Page 124 of Falling for the Grumpiest Protector

I haven't seen that name on my phone in years.

Atlas comes closer.

I open the email. It's short.

Javier,

I know I don't have the right to ask anything of you. But I need to talk to you. There are things I should have said a long time ago.

I'm coming to Oakridge tomorrow.

It's about Diego.

I read the last line twice. Then a third time.

Diego.

My son.

And just like that, the past I've spent years learning how to live with is on its way to Oakridge.

Chapter Fifteen

Madison

By ten the next morning, I have already decided Javier Martinez is dangerous. Not in the obvious ways. Those I can handle. It's the quieter ones that are becoming a problem.

Like the fact that my car was sitting in our driveway when I came downstairs this morning.

Apparently Javier had decided returning it wasn't enough. He'd also stopped somewhere between Willow & Vine and my house to run it through a car wash.

Mom found that romantic. Noah found it suspicious. I found myself standing at the kitchen window with coffee in my hand, staring at my very clean car and smiling like an idiot.

Which brings me back to dangerous.

Now I'm at Oakridge Veterans Farm trying to hold a metal bracket steady while Jack works beneath the hood of one of the utility trucks.

"Little higher."

I lift it.

"Too high."

I lower it.

"That's too low."

I look down at the top of his head. "Jack."

"Right there."

"You're enjoying this."

"Immensely."

I shake my head. "You know, when Emma said you could use help this morning, I pictured dogs."

"Dogs can't hold brackets."