She shrugs and sighs. “I need to go into town and look at my house.”

“It’s being taken care of.”

“Josh, it’s my house. I need to go look at it.”

I don’t like it. I want to protect her, and I definitely don’t want her going anywhere near that house.

“It’s not safe.”

“What are you doing here?” Seth asks from the doorway, his face full of surprise.

Cara tries to pull herself out of my lap, and because Seth is here, I let her go.

For now.

“The storm did some damage to Cara’s house last night, so she came here. She’s going to be staying with me for a while.”

Seth’s solemn gaze turns to Cara and he walks over to her, watching her carefully. “Did you get hurt?”

“Just scared more than anything.”

“What happened?” he asks, sounding much older than his twelve years.

“A tree fell on my roof.”

Seth blanches and his face goes pale. He suddenly throws his arms around Cara and hugs her tight.

She blinks back tears as she pushes her fingers through his dark hair soothingly. “I’m okay, sweetie. The house will be fixed.”

“I don’t give a shit about your house! You could have gotten really hurt.”

I love this kid.

Cara gives Seth a quick squeeze and brushes a tear from her cheek. “Can I borrow some sweats, Josh? I need to get some clothes from my place today.”

“You’re not going back there alone,” Seth insists, scowling. “I’ll go with you.”

“You can come,” she agrees, and looks up at me expectantly. “Sweats?”

“Seth, go help Louie for a few minutes. I’ll come get you when we’re ready to go to town.”

Seth nods and runs out to help in the pasture.

“I have sweats you can wear.” I pull her back into my arms, tilt her head back, and gaze into her eyes. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I will be,” she whispers. “You help.”

“Good.” I nod and lead her to the bedroom to find her some sweats.

“Should I move into the spare room?”

“Fuck no. You’re with me, sweetheart.” I stare over at her, daring her to argue, but she smiles slowly and pulls my sweats over her hips, over the shorts. They’re at least five sizes too big, and I want nothing more than to strip her out of them.

“We’d better go.”

Chapter Six

CARA

The house looks no better in the light of day, but the storm has cleared, leaving warm sunshine and a cool, light breeze.

Aside from the house being crushed by a hundred-year-old maple tree, and debris thrown all over the neighborhood, you’d never know the storm ever happened.

And with the sunshine, and a breath of fresh air, I’ve found my resolve.

“I need to go in and get some clothes.” I look up at Josh, standing next to me, his hands propped on his hips, and he stares down at me as if I’ve lost my mind.

“You’re not going in there.”

“No way,” Seth agrees, his hazel eyes glued to the house.

I’m surrounded by overprotective men.

“Hey, Charlie!” I call out to the tall, handsome member of the crew helping with cleanup, smiling at him as he approaches. “When did the tree come off the house?”

“Early this morning.” He takes off his hat and wipes his sweat-covered brow. “Now we have to clean up.”

“I need to go in and get some clothes and stuff.”

“I said—” Josh begins, but Charlie interrupts.

“Not a chance.” Charlie shakes his head. “It’s not sound in there, Cara. Plus, the insulation is all over your clothes and things.”

“So I’ll wash them.” I shrug.

“They have to be sent out to a special cleaner to make them safe for you. I’m sorry, but I can’t let you in there.”

I just stare at him, processing. “So, I won’t have clean clothes for days?”

“At least we don’t have to throw them out.” Charlie shrugs and walks back to the house. “I’ll call you when I know more.”

“I don’t have a phone!” I call after him in frustration.

Josh is watching me with a half grin on his face, his arms crossed over his chest. Seth giggles.

“What is so damn funny?” I demand.

“You are.” Josh grins and that dimple softens me, just a bit, but I keep the scowl on my face. “I guess we’ll go shopping next.”

“I hate shopping,” I grumble, making Seth laugh even harder.

“Hey, guys!” Ty calls, and jogs across the street to us. He’s in faded blue jeans and a Metallica T-shirt, showing off the tattoo sleeve on his right arm. It’s easy to forget when he’s got on his lawyer suit that he’s very much the bad boy underneath.

“Hey, Ty,” I say.

He wraps his arms around me and squeezes me tight. “How are you, bird?”

“I’m better. What a mess.”

“That it is.” He nods, shakes Josh’s hand, and ruffles Seth’s hair. “Have you called your folks?”

“Shit, no!” I glance down at Seth and grimace. “Sorry, Seth.”

“I don’t care.” He shrugs.

“I don’t have a phone,” I remind everyone. “It’s in the house. I have to call Jilly too.”