The Hero I Need

“Grady...you’re the friend who just rescued her, correct?” Peter sounds every bit like the worldly, educated man I imagined.

I glance down at Willow and smile.

“Yes, sir. My friends and I did the saving, but I have to tell you, she was already well on her way to rescuing herself by the time we got here.”

Her father chuckles. “Sounds like my girl. I’ll be catching a flight home to the States tomorrow. Where will she be?”

“Dallas, North Dakota,” I say intently. “Just a stone’s throw from Dickinson.”

“Excellent. I’ll be there as soon as possible, and Mr. McKnight, thank you again.” His voice cracks. “That girl is my world. I appreciate your assistance with keeping her safe more than I can put into words.”

“I can see why, sir.” My throat feels thick. “I’m gonna let you say bye to her now.”

I hand Willow the phone and tug her closer, folding my hands around her waist, as she agrees with her father’s need to see her. The call wraps up with a few more emotional goodbyes and tears on both sides.

“That’s the only reason they hired me,” she says, giving back the phone. “To extort money from my father.” She wipes at her eyes. “I should have known. I’m no expert on big cats. No expert on anything, really.”

“Hey, woman.” I tighten my hold, a promise in the pressure that screams forever. “What happened was their fault—not yours by a mile—and I think you’re goddamn brilliant.” There’s more I want to tell her, but now’s not the time or place.

We just lock eyes, trading slow, desperate kisses. The kind that come back sticky with heart and soul and every dirty thing I want to do to her.

I don’t let up till a new ambulance pulls in. I kiss the top of her head and then release her and steer her back to the bigger group of people.

“You need to get that gash on your head checked out.”

It’s hours later before we’re alone. Both she and Weston have MRI scans to make sure there’s no internal damage from the hideous blows to their heads.

Every time I think about it, I wish I’d done more than just shoot out that bastard’s arm. If I’d known Niles Foss was the one who did it when I pulled the trigger...

I damn well likely would’ve aimed between his eyes.

After an age passes and we’re finally settled into bed at the motel, I lie down beside her, grateful for life to have her wrapped up in my arms.

She snuggles in close, resting her head on my shoulder.

Yeah. Resting right where she always belongs.

“I’m sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused,” she whispers again. “Also, I’m sorry for leaving like I did. It just hurt too much back at your farm, and I didn’t want to—”

“Hush,” I rumble, silencing her with a kiss on top of her head. “I’m not sorry. Everything we’ve been through was one big wake up call. Before you showed up, I was trapped in the past, afraid what might happen if I ever tried to move beyond it, thinking I’d be destined for more heartbreak. Frankly, I was so far up my own ass I’d forgotten all the good things. Everything worth living for.”

She tilts her head to look up at me, a hot new life in those sparkling blue eyes.

“Weston told me how—how tragic Brittany’s death was for you. I’m so sorry for that, Grady. I think I get why you’re so protective and careful with Sawyer and Avery. After what you went through...anyone would be.”

I kiss the top of her nose.

“Thanks, gorgeous. I thought I understood, too,” I say. “And I’ll always be a papa grizzly when it comes to my girls, but I also have to let them live. I have to stop worrying and let myself have a life.” I touch the side of her face, gently, where the butterfly stitches cover the gash.

A fire whips through me, an urge to split my heart open and start living a little more like I promised right the hell now.

“This might sound insane, but shit, I’m past caring,” I tell her, clasping her chin in my fingers. “I love you, Willow Wisp. Don’t know exactly when it happened, or how, but the fact is it did. I learned to love again like a man should. And if you’re willing, if there’s even a ghost of a chance...fuck, I want to see if we can work something out.”

“Grady—”

I press a finger to her lips, needing to get this all out before she shoots me down like the sappy overgrown bear I’ve become.

“Let me finish. I love everything about you, including your passion for your work. Don’t care what anybody else thinks. To me, you’re an expert on big cats and one day I know you’ll be as famous and respected as your father. I want to support you in that. So, I’ve been thinking...maybe the girls and I could join you. Wherever your work takes you, we’ll follow.”