not yet. Cookie’s making breakfast now,” she said.

“Where are the others?”

“Hanging out in the living room,” she responded. “You’re up early.”

The scent of frying bacon and pancake batter cooking on the griddle reached Viper, making his stomach rumble in response.

Dallas smiled. “He was almost done when I dared to walk into the kitchen. Needless to say, he shooed me out.”

“Let’s go see if we can pilfer a pancake.” Viper climbed the remaining steps and held out his hand.

For a moment, Dallas hesitated. Finally, she placed her hand in his. “For the gig,” she muttered and allowed him to lead her into the house.

Viper found himself wishing Dallas wasn’t holding his hand because of the undercover aspect of the mission. He wanted her to hold his hand because the gesture felt right and good. His grip tightened on hers, even as he reminded himself they were on a mission, not a date.

Cookie had just laid a heaping platter of pancakes in the center of the large kitchen table. “Breakfast is ready.”

“I smell bacon.” Jimmy Young propelled his wheelchair from the living room into the kitchen, pulling up to his designated spot at the table.

Vasquez followed. He paused to pull out a chair for Dallas.

Viper frowned. He’d been about to grab the chair and hold it for Dallas, but the one-armed veteran beat him to it.

Franklin held a chair for Lori and then took the seat on her other side.

Viper sat at the head of the table on Dallas’s left. Close, but not close enough to lean his thigh against hers. The way he was feeling, that could only add to the rise of his desire. As it was, he bumped knees with her every time he shifted in his seat. His awareness of her was at an all-time high, and he vowed to tone it down before he found himself head over heels for the badass Army Ranger.

The meal was much like the night before, with the young veterans trading good-natured insults. For a few minutes, silence reigned as everyone dug into the pancakes and bacon.

Dallas consumed two pancakes and three slices of bacon, washing down the food with a cup of black coffee.

Lori leaned across the table. “Have you chosen your wedding gown, yet?”

Dallas shook her head. “Not yet, but we’re scheduled to go tomorrow. Our wedding planner said something about giving the seamstress a day or two to do the alterations.” She shook her head. “I don’t have any idea how difficult it is to buy a dress. Can’t you just pull one off the rack in your size and wear it?”

Lori laughed. “Oh, sweetie, you really don’t have a clue, do you?”

Even Viper knew not all women were the same shape and sizes. His wife had chosen a pretty wedding dress that fit her in the bust but had to be altered for her waist and hips. Like Dallas, he wasn’t exactly sure of all that work entailed, but it sounded like a lot more than a safety pin holding two seams together.

Dallas smiled at Lori “Would you like to go with me when I shop for my dress?”

Lori’s cheeks colored. “Oh, you’ll probably have Sadie McClain helping you choose the prettiest dress in the store. You don’t need an old Army sergeant adding her two cents worth.”

“I’d love to have a not-so-old Army sergeant along to keep me straight and on time. Besides, what will a movie star like Sadie and I have in common? We’ll likely run out of things to say on the drive to Bozeman. I mean, I doubt she’s ever fired a M4A1 rifle.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if she has. She married Hank Patterson. I’ve heard he has quite the arsenal for his Brotherhood Protectors.” Lori tipped her head to the side. “I assume you know about the brotherhood?”

Dallas nodded. She concentrated on cutting into her third pancake, her gaze avoiding Lori’s. “Yes, I’ve heard of them. Hank’s the boss, right?”

Viper bit back a smile. Dallas was doing a great job of keeping her new job as an agent for the Brotherhood Protectors under wraps.

“What’s on your schedule for today?” Lori asked as she looked at the end of the table. “I bet your head is spinning with the wedding preparations.”

“We’re making a trip to the caterer to select the kinds of food we want at the reception,” Viper answered.

“Steak,” Young piped in. “You can’t go wrong with steak.”

“And lobster,” Franklin added.

“Barbeque is cheaper, and the boys love it just as well,” Gavin Blackstock offered. “Throw on some ribs and a brisket and you’ll have them eating out of the palms of your hands.”

Vasquez sighed. “What I wouldn’t give for some of my mama’s tamales.”

“Mexican food sounds good,” Dallas agreed. “I did some training at Ft. Hood, Texas. They had the best authentic Mexican restaurant right outside the post.” She sighed. “I wonder if the caterer could conjure up fajitas with sour cream and guacamole.” Dallas popped a bite of syrupy pancake into her mouth and swept her tongue across her lips.

