“I’ve heard so much about her,” Maren said softly. “I hope she’s doing okay now.”
Rio’s gaze followed his adopted daughter all the way over, and Maren could see the fierce protective light in his eyes as well as the warmth and love for both his daughter and his wife.
Soon this would all be hers too. She’d watched Sam and Sophie with Charlotte. Now Ethan and Rachel with the babies. And finally Rio and Grace with Elizabeth. It was beautiful to see the love that shone like a beacon in their every look and touch. She craved the same.
Her hand went to her belly and then Steele’s hand crept over hers, giving it a little squeeze as if to tell her he understood the direction of her thoughts.
“She’s doing wonderfully,” Grace said, a note of pride in her voice. “She’s had some bad days, don’t get me wrong. But Rio and I love her and she loves us. Honey, this is Dr. Scofield, a very good friend of ours.”
Elizabeth smiled shyly at Maren and extended her hand. Maren took it, smiling back at the girl.
“I’m very happy to meet you, Elizabeth.”
“Thank you. I’m pleased to meet you too.”
“Congratulations, man,” Rio said in a sincere voice. “Maren is a terrific woman. You’re lucky to have her.”
Maren’s face immediately flamed at the assumption Rio had made. He acted as though Maren and Steele were a slam-dunk. A thing. An item. Practically married.
She sneaked a peek up at Steele to gauge his reaction, but all he did was tighten his grasp around her waist, anchoring her more firmly underneath his shoulder, and then he said, “I am very lucky. I was afraid I’d never get her back. You can be certain I’m not letting her out of my sight again.”
She had no doubt he did it for her. He didn’t at all look comfortable with saying what he’d said. But he also sounded sincere. Uncomfortable but sincere. Her heart melted a little more over the idea that he gave her what he thought she needed when he’d rather cut out his tongue than talk about anything remotely personal in front of others.
Sophie leaned in, putting her hand on Maren’s arm. “We women are going to steal Maren for a bit, Steele. I’ll have her back before we eat.”
Steele reluctantly lowered his arm, freeing her from his hold. He let his hand slide down her arm until it got to her hand. He caught it and squeezed a moment before letting her completely loose.
She sent him a smile she hoped contained all the love that she’d witnessed in his gaze earlier. And judging by the way he looked at her now, she must have been successful.
CHAPTER 31
“WHAT’S between you and Maren?” Sam asked bluntly.
Steele turned toward Sam’s voice, his brows furrowed at the forcefulness of Sam’s question. Then he gazed around to see if others were close enough to hear. He and Sam were off the deck, down the steps and on the lesser patio that was between the dock and the main deck, where the others were still eating and talking.
“I think it’s obvious what’s between us,” Steele said in a dry voice.
Sam pursed his lips and glanced up to where Maren was surrounded by the Kelly women, laughing and having a good time.
“Maren is a very good friend of mine. I cherish her friendship a lot. She’s one of the dearest friends I have. It goes way beyond a professional relationship. She’s like a sister to me without all the pesky qualities of a real sister.”
The corner of Steele’s mouth quirked up. “You warning me off your ‘sister’?”
Sam shook his head. “No, but I don’t want her hurt either. She’s a good woman, Steele. The best. She’s helped a lot of people.”
“What exactly is it you think I’m going to do to her?” Steele asked in exasperation.
He didn’t want to be having this conversation. Period. Maren was his business. His relationship with Maren was his business. Their child was definitely his business. And none of those were anyone else’s concern but his. He didn’t give a damn what Sam considered her. She was his. Whatever Sam had felt like doing for her in the past, he could just drop it now, because Steele was taking over.
“Look, you’re a hard-ass. Everyone knows that. You know what the others call you. While I don’t agree that you’re some emotionless machine, you’re a nightmare to most women because you’re so tight-lipped all the time and women like men to talk to them.”
Steele nearly laughed at the visible shudder that rolled over Sam’s shoulders.
“Maren is . . . special. I just hope you realize what you’ve got, Steele. And if you haven’t figured it out yet, make sure you do before it’s too late. Take it from someone who damn near waited too long.”
Steele glanced up the walkway to see Garrett and Donovan approaching. He hadn’t planned to get into this with them today, but the opportunity had presented itself and it would save him a trip back over.
As soon as Garrett and Donovan got close enough, Steele took a step back so they could take part in the conversation.
“I’m off the books for a while,” Steele said.
Sam didn’t react. He didn’t seem surprised. “Okay. How long are we talking about here?”
There was caution in his tone, and maybe he worried that Steele would go completely off his rails and walk away now that he had Maren and a child on the way.
“I can’t answer that,” Steele said honestly. “My first priority has to be Maren’s and my child’s safety.”
Garrett nodded. “I get that.”
Donovan nodded too.
“Not fair to my team to take the downtime with me,” Steele said. “They need the action. The longer we’re down, the rustier and more complacent we get. Plus they don’t get paid when we’re not in action.”
Sam lifted an eyebrow in surprise. “You telling us to take your team? That’s not something I ever expected from you.”
Steele ran a hand through his hair. “Look. For a long time my team has been my life. KGI has been my life. They’ve gotten a hundred and ten percent of my loyalty. Maren gets that from me now. She deserves it. Our child deserves it. Not saying I won’t be back. But we have a lot to work out. And that’s why I want to talk to you all. First, I need to be out of action for a while. I don’t trust Caldwell not to make a grab for her.”
“I hear you,” Garrett muttered.
“Second thing is, we have a hell of a lot to figure out. Maren had a practice in Costa Rica. No way in hell I want her going back there or anywhere for a long damn time. But that’s not fair to her. I can’t make that decision for her, no matter how much I’d like to.”
“Smart man,” Sam said, amusement sparking in his eyes.
“I’d like to get her something here so she can stay with me and I can keep an eye on her and our child. KGI could use a doctor, no doubt. But she could also open a practice in this area, at least until our child is old enough for it to be a consideration to go back into the field if that’s what will make Maren happy.”
Donovan cupped his chin and rubbed thoughtfully. “It’s not a bad idea. Doc Campbell has been making noises about retiring. I think he would have done it already if he had a replacement lined up. Maren is a hands-on doctor and Doc Campbell still makes house calls, which is unheard of in this day and age. He’d want someone like him because it worries him what his patients will do when he retires. He’d like Maren a lot and she’d be perfect to replace him.”
Excitement simmered in Steele’s mind. He didn’t want to seem too eager, but he’d do damn near anything to make Maren happy here. With him. Not thousands of miles away.
He never wanted to hold her back, but he was scared shitless over the idea of her being someplace like where she’d been, alone and defenseless. Their child just as vulnerable. Not that she’d be alone. Because if she did insist on going off, he’d damn well pack up and go with her. But it wasn’t his first choice. Not yet.