And I don’t want her anywhere near you. It’s the only damn thing I can think of to keep you safe and out of range of a fucking shotgun and the woman who feels more and more like a cornered animal every damn day.
“We’ll manage,” Josie said, but there was a hefty dose of grim in her tone. “I’m sort of glad she’s not here because we need to talk.”
Noah set the pint glass down and looked at her. He knew what was coming. He’d been waiting, hoping to hear these words. Hell, he had to fight to keep from blurting out, I know you’re scared, but I want this. Our baby—
“I love you,” she said, and he took a step back. Yeah, he’d seen it in her beautiful, green eyes twenty-four hours ago when he’d been buried inside her. But he’d expected her to whisper the words with hope and passion, not the same voice she’d use to explain the details of Dominic’s injuries.
He placed his hands flat on the bar. “Josie, I—”
“And,” she continued, staring up at him, so damn determined to have her say that he shut up. And yeah, there wasn’t much to say after her declaration. What the hell could he offer her in return? I want you? It wasn’t the same.
“And we’re having a baby,” she said, her voice trembling.
Thank you, Jesus. He’d been waiting to hear those words, hoping he’d have a reason to turn to the world—every damn person in this town, her father, her brother, everyone—and say, She’s mine. My family. My future.
“You’re sure?” he said, and damn, he sounded like a kid who couldn’t quite believe Santa Claus had traveled down his chimney. It was too much a miracle to be true.
She nodded. “I took a test this morning.”
He pressed his palms into the bar and pushed himself up, vaulting over the polished wood, scrambling to get to the other side, to reach her.
“Josie,” he murmured, pulling her into his arms. He held her tight, clutching the damn happiness that had been thrust at him despite the problems that had come rushing in his direction, one after another.
How was he going to keep her safe? Dustin was out there and armed.
“I’m so scared,” she whispered.
“Yeah, I know,” he said. “I am too.”
“I don’t want to lose this baby,” she added.
Forget Dustin. Those words, her feeling, her fears—this wasn’t a madman he could hunt down in his freaking woods. There wasn’t a damn thing he could do to keep her from losing this baby tomorrow or six months from now.
I can’t take control and make everything all right.
There was no way around it. His arms fell to his sides and he pulled free from her hold, stepping away. He’d failed her the minute he’d let the grief carry him away, pushing him to take her without a condom. He’d delivered her back to the hell she’d fought so damn hard to escape. The pain. The grief. She might have to face all that again.
And there is nothing I can do about it.
He’d never felt so powerless.
But he could keep her out of the mad marine’s range. He could steer her clear of Caroline—and, shit, himself.
“I want you to go home,” he said firmly. “Rest. Tell your dad. Please, Josie, you’re going to need his help this time.”
“Wait. What?” she demanded, sinking back onto the stool. She wrapped her arms around her middle.
“I need you to leave,” he said firmly.
“Noah, don’t be stupid,” she shot back. “I’m four weeks pregnant. I can serve drinks.”
Noah shook his head. “Until I know that Dustin’s gone, that he’s not watching the bar, tracking me, or Caroline, that he won’t start shooting again . . .” He couldn’t bring himself to say “shooting at you,” because he was never going to let that happen. “Until then, I need you to stay away from here. From me. And take care of yourself.”
“But he’s never shown up here,” she protested. “This guy you think is after Caroline.”
“What do you want me to say, Josie?” He placed his hands on his hips. “I can’t take the risk that something will happen to you here. I’m not going to let you down. I’ll be there for you and the baby. I’ll do everything I can and that includes keeping you away from a madman with a gun. What else do you want?”
I WANT YOU to say that you love me too.
“I don’t need a hero right now, Noah.”
“Good. I’m not cut out for the role. Not anymore. I just need you safe—”
“And I need you.” But even as she said the words, she knew it was hopeless. He was too afraid that he’d fail her. And too focused on the things that remained within his control. “I can’t do this on my own.”