Page 87 of Forsaken Hearts
Because for the first time since Baghdad, he felt that same cold certainty crawling up his spine again.
He wasn’t just about to lose someone he was supposed to protect.
He was about to lose someone he loved.
* * * * *
Summer stood beneath the faded yellow umbrella beside the lemonade stand. The bright scent of lemons and sugar made her mouth water…and so did the man standing across the crowded grounds talking to Flint’s new owners.
Her heart was so full, seeing how he interacted with the child who was clearly thrilled to be Flint’s new owner. All she really saw was Vander. The love of her life.
Her future.
He bent to speak to the little blonde girl, and she laughed when Flint nudged her shoulder like he owned her instead of the other way around. Vander’s smile was quick and genuine, and oh, it did things to Summer’s heart that made her think about dragging him home for round two on the kitchen counter.
The child’s father stood nearby listening to Vander explain something with that steady patience he used around kids and animals.
Even selling his horse, Vander made sure Flint would end up loved and cared for before he let him go.
That was just who he was.
Protective. Loyal. Steady in ways she’d spent years convincing herself didn’t really exist.
Warmth spread through her chest again, thick enough to ache.
“Looks hot out here.”
The male voice beside her startled her, and she turned quickly.
The truck driver from the bar stood there holding two lemonades.
Gary.
He smiled easily and held one cup toward her. “Thought you might want something cold while you wait.”
“Oh.” Summer blinked once before accepting it. “Thank you.”
“No problem.”
She glanced back toward Vander again. He still stood with the little girl and her father near the pens. Summer smiled softly to herself before taking a sip of the lemonade.
The sweetness hit first. Then something bitter underneath it. Maybe too much lemon.
Her stomach turned faintly.
Gary leaned casually against the stand beside her. “Auction’s packed.”
“Yeah.” She swallowed again and frowned slightly down at the drink. “Busier than I expected.”
“Gets worse every year.”
Summer took another sip as her eyes drifted back toward Vander.
The crowd between them suddenly seemed thicker somehow. Louder too. The bright sunlight pressing down across the grounds felt sharper against her eyes.
A strange wave of dizziness rolled through her head.
“You all right?” Gary’s eyes creased in concern.
