Gage (THE GOLDEN TEAM #3)

19. Lori

19

Lori

I never thought I’d fall in love with the desert, but here I was, utterly enchanted. The air was alive with an earthy sweetness I couldn’t quite name, as if every grain of sand carried a story of its own. The crisp evening breeze wrapped itself around me, filling the stillness with a strange sense of peace.

Gage had insisted on cooking dinner—“I owe you a meal,” he’d said—and he hadn’t disappointed. The steak was perfectly seared, paired with roasted vegetables and a warm slice of crusty bread. We ate on the porch of this small desert hideaway, the glow of the lantern casting soft shadows across the rugged landscape.

Afterward, we settled into a pair of weathered chairs, gazing up at a sky so dense with stars it seemed to pulse with light. I could feel the tension I’d been carrying for weeks melting away, replaced by the quiet hum of desert serenity.

“How do you like the desert?” Gage asked, his voice low and steady as he leaned back, the faint glow of the lantern catching the edge of his profile.

I smiled, taking a deep breath. “I’m surprised by how much I love it. The smells, the quiet, the stars—everything feels so alive out here. It’s not what I expected at all.”

He nodded, his gaze fixed upward. “I think so, too. There’s something about the stillness. It gives you room to breathe.”

I glanced at him, my heart squeezing a little. In this moment, Gage felt like the calm in the middle of a storm I wasn’t sure would ever pass.

“I talked to Oliver earlier,” he said, turning toward me. “He’s in Texas, keeping an eye on your sister and the kids. River’s watching over your dad at my place, so you don’t have to worry about them.”

A wave of relief washed over me, leaving a lump in my throat. “I’m so glad. It’s one less thing to think about. I just hope they catch those guys soon so we can go back to normal life. I still can’t believe I’m mixed up in the middle of something so insane. Serial killers, of all things.” I shook my head, trying to make sense of it. “Why would they even come after me? It’s crazy.”

“They’ll get them,” Gage said with quiet conviction. “Once the FBI starts something, they don’t let go. But until then…” He gave me a small, almost boyish smile. “We can kick back and enjoy our time here.”

I laughed softly, the sound carried away by the breeze. “If you call lying low in the middle of the desert ‘enjoying our time,’ sure.”

Gage grinned, his hand brushing against mine on the armrest. “Sometimes, it’s about perspective. Life throws you curveballs. You can either duck, or you can swing. Right now, we’ve got a moment to breathe, to think—and that’s worth something.”

His words lingered in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning. I let my gaze drift back to the stars, the weight of everything that had happened settling for just a moment. Gage’s presence beside me was a quiet reminder that, no matter how crazy things got, I wasn’t in this alone.

We cleaned up the kitchen together. When I looked around, I was surprised there was no mess. Gage was the cleanest cook I had ever seen. “How do you keep the kitchen clean while you’re cooking?” I asked, looking around.

I trained myself to keep everything clean after cleaning up my messes when I first started cooking. I hated eating and then going into the kitchen to clean.”

You are so smart, but unfortunately, I’m a messy cook. I’ll try to keep it clean while we are here,” I said, smiling.

“How about I cook for you while we are here?”

“I can’t believe Gage Sparrow is my boyfriend and cooks my meals for me. I’m a very lucky woman.”

He pulled me into his arms. “I’m the lucky one. You are so beautiful and kind. I have to pinch myself to see if I’m dreaming. I love you and am so happy you love me, too.”

“I’m ready for bed. What about you?” I said, kissing his jawline. For an answer, he picked me up and carried me to the bedroom.