talent. Maybe that’s why some rancher had found and called her in the middle of the night. Funny how I had my doubts.
“I hope I’ll have the opportunity to do that at some point. First, I have to get more patients. You can stop worrying about me, Mustang. I can take care of myself. I really can. My dad taught me how to shoot, making certain I could protect myself.”
“That’s what I’m worried about. This is serious, Danni. Let me get a handle on this. Okay?”
“You’re going to need to learn to trust me. My instincts are damn good.”
“And you’re going to need to learn to obey me.” A swell of desire as well as need to protect her refused to be denied. I wanted this girl.
In fact, there was no doubt now that she belonged to me.
When she lightly punched me in the stomach, I growled.
“I’ll be a good girl. Okay?”
I gave her a stern look. “Uh-huh. As long as you promise to stay here, I won’t need to punish you again.”
“I have a single friend left, Mustang. There’s no one to lean on. As I said, I have patients to see later today.”
I fingered her chin, inching closer until I could feel the heat of her body. “You’re one tough lady.”
She moved onto her toes and I realized just how cute she looked in fuzzy slippers and pajamas. The woman certainly knew exactly how to get under a man’s skin. “And you’re one mysterious cowboy Marine, Holt Wills.”
“You ain’t seen nothing yet, lady.” As I pressed my lips against hers, several images flashed into my mind as my instinct kicked into high gear.
None of them good.
Now I knew for certain that I needed to find out what the hell was going on.
“Kinda funny how you manage to come here around meal time,” Hawk said as he grinned.
Shrugging, I heard the pitter-patter of little feet just before Ashley tumbled outside, wrapping her arms around my legs.
“Unkie Muftang!” Ashley squealed with glee.
I bent down, closing my eyes as the little girl threw her arms around my neck, clinging to me. Ever since the day I’d met the little mighty mite, she’d acted as if I was family. I couldn’t imagine how difficult it remained for her, missing her father to the point she hadn’t talked for weeks. Only with Hawk’s careful love and attention had she begun to return to normal.
Whatever the hell normal was.
“And how is the little princess this morning?” I asked as I smiled up at Hawk.
“Baby girl, you don’t have a coat on. You need to go back inside. It’s time for breakfast.” He stood with his legs crossed in the threshold, his eyes twinkling. He’d handled becoming an instant father a hell of a lot better than I would have.
“I’m not a pwincess,” she insisted, pulling back. “I know, Daddy.”
“Then what are you today?” I asked.
She rolled her eyes, pointing to her purple and turquoise outfit. “I’m a mermaid, silly.”
“Oh! I can see that now.”
With a single flip of her hair, she thumped back inside with exaggerated footsteps. “Men.”
Both Hawk and I burst into laughter as I stood. “Let me guess. She’s very attached to Bryce,” I teased.
“How would you ever have guessed? My darling fiancée continues to believe the majority of men are the scourge of the earth.”
“So when’s the wedding?”
“Very funny. Probably in the spring. Bryce can’t make up her mind. How’s the pup?”
“Touch and go but the vet said he should be all right. The dog was shot.”
Hawk hissed. “Jesus Christ. Hunter?”
“Nope. Up close and personal with a handgun.”
“Any idea who the dog belongs to?”
I shook my head. “No ID of any kind.”
“Uh-huh. Well, I can tell something is on your mind and not just about the dog. Come inside, for God’s sake. I swear it’s going to snow today.” Hawk left the door open, walking toward the den.
I trailed behind him, waving to Bryce before walking into the room and shoving my hands into my jacket pockets.
“At least you found the vet,” Hawk said as he turned to look at me.
“Yeah, she’s very… helpful in her own defiant way.”
He lifted a single eyebrow, finally grinning. “Well, that sounds promising.”
“Frustrating is more like it. She’s the woman who accosted me at the auction. I’m sure you heard about that.”
“Yep. Tanner mentioned the whole thing to me. I’m not necessarily surprised. What did was the fact you didn’t tell me.”
“I didn’t think much of it, at least at first.” When I gave him