Squeezing her eyes closed, she felt a tremble tap through her spine. Her knees were weak, and her chest was tight.
“Shh…” he said again, squeezing her to his solid body and surrounding her with his strength. “Come on, it’s over now.”
With effort, she managed to release a sigh, and with it, some of the tension knotting her shoulders.
“That’s it,” he said softly. “I’ve got you.”
A tear rolled down her cheek.
“Look at me.” He tipped her chin so she was looking up at him. He frowned. “Hey. Why the tears?”
“I was so scared, for you, for us.”
“But I had it under control.” He wiped the tear away with the tip of his thumb.
“But what if…?”
“What good are what-ifs? What’s happened happened, and it’s all good, we’re all good.”
“I know, but—”
“Stop. Look forward in life, not back.” He touched his lips to hers. “How about pancakes, huh?”
“Pancakes?” How could he be thinking of food? “Really?”
“Yeah, I’m starving. Let’s go eat.” He plucked at his shorts. “These’ll soon dry off.”
“Er, okay.” She nodded. “I’ve had enough of the beach for one day.”
“I hope I haven’t ruined it for you forever.”
She glanced out to sea. “No, not forever, but I’ll be glad to put a bit more distance between myself and sharks for the rest of today.”
Chapter Seven
Wyatt ordered two of the specials at the local diner. Pancakes loaded with crispy bacon, onions, eggs, mushrooms, and tomatoes, topped off with maple syrup.
“Wow,” Belle said when her plate was set in front of her. “This could feed a family.” She sipped her black coffee.
“Just eat what you want. What you leave, I’ll take off your hands when I’m done here.” He stabbed a piece of bacon and shoved it into his mouth.
She studied him for a moment, eyebrows slightly raised.
He swallowed. “What?”
“Nothing.” She smiled and picked up her cutlery. “So, tell me, were you a compound kid?”
“Sure was. Grew up with Carter and Jayden. They’re like brothers.”
She nodded and ate a cherry tomato. “Yeah, I’ve met them. Carter’s Vice President, right?”
“Not officially, but it’s looking likely to be made that way soon. His old man was the last president, before Hudson.”
“What happened to him?”
“Shot in the head at a scuffle with bastards trying to rob us down in Arizona.”
“Shit. That’s bad. Poor Carter.”