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.
Acknowledgments
My profound thanks go to Elle James, first for the invitation, then for the encouragement and finally for the dedication to make this possible. Thank you.
To my tribe, past and present, who have supported me throughout this writing process. Whether it’s been good or bad times, you’ve never wavered in your encouragement. You all make this journey worth every step.
To my family who continue to believe in me.
As always, to Denny, my own hero and the man who shows me every day how love can be shared.
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Original Brotherhood Protectors Series
By Elle james
Brotherhood P
rotectors Series
Montana SEAL (#1)
Bride Protector SEAL (#2)
Montana D-Force (#3)
Cowboy D-Force (#4)
Montana Ranger (#5)
Montana Dog Soldier (#6)
Montana SEAL Daddy (#7)
Montana Ranger’s Wedding Vow (#8)
Montana SEAL Undercover Daddy (#9)
Cape Code SEAL Rescue (#10)
Montana SEAL Friendly Fire (#11)
Montana SEAL’s Bride (#12) TBD
Montana Rescue
Hot SEAL, Salty Dog
About Elle James
ELLE JAMES also writing as MYLA JACKSON is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of books including cowboys, intrigues and paranormal adventures that keep her readers on the edges of their seats. With over eighty works in a variety of sub-genres and lengths she has published with Harlequin, Samhain, Ellora’s Cave, Kensington, Cleis Press, and Avon. When she’s not at her computer, she’s traveling, snow skiing, boating, or riding her ATV, dreaming up new stories. Learn more about Elle James at www.ellejames.com
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Daniel's Choice: Brotherhood Protectors World Page 9
