Chapter Two
Ava smiled down at the adorable four-year-old as she pulled her across the yard. She loved all children, but this one had a special place in her heart because she met Katie and her mom at the library during a storybook hour Ava had set up first thing after taking over for the old librarian. She felt that the earlier a child started reading, the better chance they had to succeed in school.
Katie was always enthusiastic about every story, clapped at the end of each book, and always gave Ava a hug when they were leaving. Ava loved seeing her but had also made a good friend out of her mother.
She’d met so many good people since she moved to town, and she couldn’t believe how lucky she was. A week after she moved, Nia and a few of her friends came into the library where she worked, and they’d all hit it off instantly.
Their outlook on life was remarkably similar, and Ava couldn’t believe she’d met women just like her. Ones who didn’t believe or fit in with the current standards and morals women their age seemed to have.
They were friends she would treasure forever, and she was finding a sense of peace here she hadn’t experienced in a long time. She felt at home, like this was where she was supposed to be all along.
These were the first friendships she’d had since her split from her boyfriend. She’d been forbidden to have one while they were together, and he’d made sure he had run all her old friends away.
Ava shook her head. She needed to stop thinking about Alan, her ex. He was out of her life, and she had moved on. She’d made a life for herself in the small town, and she wasn’t going to let him ruin anything again.
They came to a large plaid blanket laid on the ground. Several children were either sitting or playing on the playset close by. Ava got comfortable on the blanket, sitting with her legs tucked under her, making sure her skirt covered her legs. Katie sat next to her, telling her about her pet cat.
In the middle of her story, Katie squealed, startling Ava, and jumped up and ran into the arms of a large man who stood just behind her. The man picked her up and threw her in the air, making the little girl scream and giggle. After catching her, he held her in his arms, rubbing his cheek against the girl’s head and listening to her babble.
Ava was paralyzed, staring way up at him. She started getting a crick in her neck, but she couldn’t find the strength to pull her gaze away from him.
Oh, my Lord, she’d never seen a scarier or more appealing man in her life. He was a large man. Much taller than herself. His shoulders were wide and strong, and his arms were corded with muscle. The man’s stomach was flat and tapered down to slim hips encased in faded jeans. Her gaze ran back up and collided with his. A hot flush crept up her face at being caught staring at him before she dropped her gaze to her lap, squeezing her hands tightly together.
****
Sean smiled, pleased she noticed him. He crouched next to Ava and set the little girl down gently. After a quick hug, she ran off to play with her friends.
“Hi,” he said.
Still crouched, he waited for Ava to look back up at him. When she didn’t right away, he gently grasped her chin, bringing her gaze back to him.
He lightly ran his thumb across her chin. She jerked back, her eyes starting to show her anxiety, and he hated seeing that emotion in her face. So he set out to calm her and spoke softly, trying not to frighten her more than she already was.
“Hi, sweetheart. My name’s Sean. I’m friends with Travis and Nia.”
When she continued to watch him warily, he lay down on his side on the blanket facing her and in front of her, making himself as small as possible. He crossed legs and leaned on his elbow, and tried to look as casual as possible. “What’s your name?”
Ava jolted a little. His eyes followed her tongue as it nervously ran over her upper lip, making his body tighten and harden painfully. He moved his leg, causally adjusting himself without her noticing.
He smiled gently. “Are you a spy?” he asked. He hoped it would make her laugh and relax a bit.
Her eyes widened, clearly confused. “Wh—what?”
His smile grew. “Well, you won’t tell me your name, so I’m guessing you’re either a spy or in hiding.”
When she flinched, he tried to conceal the flash of anger he felt at the thought of this woman being hurt or having to conceal herself from anyone. When she trusted him, he would ask her what she was hiding from.
“So, are you a spy?”
She looked down at her hands and quietly murmured. “Ava,” she whispered. “My name’s Ava.”
God, she was so sweet. Sean knew with certainty she was his because he felt it in his heart like she had always been a part of his soul. He knew Travis was right about something happening to her. It didn’t deter him. He just knew he’d have to go slow and show patience. Something he wasn’t good at but would do for her because losing her wasn’t an option.
After hearing so many stories of his friends and when they saw their littles for the first time, he’d always scoffed that they knew instantly, but now he knew how they felt.
He waited until she looked at him. “It’s very nice to meet you, Ava.”
“It’s nice meeting you, too.”
When she started to rise to move away from him, he held her arm, keeping her in place while trying not to scare her. “Ava, you don’t have to be afraid of me, ever.” He ran his thumb lightly over her wrist, feeling her rapid pulse. “Ask anyone here about me. I’m a good guy, and I’ve spent my life protecting people, especially women and children.” He paused to let that sink in before asking. “Travis says you’re new in town?”
She seemed to try to relax and then nodded.
He smiled. “I just wanted to introduce myself to you. I know what it’s like to move to a town where you don’t know hardly anyone. I just did that not so long ago. I’d like to help. Be there for you.”