Chapter 8

Geneva

J immy plops down next to me on the park bench while I watch Bo play with three kids ages four to seven. He's the happiest I've ever seen him, and my heart swells with a myriad of emotions.

Joy and pride at my resilient boy who, despite what he's been through, only sees the good in people.

Gratitude for our hosts who not only house and feed us, but want to love and protect us.

But also a touch of sorrow. Bo should have had this all along, and I'm terrified I'm going to have to rip this away from him in a couple of weeks.

"He's such a great kid." Jimmy opens a soft-sided cooler and offers me seltzer water.

"Yeah." I smile and accept the cool can.

"How are you feeling?" he says softly, as if he's not sure he should be asking.

"I feel strong for the first time in a long time."

Jimmy nods and looks down at his cream soda. "I'm sorry someone hurt you. No one should have to live with abuse like we have, but there seem to be a lot of bad people out there."

"Like we have?" I turn my attention his way. "What do you mean?"

"Dinah and I have only been in Montana for a month." He motions to the house behind us. "They rescued us—Kade, Erick, and Cricket—and then Nan, Wiley, and Sly saved my life. I was duped and made a huge mistake, putting both of our lives in danger."

"What kind of danger?"

He cast his eyes to the ground. "Some men sold us to other men who hunted us on a ranch ten miles north of here."

"Oh my god!" I slap my hand over my mouth, absolutely horrified at the implications of his one sentence. "Hunted? Like animals?"

"Sorry. I'm not sure if I'm supposed to talk about it." He glances around. "Don't tell anyone I said that."

I reach out and squeeze his hand. "I'm so sorry, Jimmy. That's horrific."

"It's okay. The guys fixed it and those bad men can't do it to anyone else." He takes a long draw off his soda can. "A lot of good came out of it too. Dinah met her soulmate. She and Kade are getting married this fall and I can't wait to be Uncle Jimmy to their kids."

"They only met a month ago and they're already engaged?" Warning bells go off in my head because that's how it was with me and John. He spared no expense sweeping me off my feet and locking me down before I had time to realize something was off. I had no family in Spokane, only a few friends, so it's not like I had anyone watching out for me.

"Yeah, but it's like that with these guys. When they meet the one, they just know. Luckily, so did Dinah." He shrugs. "She says being next to Kade calms her and makes her feel safe regardless of the situation. Plus, she says he smells amazing, like a dessert that makes her mouth water."

I stare at him as a million thoughts rush through my brain. It makes no sense, but I can relate. "That's weird."

"How so?"

"I think Wiley smells good, and he definitely has a calming effect on me and Bo."

"He would as your?—"

"Hey!" Wiley comes jogging up behind us. "How's Bo enjoying the park?"

Speak of the devil, I can't help but look up and smile. Last night I went to sleep with Bo by my side, but my mind was on Wiley and his friends.

Well, mostly Wiley.

There was a moment when I innocently flirted without fear, but then it wasn't so innocent as my body reacted in a way it hasn't in years. I wasn't allowed to say no to sex with John, but it's been a long time since I actively wanted it.

Last night, I was thinking hard about it.

"He's having a blast."

"Good." Wiley glances at Jimmy. "Are you ready for work?"

"Yeah." Jimmy glances at his watch. "I guess it is that time."

"Do you want a ride?"

"No. It's only a few blocks, and the weather is nice. I'll walk. See you guys tonight."

"See you later," I say, watching Jimmy walk over to Bo to high five him before jogging back to the house. "He's sweet."

"Yeah, he's a good guy." Wiley takes a seat next to me and casually drapes his arm behind my shoulder. "Can I take you and Bo to lunch?"

I press my lips together, the heat of his body soaking into my skin. Inhaling deeply, I turn my face to look up at him, his eyes shimmering with knowledge.

He knows he's sexy.

And he knows he affects me. I shouldn't like it, but I kind of do. "I was wondering if we could contact your friends and initiate new identification cards for me and Bo?"

He arches one eyebrow. "Are you leaving me already?"

"No, but I can't apply for a job without some kind of ID, and I assume it will take weeks to accomplish."

