Page 132 of Falling for the Grumpiest Protector

"She matters."

It isn't a question. "Yeah."

Diana studies me. "Then talk to her."

I look toward the empty road. "I plan to."

She gives me a small nod and reaches for her car door. "Diana."

She turns. I'm not sure what I'm going to say until I say it. "I'm glad you're happy."

Her eyes shine again. "I'm glad you're still here."

I nod. She gets into her car. I stand there while she drives away.

Atlas reaches me first. He comes across the yard and stops against my leg, and I rest my hand on his head without thinking. A minute later, Jack approaches from the equipment shed. He doesn't ask what happened. He just stands beside me. That's the thing about Jack. He knows when not to talk.

"Diego wants to meet me." Jack goes completely still. I keep looking toward the fields. "He doesn't know when. Diana doesn't either. But he told her he'll come when he's ready."

Jack lets out a breath. "Martinez."

"Yeah." His hand lands on my shoulder once, firm, then it's gone.

"He's twenty.” Jack is quiet. “He lives in Boston. Studying mechanical engineering." I almost laugh. "I didn't know any of that."

Jack looks at me. "You do now."

Yeah. I do.

We stand there another moment. Then Jack glances toward the parking lot. "And Maddy?"

I pull out my phone and press her name before I can think too much. The phone rings once, twice, three times. Voicemail. I end the call without leaving a message.

Jack raises an eyebrow.

"I'm going to her house."

His mouth shifts slightly. "Good."

"Don't."

"Didn't say anything."

"You were about to."

"Probably."

I head for my truck.

Helen's car is in the driveway when I pull up. Maddy's isn't. I sit behind the wheel for a second, staring at the empty space beside it. Then I get out.

Helen answers before I can knock a second time. "Javier."

"Hi, Helen." Her expression is warm, but there's something else behind it. Maybe she knows. Mothers usually do. "Is Maddy here?"

"No, I'm sorry. She went out a little while ago."

“Do you know where?”