“Whatever your heart desires,” Viper said, his mouth watering, but not for fajitas. The way Dallas’s tongue moved across her mouth made Viper want to capture it and suck it between his teeth.

“I think Daisy said barbeque was the easiest to conjure up at short notice.” Dallas smiled. “Barbeque it is.”

Viper shoved back from the table. “If you’re done here, I’d like to get started on what we need to accomplish. We only have a few more days left until the wedding.”

“Right,” Dallas rose beside him. “We don’t have a minute to spare.”

“Not if we want the event to be perfect.” Viper pulled her into his arms and kissed her forehead. “Right, darlin’?”

She stared up at him, her eyes wide.

He’d caught her off guard and loved it.

“You call that a kiss?” Young snorted. “I kiss my dog better than that.”

“You would,” Vasquez said.

Young threw a punch at Vasquez’s only arm.

“Hey!” Vasquez glared at the man without legs and rubbed his shoulder. “Watch it.”

“You can do better than that,” Franklin taunted.

“Leave them alone,” Percy said. “They don’t have to prove anything to you yahoos.”

“No, we want to see a real kiss.”

“Like you didn’t see one last night?” Lori shook her head. “A bunch of Peeping Toms staring through the front window.”

“You were staring with us, Mize,” Franklin pointed out.

“Only to see what you all were gawking at,” Lori protested. But her lips curled upward on a smile. “And what a kiss.”

“Yeah, show us the real thing,” Vasquez said. “We’re living vicariously through you two.”

“Get your own lives,” Dallas shot back. “Maybe Viper doesn’t want to kiss me in front of all of you.”

“Challenge accepted,” Viper whispered and crushed his mouth onto hers.

Dallas gasped, opening just enough for Viper to dive in.

He swept his tongue across hers, sliding its length in a slow sensuous caress. She tasted of the bacon and syrup. Sweet and savory all at once.

At first, she was stiff in his arms. Then she melted against him, her body aligning with his. She slid her hands up his chest to weave together at the back of his neck. Her breasts pushed against his chest, her hips rubbing against his.

His cock hardened and pressed urgently against the thick denim of his fly. A groan rose up his throat and nearly escaped. When at last he raised his head, thunderous applause deafened him.

When the clapping died down, Lori sighed. “Now, that was a kiss.”

“Damn straight, it was.” Vasquez grinned. “Wasn’t sure the Rangers had it in them.”

Viper pulled himself together, curled his arm around Dallas’s waist and straightened. “If you all have had enough of the show, we have work to do. See you later.”

On her way out of the house, Dallas grabbed her jacket and purse.

Viper led the way to his truck and opened her door. She climbed in and fastened her seatbelt.

Once Viper was in the truck, he pulled away from the Brighter Days Ranch and headed toward the outskirts of Eagle Rock.

“Where are we going?” Dallas asked.

“I think we need to check in with Hank and fill him in on what happened yesterday. We can see if his computer guy found anything on any of our potential suspects.”

Dallas shot a glance toward Viper. “We have potential suspects?”

“I told him to look at Tyler King and anyone else connected with wedding planning, to include the florist, caterer, party furnishings and limousine rental.”

“Did you have him check on Mrs. Davis, while you were at it?”

Viper chuckled. “Please tell me you’re kidding.”

She waved her hand. “Of course, I am. But I feel like we haven’t moved any closer to identifying our attacker. I liked it better when we knew our enemies.”

“Me, too. But the wedding angle is all we have to work with.”

Dallas nodded. “You’re right. But it doesn’t make the situation any easier.”

“No, it doesn’t.”

As they pulled up to the spacious ranch house, Hank and Sadie came out on the porch.

Viper rounded the truck, but Dallas already opened the door and dropped to the ground. “I can take care of myself,” she insisted.

“I know you can, but…”

“Don’t say it. Normal people are okay with accepting a little help getting in and out of large pickups.”

Viper forced a chuckle, though his chest tightened. “But you’re not normal?”

Dallas tilted her head to the side. “Now you’re getting it.”

“For the sake of—” he started.

“Our cover,” Dallas finished. “Okay, I promise to let you get my door on occasion.” She leaned closer and whispered, “But since Hank already knows our relationship, you have no need to be so attentive. We’re partners, not lovers.”

Viper dropped a kiss on the tip of her nose and whispered back, “I don’t think Sadie knows. Remember, Hank said the fewer who knew, the better.”

“You think Hank keeps things from Sadie?”

Viper nodded. “I’m betting on it. When she gave you that dress, she was helping another woman, not Hank’s new recruit.”

