43. Ellie
Chapter forty-three
Ellie
Hunter is acting exceptionally calm, but I’m onto him. He hasn’t let me or Audrey out of his sight since he got home an hour ago. Since our debrief with him—and Asher and Cleo’s subsequent exit—he hasn’t mentioned Dylan, safety, or anything related to danger or future plans.
I’d fully expected to hear about new safety protocols, declarations of protection, or at least a promise that this wouldn’t happen again. Instead, he suggested we bake the cookie dough his mom made and left for us, pop popcorn, and watch a movie.
The sneaky distracter thinks I can’t feel the tension roiling underneath his calm exterior.
I wager anyone within a two-mile radius can feel the disturbance.
But I’m gonna let him have this, because nothing sounds better to me than not talking about the Dylan encounter.
Snuggling up on the sofa with my baby and my fake—but feeling not-so-fake—husband and watching a movie?
That will probably always be a yes from me.
Audrey’s asleep in the carrier strapped to Hunter’s chest as he pulls the popcorn from the stove and pours it into the bowl. “Want to watch All Roads Lead to Montana? I know how you like Alexander Henry.” He drizzles clarified butter on top of the popcorn.
“He doesn’t compare to you,” I tease, feeling so much lighter than an hour ago. Hunter’s presence is a balm.
“He doesn’t compare to you either,” he says and winks at me. Winks. I don’t think that’s ever happened before.
I laugh, and boy does it feel good. “Cleo told me that Alexander Henry moved to North Carolina. He lives less than an hour east of here. I don’t know where. But isn’t that crazy?”
“Someone else to keep an eye out for,” he jokes, but regret instantly shows on his face.
Panic claws at my throat, and I suddenly want Hunter to hand over Audrey so I can hold her close. “Am I always going to be looking over my shoulder, worried Dylan could pop up out of nowhere?”
He comes around the kitchen island, smooths my hair behind my ears, then cups my face. “No. I’m taking care of it. I’m looking into him with a private security friend and we’re going to do everything in our power to keep you and Audrey safe.”
“You are? You’re looking into him?”
“Yes. But let’s not talk about that right now. We need to watch this cowboy movie.”
I snort a laugh. Not exactly what I’d call the historical romance. “You’ve not seen it, have you?”
“Nope.” He pours our popcorn into the big yellow bowl DeeDee always brought potato salad to church potlucks in. I can’t believe she didn’t take that with her.
“Well, you’re in for a treat.”
“Oh, Hunter. That is the worst pea-green color I’ve ever seen. I think that shirt will just have to go straight into the trash,” I say.
“Along with her pajamas.” Hunter peels off his shirt and I openly ogle him.
It’s well after midnight, and I couldn’t care less.
I’m standing by our bed—somehow, in the last few weeks, it’s become ours—holding a freshly changed Audrey against my chest, swaying side to side hoping she’ll go back to sleep without needing to nurse. I’m so ready to go back to bed.
She woke us up twenty minutes ago after making the biggest mess I’ve ever seen. Okay, maybe not the biggest, but for sure the grossest.
“Enjoying the show?” Hunter asks, a tired, but highly entertained, smirk on his face.
“Of course I am.”
He gives me a sleepy grin. “I’m gonna run this stuff to the outside trash. I’ll be back.”
Hunter leaves, and I look down at Audrey’s face.
She’s asleep. I’m honestly not sure if it’s a good thing, or if she’ll just wake up in an hour starving, but I’ll take sleep when I can.
Hunter had changed her sheets while I changed her, so I lay her down in her nice, clean bassinet as carefully as I can.
I freeze and stare at her as she squirms, then settles.
Victory.
I’m crawling back into bed when Hunter comes back, still shirtless.
I know he typically sleeps without a shirt, but since he’s been sleeping in here, he’s been wearing one.
I’m not going to point out that he forgot, though.
It’s late and I know he’s tired. I’d hate for him to have to go all the way to his room.
Ten feet is a long way to walk in the middle of the night.
I didn’t know where he would sleep now that mom’s gone, but I think the Dylan situation cemented his place here. And I definitely don’t mind.
“So, she’s gonna sleep ’til seven, right?” Hunter says as he slides into bed.
“Oh, for sure.” I laugh. Then I lean over and do something I’ve never done. At least not in this context. I grip his shoulder and kiss his cheek. “Goodnight, sweet husband.”
He’s lying on his side facing me, so I turn away and back up against him.
He clears his throat. “Cold?”
“Nope.”
I’d be embarrassed by showing so much of my hand, but I’m not. I love this man, and before long, I’m gonna make sure he knows it.
He wraps his arms around me, then lets out a deep exhale as he relaxes against me. And it’s the best feeling in the world.
I’m awake as soon as the sun starts filtering through the curtains. Hunter has turned over, but his arm is pressed against my back, like he shifted, but didn’t want to move farther from me. The thought makes me smile.
Audrey begins making little rooting noises that remind me of a pig.
I fed her three hours ago, but she’s ready for more.
I carefully get up and pick her up, then lay her in the middle of the bed.
I lay down beside her and unclasp my nursing tank.
She latches like a professional and eats like she’s just arrived from a trek through the desert.
I close my eyes, basking in the peaceful content of this early morning with my two favorite people. Before long, I hear a soft pop as Audrey falls into a deep sleep and comes off my breast.
I smile at her and close my eyes again. What could possibly be better than this?
Hunter shifts and I open my eyes. I think he’s settling back in to sleep a bit more, but he doesn’t.
He finds me watching him and smiles. “Morning, Ells.” Then he glances at Audrey. He stops breathing for a moment before his suddenly very awake eyes fly back to mine.
“Your breast. I saw it.”
The wild, panicked look in his eyes makes me laugh. “I honestly don’t care.” It’s kind of miraculous that he hasn’t seen it up until this point with all the nursing I’ve been doing around him.
He closes his eyes and groans, long and low. “I care.”
“It’s just a food source.” I say, securing my top.
Hunter opens his eyes, having heard my snaps. “Not to me it’s not.” His gaze bores into mine and this blanket is suddenly way too thick.
“Okay.” Needing to lighten the mood, I ask, “Can I still see yours?”
He rolls his eyes and chuckles. “Anytime you want.”