Chapter Twelve

" Y ou got it!" In Ledger's excitement over the perfect shot Demi made in the wolf's side, his whisper came out a bit too loud.

The animal slowed to a walk and then paced back and forth three times before falling over in the grass.

Over the radio they carried with them, a crackle sounded before the ranger's voice projected through the speaker. "Well done, Demi!"

In the moonlight her features were carved of blue ice and highlighted her smile. He studied her face harder, noting the fatigue that was starting to creep over her.

Some of her exhaustion was probably due to the three orgasms he'd given her earlier. He couldn't regret it though.

When she opened her mouth on a huge yawn, he grabbed the radio and pressed the button. "We're done here."

She snatched the radio out of his hand and pressed the button. "No, we're not."

He leveled her in a look. "You're tired."

"There are more wolves in the pack."

"They won't be coming back tonight. Not when we just put three of their ranks on the ground and carried them off to the pen in the back of Opal's truck."

"Um…Demi?" Opal came over radio. "You were holding in the button. And Ledger is right. You did fantastic for one night. You two make a good team."

He offered her an arched brow, and she rolled her eyes. Before she twisted her head away, he caught her private smile.

Finished here, he jumped to his feet and reached down to give her a hand up. "I'm impressed, Doc. You're a good shot."

"I'm impressed that you didn't try to take over. I know that must have been difficult for a SEAL who is probably a perfect shot."

He took her hand, searching her eyes. "I'd say patience is another of my strong points. I'll make one hell of a Lamaze coach."

She sucked in a shaky breath. Tears flooded her eyes, sparkling in the moonlight.

"Demi—"

She pushed away from him. "It's the hormones. I'm not crying because I'm touched that you even know that word, let alone thought about attending a class with me."

With a low chuckle, he gathered her into his arms. That lasted all of two seconds. When she caught a whiff of the smell of the wolves he'd carried to the truck clinging to his clothes, she shoved him away.

He spread his arms to his sides. "Does this mean I don't get to share the futon with you?"

She tossed a look over her shoulder. "If you don't shower and leave those clothes outside, I won't even let you in the she-shed with me!"

Coming up at a jog, Opal joined them. From the amused expression on her face, he guessed that she'd overheard their last exchange. He didn't care who knew what was going on between them. Hell, he'd shout it to the world the minute Demi gave the green light.

He strode to the wolf and leaned over to check that it was unconscious.

Demi bent over it too. After she gave him a nod of clearance, he took the heavy beast by two legs and hefted it over his shoulders.

The ladies followed him to the truck, and he loaded the wolf into the open pen.

Opal locked the gate and turned to them. "I'll take this one to the station and drop it off for the guys to process it just like the other two wolves. I've got to get home to my daughter."

Ledger nodded to her. "Stop by the ranch and let us know what's going on."

"Will do. See you later." She fixed her attention on Ledger and then slid it purposely to Demi.

He may not know Opal very well, but he'd been reading silent orders from his superiors for years. He read that look loud and clear.

With a nod to respond that he would look after Demi—and do it damn well—he slid a hand along Demi's spine to lead her to the SUV.

When they reached the door, he ushered her into the passenger seat. As soon as he slipped behind the wheel, she rolled down her window.

"Drive. Drive fast. You really smell."

Chuckling, he started the engine and backed out onto the driveway of the ranch that neighbored the Gracey.

She arched her back in a stretch. "What was that look you gave Opal?"

He switched the subject. "We had a good day, didn't we?"

"Ledger."

"Demi?"

"Tell me what that look was about."

He pushed out a sigh. "She didn't exactly tell me what she meant by it."

"But you knew."

He obviously wasn't getting out of this conversation.

"I'm good at reading people. I'm pretty sure she wanted me to take you home, put you in bed and make sure you're getting enough rest."

Across the console, he felt her stare on him. "You got all that from a look?"

He shrugged. "What can I say? I know what you need."

Her mouth popped open in indignation. Then she closed it and grew quiet, staring at the road in front of them.

Tell her. Tell her how you feel.

He tightened his lips. Now wasn't the time. She'd been on the go all day long. And while she'd devoured the picnic lunch, she hadn't been interested in the heavier food he snagged from the Graceys' kitchen for dinner. The fried chicken had hit the spot for him but Demi had turned a little green at the sight, so he'd taken his meal outside the she-shed and eaten standing up.

"Back to my question—we had a good day, didn't we?"

To his surprise, she reached out and settled a warm hand over the back of his. A vine of happiness sprouted, wrapping around his heart and constricting. Shooting her a look, he twisted his palm up to thread his fingers with hers.

"Our date was a success, Ledger."

"So…skinny-dipping again tomorrow?"

