“Methinks you’re exaggerating.”
“Methinks you’re not giving this enough consideration.”
Zeke was quiet for a moment. “Is there another reason you don’t want me to escort you?”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know, you tell me.” His attention flicked to the kids. “I saw the way you looked at me when I carried Brodie to the house.”
He had noticed. She wished she could set his mind at ease, but the truth was she still hadn’t worked through the conflicting feelings of seeing her son in another man’s arms.
“There’s no other reason,” she lied. “I’m just trying to protect you from my well-meaning, but aggressive, family.”
“Then it’s a date.”
Although accidentally, she had just presented the team with a potential breakthrough in their recovery effort. But rather than enthusiasm and appreciation, Zeke’s tone was flat, unemotional.
As if a light flickered out somewhere deep in his heart.
The practice soon ended, and they stashed away the equipment before leaving the range. As if by written agreement, Zeke and Sadie veered toward the Annex and Liv and Brodie went to the Friary to finish their morning rituals.
The farther Liv moved away from Zeke, the more her unease grew. She wanted Brodie to get to know Zeke. She wanted to know him better, too.
But her cautionary voice took a stab at her floundering resolve.
Would the cost be greater than the reward?