"My friends will have it to us within twenty-four hours of me making the call, but if it makes you feel better, we'll call him tonight."

"Thank you, Wiley."

"You never have to thank me for taking care of you, Geneva."

I smile and glance down at my hands clenched tightly around my can of seltzer water. Part of me really wants to lean into him, press my face into the warmth of his neck, and inhale deeply. "What cologne do you wear?"

"Cologne?"

"Yeah. I've never smelled anything quite like it."

"I don't wear cologne." He leans down and puts his lips to my ear. "That's all me, babe."

Babe. Babe?

Shaking my head, I pull back and look him in the eye. "What is it about you?"

Wiley grins. "Do I drive you wild?"

"Something like that."

He chuckles. "I'll make you a deal. Spend the day with me. Let me take you and Bo to lunch, and then we'll hit a couple of stores to make the next few weeks more comfortable for everyone. Tonight, after Bo goes to bed, I'll explain it to you."

"You'll explain why I feel so calm and safe with you?"

"And everything else you're feeling too." The smile on his face tells me he knows exactly the reaction I'm having to him.

"Uncle Wiley!" Bo comes running up with two boys and a little girl.

"Hey, man." Wiley pulls away from me and leans down, scooping Bo into his arms and setting him on his lap. "Who are your friends?"

"This is Tate, Tim, and Jenny." Bo points to each one and then to a house that backs up to the park. "They live over there."

We follow his finger and see a woman sitting at the fence, waving at us.

I wave back. "Do you know her?"

"Yeah, that's Julie. Her husband Tom rides with us."

Bo drinks down my seltzer, burps loudly, giggles along with the kids, and then turns to Wiley. "Tate says I can't be a bear if you're my uncle."

"Oh." Wiley tsks. "We're not telling Bo he can't be a bear."

"But—" Tate, the oldest boy, speaks up.

"Nope." Wiley cuts him off and shakes his head. "And if you need a reminder, I'll ask your dad to explain it."

The boy deflates. "Fine. I remember."

"What's going on?" I ask curiously.

Wiley reaches out and squeezes my knee. "We'll talk about it later. Are you hungry, Bo?"

"For chicken nuggets?"

"Sure."

"Yes, please."

I bite my lip and glance around the park again for the tenth time in the last forty minutes. "Maybe we should lie low while we're here?"

Wiley ignores me and speaks to the kids. "Thanks for playing. We'll see you tomorrow."

The kids say goodbye to Bo and run off at the same time Wiley stands and sets my son on his feet. He offers me his hand. "Come on, Geneva."

Bo runs ahead of us toward the house and I lower my voice. "Are you sure it's safe?"

"Yes. I have my friend tracking your ex's movements and communications. I promise you're safe with me."

I think about what Jimmy said and give Wiley my hand, letting him pull me into his chest. He wraps his arm around my shoulder and kisses my temple, whispering in my ear. "I've got you. Both of you."

W e spend the day like a normal family—together, happy, and stress free. I feel no pressure to not make eye contact with others, or risk being accused of flirting because I accidentally smile at someone.

I think Bo feels the difference too. He's happy and playful.

And Wiley is amazing with him, just like a father should be.

First, we go to lunch where I give Carla back the money she slipped me and thank her for being kind. She let me know that if I want to meet her sister, we can get together tomorrow, which works great for me. Then, we head into Great Falls to hit up a few stores. Wiley insists we buy a couple of outfits for Bo and myself, as well as my normal hair and skin care products, and all of Bo's favorite snacks. I told him I can't afford to grab a bunch of items that I'll have to carry with me later.

He frowned and said, "If you decide to move in a couple of weeks, I will help you get settled wherever you go. So don't worry about how much stuff you accumulate. You won't be carrying anything. I told you, I've got you."

I've been thinking about his words, consistent as they have been, all day.

He terrifies me, but only because I'm so comfortable with him. It's like he's my missing piece, which is crazy considering my life is an absolute mess right now. He wants to take care of us, but I can't imagine pulling someone else into my bullshit.

After Jimmy's abbreviated story this morning, I don't doubt that Wiley and his friends can protect us. I just don't understand why he wants to.