She tossed her head on a laugh. "If I can get off that futon tomorrow, I'll be surprised. I wish I wasn't so tired all the time. I can hardly wait for the first trimester to be over so I have more energy."

He didn't know much about pregnancies and babies, but he was good at looking things up. No way would he walk into this fatherhood thing blind.

"I'll do anything to help you, Demi."

She squeezed his hand. Across the dim space, their gazes met.

"I know you will, Ledger. I'm…starting to rely on you. Probably too much."

That tight knot of emotion in his chest pulled tighter, making it difficult to breathe. At the same time, his heart was soaring.

They'd only had one date, but the days they'd already spent together drove home what he already knew.

He wanted to raise this child with Demi.

He wanted her.

* * * * *

Ledger's hand was warm in hers as he led her across the thick grass to the she-shed. He'd left a light on over the door to illuminate the way.

She supposed it was the SEAL in him that made him always think ahead. While she considered herself a good planner and great with time management, he knew the next strategy before the first event ever happened.

When he unlocked the door, she searched his profile. His cowboy hat cast a shadow that concealed his eyes completely, but she knew their color by heart.

Once they were inside, he flipped on lights and made a circle of the space, checking out all the corners for unseen danger. At first, this action had bothered her. Now she saw it as something much different—the act showed how much he cared about her safety.

The cushions on the futon never looked so inviting. Her legs felt as if they weighed a thousand pounds each. After trudging only a few steps forward, her phone vibrated with a call.

She reached for the device. "That's my emergency line."

"Demi." His brows pinched with concern, which she ignored.

No matter how tired she was, people relied on her to be there to help their animals.

Bringing the phone to her ear, she met Ledger's gaze. "Dr. Demi."

"Hey, Doc. It's Jim Vale. I hate to call you on your day off, but my horse Maple isn't doing too well. She seems to have cut herself on something."

"I'm on my way. I'm not far—just over at the Gracey. I'll be right there." She was already grabbing her keys and moving to the door before ending the call.

She came up against a wall of muscle. Ledger stepped in front of the door, blocking her way.

"Where's the call?" he asked.

She started to answer, but a hard knock at the door cut her off.

Ledger whirled to answer it.

Webb stood there, sweat pouring down his face. His chest heaving. "We need you. One of the cows was attacked. Looks like the wolves found our herd."

"Fuck!" Ledger swung back to her.

She placed a hand on his arm and tilted her head to look up into his eyes. "Go! Take my dart gun."

His jaw flexed, and she knew he was barely holding back from telling her what he thought about only tranquilizing an animal that attacked one of the Gracey animals.

He gripped her shoulder. "I'm going with you on the call."

"No—they need you here. I'll be fine. I've done this a thousand times, Ledger."

He looked between her and Webb, then back to her. "I'm going with you."

"Trust me on this. You trusted me to dart those wolves."

Webb grunted. "Make your choice. I've gotta get out there." He took off, leaving them alone.

Ledger's lips hardened, and the tendon in the crease of his jaw flexed. "I don't fucking like this. I don't like being away from you."

Going on tiptoe, she slid her arms around his neck. She pressed her forehead against his. "I'll be fine. Go. Your men need you."

He crushed her against his chest and stamped her mouth with a hard kiss. "Be safe. Go straight there and come straight back. Promise me, Demi."

"I promise."

He released her body but held her prisoner with his blazing stare.

In that heartbeat, she saw the emotion in his eyes, and she knew. She knew how he felt about her…and she knew she felt the same.

The next few minutes were a whirlwind as she drove to the Springvale Ranch. Her mind spun. Wolves on the Gracey. Another attack.

And love shining in Ledger's eyes when he told her he didn't like being away from her.

Reaching the ranch, her headlights panned over the paddock, where she spotted a lone horse inside. With all the caution that Ledger had managed to instill in her, she left the vehicle running, and guided by the headlights, she approached the fence.

The horse let out a harsh whinny.

Demi looked around. "Where's your owner, Maple?" She glanced at its back haunch. Sure enough, there was a gash, freely bleeding.

It wasn't like Mr. Vale not to be with his animal, especially when he just made the call. And why wasn't the horse in the barn? Maybe Mr. Vale went inside to prepare a clean stall for the mare.

With a gentle, reassuring pat on Maple's side, she walked toward the open barn door. "Mr. Vale?"

As soon as she stepped through the door, her gaze fell on the man.

Lying facedown on the floor.

With an ax in his back.

She clapped a hand over her mouth. Terror ripped through her.

Her first instinct was to get out of there. The killer could still be lurking around. She didn't want to die, and she had a life to protect.

But the horse shouldn't be left alone either. She needed to tend to it, but her child came first.

She rushed to her SUV, peeked in the back to ensure it was all clear, and locked herself inside. With shaking hands, she dialed Ledger.