Dallas frowned. “I hope you’re right.” She smiled and turned to Hank and Sadie, who had stepped down from the porch and were walking toward them.

Hank hugged Dallas and held out his hand to Viper. “So nice to see you two. What brings you to the ranch?”

“Dallas wanted to stop by and thank Sadie for the dress.”

“That’s right.” Dallas hugged Sadie. “Thank you for the beautiful dress.”

“You’re more than welcome.”

“Once I have it dry-cleaned, I’ll return it.”

“No, please,” Sadie insisted. “I want you to have it. I used it as one of the dresses on my last movie. But it goes so much better with your coloring. I’d love to have that shade of auburn hair.”

“Sadie made up a pitcher of lemonade. Emma should be waking from her nap any moment, and I wanted to introduce you to one of the men who work for me.” Hank glanced toward Sadie. “Will you excuse us?”

“Certainly. I need to check on Emma and get glasses down for the lemonade.” Sadie smiled at Viper and Dallas. “Take your time. I’m sure a diaper needs changing.” Sadie hurried off toward the bedrooms and her baby, Emma.

Hank led Viper and Dallas to a door practically hidden from view. He uncovered a digital keypad and ran his fingers over the buttons, leaned down and added an optical scan before the lock clicked, and he pulled open the door.

Stairs led downward into a bunker.

Viper was impressed with the state-of-the-art technology and the security Hank had installed in his home.

As Hank started down, lights blinked on, triggered by his motion. “Swede, we have company,” Hank called out.

A tall, blond man emerged from another room and stretched his arms to the ceiling. “Good. I could use a break.” He held out a hand to Dallas and then Viper.

After stating their names, they shook and followed him into a room lined with computer screens.

Swede slipped into an office chair and rolled up to a keyboard.

“Find anything?” Hank asked.

Swede nodded. “As a matter of fact, I did.” He clicked a few keys and an image of a man appeared on the monitor. “Tim Fuller.”

“Fuller.” Viper rolled the name on his tongue. “Isn’t he the guy who provides tables and seating for events?”

“He is,” Hank said. “What do you have on him?”

“He was arrested a few months ago for assault and battery.”

Viper leaned closer, studying the man’s bruised face. “Looks like he got a little of the same.”

“What’s the story?” Dallas asked.

“From what I could gather from the police report, an article in the newspaper and the man’s divorce decree, he accused his wife of cheating on him and beat up the man he suspected she was cheating with.”

Hank crossed his arms over his chest. “Remember, his wife is the caterer who supplied food for the weddings that have been targeted.”

“Why would Fuller sabotage weddings where he’s making money?” Viper shook his head. “It wouldn’t make sense.” The man obviously had anger issues, much like Tyler King.

“To get back at his ex-wife?” Hank offered. “They recently divorced.”

“Doing so would hurt him, as well.”

“He also supplies rental furniture to local events and corporate retreats. Losing out on a couple of weddings might not impact his sales.”

“Then the same would go for his ex-wife,” Dallas pointed out.

“The lead bears checking into,” Viper said, glad for something to check on. Perhaps the information they gleaned would lead to solving the case.

“You can start with the ex-wife,” Hank said. “She runs a bakery in Eagle Rock.”

Viper’s lips twisted. “Is it safe for us to visit a store in Eagle Rock? The last one we were in was destroyed by a runaway Cadillac.”

“You have a point. You two are targets. You can assume you aren’t safe anywhere.” Hank’s lips thinned. “That attack only proves someone is out to ruin local weddings.”

“What’s the connecting factor?” Dallas asked.

“We’ve only just begun the planning,” Viper said.

“The announcement was sent to the local paper,” Hank continued.

Dallas tipped her head to the side, a frown wrinkling her brow. “If Fuller was the culprit, why would he attack when we haven’t even met with him yet?”

“Daisy said she’d contact the florist, caterer, party rental and the Justice of the Peace,” Viper reminded her. “The florist mentioned she’d already heard from Daisy.”

Dallas nodded. “She did.”

“I looked at the others on the list of people the brides and grooms used for the weddings.” Swede ticked off on his finger as he recited the list. “Tim & Melissa Fuller, Tyler King, Brianna McCall and Paul Glover, who operates the limousine service out of Bozeman. No one came up on any crime database other than Tim Fuller.”

Viper glanced at Dallas. “Next stop?”

Dallas’s lips quirked upward. “Melissa Fuller’s bakery. Maybe she can shed some light on her ex-husband’s activities. If he is the one behind the sabotage.”

