The Hero I Need

Tears dot her eyes like tiny diamonds.

She’s shaking her head.

“You...you can’t do that. You have your home, your bar, your people, the town...and...and the girls have their home, friends, and school. They’re at that age where it’d suck royally to tear them away from all that.” She presses a hand to my cheek, raking those soft fingers through my beard, her chest heaving and fluttering and full of regrets.

But I knew this was coming, the kill shot to our dream, and I’ll never regret trying.

I’ll never regret loving Willow Macklin.

“Darling,” I start, but she pushes a slim finger against my lips.

“Wait. I could never ask, never expect you to give up Dallas. Or the girls. They need the stability. They need the house. They need the big-hearted people. They need Uncle Hank, Weston, Granny Coffey, Joyce, and everyone else. Most of all, they need you and the life you’ve built for them, giving the people of Dallas a cozy place to gather with the Bobcat. Trust me, I know. I traveled the world with my father and, sure, it’s exciting at times, but it’s hardly ideal. Not for girls who should be worried about their next math test or what boy they have a crush on.”

My hopes are falling, shattering to pieces with every word.

I get it.

I really do.

And I’m finally in a place where I have to believe the pain can make me stronger—even if having a Willow-shaped hole in my life means a lingering weakness I’ll never fill.

“I see,” I whisper.

“No, you don’t see.” She kisses me softly, her eyes so bright. “Because I sorta really suck at words when it comes to things like this, so...here’s what I’m trying to say. I love you, too, Grady.”

The corners of my lips turn up, and I’d kiss her like mad if only she wasn’t still speaking.

“I don’t know how it happened so fast, how it blindsided both of us, but I fell in love with your daughters and your life and you. Especially you. I don’t want to travel the world. Not if it means you’re not a part of it. I’m even questioning if I should have a career with exotics, honestly. In fact, while I sort things out...I’m thinking a nanny sounds like a pretty sweet side gig. Much safer, too.” With a shrug and a bashful smile that sets my heart on fire, she asks, “You don’t know anyone who needs a live-in nanny, do you? Ideally for a set of rambunctious twins who totally love animals. And if they’ve got a big, strong, overprotective bearded daddy, well—”

I can’t take it anymore.

I’m on her lips like they’re life itself, and it turns out they absolutely are.

My breath.

My passion.

My spark.

My all.

I kiss the love of my life so hard it almost makes me blind. And when I finally pull myself back together again, I press my forehead to hers.

“You’re in luck. I do know someone who needs a nanny, and you’re the only one being considered for the job. Applicant needs the heart of an angel, a whole lot of humor, and knockout good looks.” I brush the hair away from her face as she giggles. Music to my ears. “But before you’re on payroll, I’ve gotta ask: what about Bruce? What about all the other cats out there who need you? You really sure you’re willing to walk away from all that?”

“I’m willing to ponder it for a while. Miracles can happen, and I think you’ll agree after what just went down tonight. Maybe we’ll find a way to have it all,” she tells me, stopping for another smiley kiss. Then, frowning, she looks at me for a long thoughtful moment. “So you do like him. You really like Bruce, don’t you?”

I shrug, biting back a smile.

“He has a way of growing on a dude,” I say.

She laughs, then whispers close to my lips, “I love you, Grady McKnight. Every ornery ounce of muscle and ink and that soft, sweet heart you’re always trying to hide.”

Guilty.

She knows me too well.

Even so, there’s only one thing that matters now.

I bring my lips to hers and spend the rest of the night showing her just how much I love her, in every frenzied untamed way I can.

23

Tiger Rescue (Willow)

Never in my life have I woken up elated, gliding on air, even though I have a shiner like a black halo that still has one side of my face stinging.

Walking into Grady’s house yesterday afternoon felt like more of a homecoming than I’ve ever had.

Yes, there was a crowd of people there to greet us a mile long, but inside is where I really felt it.

Like this is the place where I’m destined to belong.

I stretch my arms over my head and roll over. The empty pillow next to me is a tiny bit disappointing—until I hear water running.