Angus smirks, shaking his head. “All good things, of course.”
She raises an eyebrow and grins, her brown eyes twinkling. “Mostly.”
I huff out a short laugh, and something in me eases a little.
A moment of quiet understanding passes between us before she gives me a small nod. Respect. Recognition.
Then, before I realize what’s happening, she steps forward and wraps her arms around me.
I freeze.
Not because it’s unwelcome but unexpected.
Her embrace is warm, steady, and full of gratitude I don’t know how to handle.
“Thank you,” she murmurs, voice soft but firm. “For bringing him home.”
I don’t know what to do with my hands. I can feel Angus watching, probably enjoying the hell out of my discomfort.
After a beat, I awkwardly pat her back. Then, with a sigh, I give in and hug her properly.
It’s brief, but it settles something deep in my chest.
Luna pulls back, smiling like she knows exactly how much she’s rattled me.
I clear my throat, shifting my weight. “Was just doing my job.”
Angus snorts. “That’s his way of saying ‘you’re welcome.’”
Luna chuckles. “I figured.”
I shake my head, sinking into the chair beside Angus. “I’m glad you’re okay, Luna. Angus told me about the barn fire.”
Her smile falters for a fraction of a second—long enough to glimpse the memory behind her eyes. Then she nods. “Yeah. It was close.”
Too close. I don’t need the details to know that. It’s in the way Angus looks at her like she’s a miracle. In the faint shadows still lingering beneath her eyes.
“He said it wasn’t an accident,” I say quietly.
“No,” Luna replies, voice level. “Someone meant to hurt us. Me.”
The weight of that sits between us for a moment, solid and cold.
“But they didn’t,” she adds, a spark lighting her gaze. “They failed. And we’re still here.”
Angus reaches out, lacing his fingers through hers, grounding her. Or maybe the other way around. I look away, giving them a moment.
A few beats later, Luna’s voice softens. “The new barn’s going up fast. We’re trying to finish it for the Veteran’s Day Fundraiser.”
I nod slowly. This woman is stronger than she looks. No wonder Angus married her.
“I’ll keep watch,” I say. “During the rebuild. During the fundraiser. You won’t have to look over your shoulder.”
Angus nods. “That’s why I called you.”
Luna’s smile is soft. “I don’t like the circumstances that brought you here, Beckett, but I’m glad you came.”
I glance at Angus, then back at her. “Me, too.”