Hank led the way back up the stairs and into the living room.

Sadie chose that moment to return, carrying a baby. She handed Emma to Hank. “Hold her while I bring in the lemonade.”

Smiling, Hank took Emma and gave her a loud, smacking kiss on her cheek.

Once again, Viper found himself longing for something that had been taken away. A life including a wife, a baby and love. His glance swept to Dallas. The former Army Ranger’s gaze was fixed on the baby, her eyes wide.

“Want to hold her?” Hank asked.

Dallas backed away, her hands up in surrender. “I don’t know anything about babies.”

“You don’t have to know anything. They teach you.” Hank winked. “Really. She won’t bite…well, maybe a little because she’s teething. But it doesn’t hurt.” Before Dallas could protest again, Hank deposited Emma in her arms.

Viper could have laughed out loud at the terror in the woman’s eyes, but he didn’t.

Within moments, the baby had twisted her fingers into Dallas’s shirt, pressed her wet lips to the Ranger’s cheek and then giggled.

Dallas’s lips spread into a grin and she stared down at the baby’s laughing eyes. Then she chuckled. “You are a charmer, aren’t you?” She smiled up at Hank. “Are all babies this engaging?”

“We like to think Emma is special. Like most parents do.” Hank tipped his head toward the floor. “She loves to play on the rug. We keep a few of her favorite toys in the basket beside the sofa.”

Dallas sat down Emma, pulled a couple toys from the basket and laid down beside her.

Viper’s pulse hammered so hard against his eardrums he could barely hear. This situation was what he was missing and what he wanted in his life. A home, a woman to love and children. A gut-clenching yearning swept over him, threatening to rob the very air he breathed.

“Babies have a way of stealing your heart.” Hank stared at the two on the floor, as well. “I never thought I could love anyone as much as I love Sadie, but then Emma came along.” He glanced at Viper. “I’m sorry about your wife and baby. I can’t imagine what you went through.”

Viper’s chest tightened. “It’s been a while.”

“Yeah, but you don’t ever really get over a loss like that.”

“No,” Viper agreed. “But life goes on.” And he was still alive, breathing, thinking and feeling, while Emily and their baby were buried together in a plot of ground.

“I learned a long time ago that you can’t live a life filled with guilt that you survived when others died,” Hank said. “It’s not much of a life, and the behavior is not something those who died would have wanted for you. If I had died during some of my missions, I would have wanted the ones who survived to live their lives to the fullest. If not for themselves, then for those who hadn’t been as fortunate.”

Hank was right. Viper digested his words, his gaze going to Dallas and Emma. He wanted to get on with his life and to fully embrace living. But was he ready to find love all over again? Was he willing to risk his love’s life with a pregnancy that could end in her death?

What had started out scaring her to death turned out to be one of the highlights of Dallas’s day. Baby Emma was a happy baby, full of giggles and joy. She brought out in Dallas feelings she never thought she’d experience.

From the moment she’d joined the Army, Dallas turned off all things feminine inside, focusing on proving to others and to herself that she was as good or better than any man. That she could hold up under the pressures of battle and provide the support her team needed.

She’d given every waking, and many sleeping, dreams to her career as an Army Ranger. When she’d lost her leg, she’d lost her career and she thought she’d lost her identity. Who was she without the Army and the Rangers? She hadn’t needed to think beyond her commitment to her country. Marriage, relationships and family were all things other people did. Not her.

Now, with a new life, a new leg and a new job, she was only beginning to understand the breadth of options and choices she could have.

Emma crawled over to her and sat, holding out her arms.

Dallas lifted her and held her against her chest.

Emma nestled in the crook of Dallas’s arm and sighed, her eyes drifting closed.

“She might not have been quite finished with her nap.” Sadie carried a tray containing a pitcher of lemonade, four glasses and a platter of cheese and crackers.

Hank took the heavy tray from her and laid it on the coffee table in the middle of the room. He lifted the pitcher and poured lemonade into a glass, handing it to Viper with a smile. “It’s not beer, but Sadie makes a mean glass of lemonade.”

“Thanks.” Viper took it and drank. “It reminds me of my folks back in Malta. Mom makes lemonade when we have company.”

Dallas’s attention perked. Viper hadn’t talked much about his parents other than to say they were still alive. She wanted to know everything possible about this man who was her partner and so much more.

“Do you make it home often?” Sadie asked, taking a glass from Hank.

