Page 52 of Falling for the Grumpiest Protector

"I can show you."

No hesitation. No teasing. Just an offer. I look toward the open barn door.

"All right."

Emma smiles.

"I'll find you before I leave."

I narrow my eyes at her. She is entirely too pleased with herself.

Javier doesn't take me toward the fields. I notice immediately. Instead, we walk past the main barn toward a cluster of buildings farther up the gravel path. Atlas moves beside him.

"So," Javier says, "what did Emma tell you?"

"Not much."

"Smart woman."

"She said you and Jack could explain it better."

"That sounds like volunteering us for work."

"She does that."

"Constantly."

I smile.

"So where do we start?"

He looks across the property.

"Depends what you want to know."

Yesterday, I might have given him a list. Today, standing here, I realize I don't want facts. I want to understand.

"Why this?"

His eyes come back to mine.

"The farm?"

"All of it."

For a moment, he doesn't answer. Then he nods toward the building ahead.

"Come on."

We walk.

"This was the original farmhouse," he says. "Jack bought the property before there was really a program. Mostly because he needed somewhere to land."

"After the service?"

"Yeah."

"And you?"