Of course, he says he'll tell me everything tonight after Bo goes to bed. What could he possibly say to explain my intense attraction to him?

I don't know, but I'm antsy to hear it.

Meanwhile, Bo has glued himself to Wiley as his perpetual shadow—practically a mini-me.

"Do you have any sevens?" I ask from my end of the couch after a full day of running errands.

Wiley arches his brow and leans down to whisper in Bo's ear who replies, "Go fish."

I pick up the last card from the deck, a seven, and lay them down as Wiley tells Bo which card to ask for. "Give me your Kings, Momma!"

Dramatically sighing, I hand him the three Kings I've been saving for him. "You win, Bo Bo."

"Rawr!" Bo giggles as Wiley tickles his sides.

"What time is it?" Bo asks as I gather all the cards.

"It's bedtime, kiddo."

"I thought so." He makes a show of yawning and stretching his arms over his head. I'm so lucky he's good about going to bed.

"Why don't you do your thing and I'll clean up." Wiley's eyes lock onto mine and I swear they sparkle with mischief. He's been playfully affectionate all day, guiding me around with his hand on the small of my back and pressing chaste kisses to my temple whenever possible.

"Okay." I hand him the cards and pull the blanket off my legs. "Give Wiley a hug and thank him for all of your stuff today."

Bo turns and throws his arms around his neck. "Thank you."

"My pleasure, buddy."

"I love you," Bo says as he runs up the stairs with me trailing after him.

"Love you too," Wiley says, his eyes shifting from Bo to me.

Part of me thinks I should squash this behavior, but Bo is happy, and honestly, so am I. Having someone love and fawn over my little boy means everything to me.

Bo brushes his teeth without complaint before crawling into bed.

"I like it here, Momma," he says for the eighth time today.

"I know." I kiss his forehead and lay down next to him. "You want to tell me a story?"

"One day Tate is going to turn into a big bear like his daddy, but he says I can't."

"What?"

"He says if Wiley is my uncle, I'd turn into a wolf, but I want to be a bear, Momma."

"You are a bear. You're Momma's protective bear."

"But that wolf backed down that black bear at the river, so maybe I should learn more about wolves?"

"You should learn about all of them. They're all apex predators, I think." I rub his back after he rolls into his falling asleep position.

"What does apex mean?"

"Top of the food chain. It means they rule their domains. They are in charge and everyone fears them."

"Fear?"

"Ummm, maybe respect is a better word."

"Are they mean?" Bo says sleepily.

"I don't know. I don't think so."

"I'm not gonna be a mean bear, Momma."

"Of course not, Bo. You are a sweet boy and will grow up to be a considerate man someday." I press another kiss to his temple. "But not too soon, okay?"

"Okay." Bo rubs his face into his pillow. "Night night."

And that's my cue.

I roll off the bed and take a look at my reflection in the mirror. A need to primp takes hold as excitement builds in my belly. Part of me has wanted a few private moments with Wiley all day, just to see what he would do. I feel like he was holding himself back, despite each sweet simple touch infused with desire.

Or maybe I'm projecting my growing feelings on him.

I grab my newly bought cosmetics, a clean pair of yoga pants with a tank top and long sleeve T-shirt, and shut myself in the bathroom. Taking a quick shower, I wash and condition my hair and use my favorite body oil that smells like orange blossoms.

After brushing my teeth, I debate putting on mascara and decide against it. I don't want to look like I'm trying too hard to—what?

What am I excited for?

Flirting?

Adult interaction?

Sex?

Oh my god. It's been so long since I've felt anything like this. The high I used to get from flirting died years ago. Any endorphins from feeling desired went with it. But that's what I'm feeling right now—a rush of dopamine driving me to primp for Wiley's attention.

How far will it go?

How far should I let it go?

What happens if we go too far or not far enough and he changes his mind about helping us?

No… he wouldn't do that. I don't know how I know, but I'm positive Wiley won't revoke his protection regardless of what does or doesn't happen between us.

With that peace of mind, I turn off the bathroom light and slip on the flip-flops he bought me today. I stop at the top of the stairs and take a deep breath, the butterflies on my stomach doing little somersaults.

Here I go, embarking on what weirdly feels like a date.