“Not often enough,” Viper replied. “I stopped in on the drive out here.”

Hank poured another glass of lemonade and handed it to Dallas. “Are your folks in good health?”

Viper chuckled. His parents were the picture of health. “I think they might outlive me. Now that they’re retired, they spend much of their time either traveling or fishing. No stress.”

Hank grinned. “Sounds like heaven.”

“I could do with some fishing.” Viper stared across the living room, images from the past filling his mind. “My father took me out to Fort Peck Lake every summer and sometimes during the winter for ice fishing. We made some great memories in the time we spent together.”

“I can’t wait until Emma’s old enough to hold a fishing pole,” Hank admitted. “I’ll have her out on the river before she can spell fishing.”

“Only if I’m with you,” Sadie said, her eyes narrowed.

“That fact’s a given. I can’t imagine fishing without both of my girls.” He slipped an arm around Sadie and pressed a kiss to her lips.

Sadie smiled and kissed him back.

Dallas envied Sadie and Hank’s natural banter and loving looks.

Then Sadie turned to Dallas. “Let me take Emma. Your arms must be getting tired by now.”

“Not at all,” Dallas said.

Sadie took Emma anyway and laid her in a nearby playpen. The baby slept. “She was up half of the night, teething. Poor thing.” When she straightened, she gave Dallas a pointed look. “We need to get moving on finding a wedding dress.”

Dallas nodded. “Do you know where I can start looking?”

“Daisy and I conferred and set up an appointment to try on dresses at one of the shops in Bozeman tomorrow. She can’t make it, but I’ll be there.”

Dallas pushed to her feet. “I hate to take you away from your family. I can do this task on my own.”

“The hell you will,” Sadie exclaimed. “A bride needs her peeps around her when she’s choosing a dress. Besides, we’re driving there with our guys. They have to try on their tuxedoes.” Sadie tipped her head to the side. “Have you decided on your bridesmaids?”

“Bridesmaids?” Dallas grimaced. “I don’t know anybody.”

“You don’t have to have bridesmaids, but if you do, you can bring them along. My SUV will seat eight.”

“I would like to bring Lori Mize. She said she would like to be involved.”

“Great,” Sadie said. “We’ll swing by the ranch to pick up you three around nine in the morning. Plan on having dinner before we return.”

Dallas swallowed a gasp. “Choosing a dress will take that long?”

Sadie laughed. “It could. There are three bridal shops in Bozeman. If we don’t find what we want at one, we’ll go to all three until we do.”

“Wow,” Dallas said. “I didn’t know finding a wedding dress could be that hard. Can’t I just get married in my jeans and boots?”

Frowning, Sadie shook her head. “A woman’s wedding day is something she’ll remember for the rest of her life. You need to make it special.”

“How much do you actually remember from ours?” Hank asked.

Sadie blushed. “Well, the day was a blur. But I remember seeing you at the end of the aisle, waiting for me, and thinking I was the luckiest woman in the world.”

Hank tilted his head back and stared at her down his nose for a moment before grinning. “Good answer.” Then he kissed her. “As it is, I have a new recruit flying into Bozeman tomorrow. We can add him to our dinner celebration.”

Sadie nodded. “Then it’s a date.”

“What about Emma?”

“I’ll ask Chuck Johnson if he’d like to watch her for the day.” Sadie smiled. “He’s so good with Maya, and Emma adores him.”

“You can’t keep using my guys as babysitters,” Hank protested. “And Chuck’s only been out of the hospital for a day.”

Sadie straightened her shoulders. “Chuck offered. And he really is good with babies. I think he misses being with Maya all the time now that Daphne and Boomer are together.”

“Okay, but you really can’t rely on them. They have real jobs.”

“I know. But who better to protect our baby than a Brotherhood Protector?” Sadie smiled up at her husband.

He shook his head, though his lips quirked upward on the corners. “You have a point.”

Dallas glanced at Viper. If they were really in love and getting married, would they laugh and poke at each other so easily, like Hank and Sadie?

At that moment, Viper locked gazes with Dallas.

Heat rose in her cheeks, and she looked away. “I guess we should be going. We need to meet with the caterer.”

“Let me know if we can help you with anything,” Hank shot a glance at Viper. “Anything.”

“Thanks, but I think we’ve got this. With Daisy’s and Sadie’s help, this wedding will happen on time.”

“With a beautiful dress,” Sadie added, giving Dallas a pointed look. “Tomorrow. We’ll find one.”

Dallas smiled. “Thank you for all your help.”

Sadie laughed. “Don’t thank me until we bag that dress.”

Dallas led the way out of the house and down the steps.

Viper reached the truck before her and opened her door. He handed her up into the cab and closed the door once she was settled. He waved at Hank and Sadie standing on the porch and climbed in beside Dallas. “Think she knows we’re faking it?”

With a sigh, Dallas shook her head. “No. She thinks our relationship’s all for real.”

Viper glanced her direction. “Why the glum face?”

“I hate lying to her. She’s so helpful and cares.”

“She’d be the first to understand.” Viper backed away from the house and turned onto the road leading off the property then accelerated to the highway.

For the first few miles, Dallas sat in her seat staring at the road ahead. “They’re a nice family,” she said at last.

“What?”

“Hank, Sadie and Emma,” she clarified. “They make a nice family.”

Viper nodded. “Yes, they do.” He maneuvered the truck around a curve in the road. “What about you, Dallas? Do you see yourself married and with children?”

Dallas shrugged. “Up until now, no.”

“And now?”

She glanced out the side window, not wanting Viper to see the longing in her face. “I don’t know what I want. I never dreamed past the Army and being a Ranger.”

“I never thought past Emily and the baby. But life happened.” He snorted. “In my case, death happened. I guess I’m finally coming to terms with reality.”

Dallas rested her hand on the knee below which was her fake leg. “Me, too. Seeing Hank and Sadie with Emma…well…their life shows me other choices exist besides being a Ranger.”

Viper nodded. “Those choices can be equally important and life-shaping.”

“That Emma…” Dallas chuckled. “Can wrap you around her little finger in a heartbeat.”

“My daughter would have been five this year,” Viper said softly.

Dallas shot a glance in his direction. “I’m sorry. I don’t know how anyone gets over losing a child or a spouse.”

“You don’t. You just learn a new way to breathe. A new normal.” He looked her way. “You’ve lost friends. It’s not any easier.”

Her chest tightened. “No.”

They entered Eagle Rock and drove to the bakery where they were to meet with Melissa Fuller.

Viper pulled into the parking lot and shifted into Park.

Dallas opened her door before Viper could get out and do it for her. She was on the ground and rounding the front of the truck when the door to the bakery slammed open and a man backed out with his hands in the air.

Dallas ducked back behind the hood of the truck, her pulse racing.

“Damn it, Mel!” he said. “Put down that gun. We can talk this out.”

“Like hell we can,” a voice said from inside. The barrel of a shotgun emerged through the door, followed by the petite woman holding it. “I told you, I’m done. We’re divorced, and I intend to stay that way.”

“What’s going on here?” Viper asked.

The woman with the gun nodded toward the man she targeted. “That good-for-nothing son-of-a-bitch thinks he can waltz back into my life like nothing happened.” She snorted. “Well, I’m here to tell him, the divorce was final over a month ago. I don’t want you back, Tim. Get it through your thick skull.”

He shook his head slowly. “But you’re my wife. I love you.”

“Was your wife. I’m now your ex-wife.” She waved the shotgun at him. “Now get out of my life and stay out.”

“That’s my gun,” he muttered.

“Was your gun. I got it in the settlement.”

He pointed at the shotgun. “That weapon belonged to my grandfather.”

“I don’t care if it belonged to your Great Aunt Gladys, get out of here before I use it.”

“You don’t even know how to load it.”

“No?” She waved the gun again. “You think I didn’t load this before pointing it at your lousy ass?” She aimed the barrel at Tim’s feet. “Are you willing to take that chance?”

Tim backed away a few steps. “No. Of course not. What man would be stupid enough to go up against a crazy woman with any kind of gun?”

“Apparently you are stupid enough, if you don’t leave now.” She pointed to a truck with lettering on the side proclaiming it as Tim’s Party Rental.

“I’m going. I’m going,” he said and jerked open the truck door. “But we’re not over. I’m not giving up.”

“Idiot,” Mel called out.

“Crazy bitch,” Tim shouted as his tires spun on the pavement in his exit.

Once Tim’s truck disappeared down the street, Mel lowered her gun and smiled at Viper and Dallas. “Hi, you must be Vince and Dallas. Come on into the bakery. I’ve been expecting you.”

Dallas shot a glance at Viper.

He smiled back. “Like I was saying, life has a way of moving on. Some of us just need a little push.”

Dallas tried, but she couldn’t hide the smile spreading across her face as she agreed. “And some need a loaded shotgun as added incentive.”