Chances Are(41)

With a sigh of regret, he backed away and then noticed the worried wrinkle above the bridge of her nose. This decision hadn’t been easy for either of them.

“A few will be surprised. The ones who know us best probably won’t be. No one’s going to be angry but yeah, a few of them will be upset.”

“It’s going to be hard to say goodbye.”

“We’ll still see them.”

“I know, but they’ve been my family since I moved here.”

Noah drew in a settling breath. He was doing his best not to think about that part of his decision. Last Chance Rescue had started in Paris with nothing more than a dream, determination, sweat, and the occasional bloodletting. Saying goodbye would be like losing a limb.

Still, he knew this was for the best. Taking his wife into his arms, he held her tight. How he’d been so blessed was still a mystery to him. And he was going to do whatever it took to keep his Mara happy.

“Micah and Evie need to be close to their grandparents. And they’re missing out on having dozens of cousins, not to mention aunts and uncles doting on them.”

Five years ago, he would’ve laughed his ass off if anyone had told him he’d actually move thousands of miles and interrupt his entire operation to be close to a large family. But for Mara and his children? He would move the earth itself if he could. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for them.

Pulling away from him with a sniff, she asked, “Have I mentioned lately that you’re the most wonderful man in the world?”

He smiled down at the woman who was his heart…his life. “Not in the last couple of hours.”

The doorbell chimed, telling them their first guests had arrived.

Samara stood on her toes and whispered in his ear, “Be prepared to hear it several times tonight.”

His heart clenching with emotion, the smile disappeared from his face.

“What’s wrong?” Samara asked.

“Just thinking how much I love you.”

Giving him the hot, wicked look that always sent his body pulsing with need, she winked. “That’s something you can tell me several times tonight, too.”

“Deal.” He kissed her hand, then engulfed it in his larger one and pulled her with him to the door. No matter where they lived, as long as he had Mara and his children, he would be a happy man.

And LCR would continue to thrive. He already had plans in place. If things worked out the way he wanted, the organization that had started with two clueless men and a dream would expand beyond their wildest expectations.



The door opened and Angela beamed at Noah and Samara. Lately, her mouth couldn’t seem to stop smiling. This was the first social event she and Jake had attended as a couple. Silly, but she was nervous. Even though she and Jake had been together for several months, they had yet to make any kind of announcement about their relationship.

Noah had partnered them on several missions and though they still had a few kinks to work out, things had gone even better than she could have hoped. Having Jake as her partner at work and at home was her dream come true.

And now they were telling the world that their partnership extended beyond work. An LCR social event was a rarity of its own. Appearing together as a couple was definitely a public statement of intent.

As Samara hugged her and then took her purse, Angela asked, “Are we too early?”

“Of course not. You’re right on time.”

Angela took note of her friend’s glistening eyes. Something was going on. The couple of times she’d seen Noah this week, he had been quiet and pensive. A familiar fear tugged at her heart. She hated to be a pessimist but now that things were so wonderful for her and Jake, she couldn’t help but fear that something would happen to one of her loved ones to spoil her happiness.

They went into the large, beautifully decorated living room. Samara’s taste ran from bold to peaceful, splashes of bright colors blended beautifully with serene pastels. Looking around for the two dark-haired little imps she adored, Angela said, “Where are Micah and Evie?”

“They’re staying the night with Candace,” Samara said.

Candace was the children’s part-time nanny. “I didn’t know they stayed overnight yet.”

“They don’t. This is their first time.” She grinned and added, “Micah was ecstatic, looking at it as a big adventure. Evie wasn’t happy at all. I don’t know who cried the most when they left, me or Evie.”

“Then why—”

“We just thought it would be best if they were out of the house tonight.”

Before she could ask why, the doorbell rang. While Noah went to answer the door, Samara excused herself to check something in the kitchen. Angela turned to Jake. “Something’s going on.”

“Yeah, I agree. I’m sure they’ll tell us when they’re ready.” He leaned down and kissed her forehead. “Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?”

She laughed and could feel a blush heat her face. “Actually you did. Twice. That’s why I thought we would be late.”

The look on his face could only be called smug. Angela had been dressed and ready to go but when Jake had seen the black backless dress she was wearing, he had insisted she take it off so he could help her back on with it. Things had gotten beautifully out of hand and she had enjoyed every moment.

“You keep looking at me like that and I’ll have to take that dress off of you again.”

The sexy growl in her ear sent shivers of delight zipping up her spine. “I’ll look forward to that.” She looked him up and down. “Did I happen to mention how good you look?”

“Yeah.” He leaned closer and murmured, “I think I was inside you at the time.”

She laughed and lightly punched his shoulder. “Behave. And for the record, I didn’t say you looked good at that particular time.”

Blue eyes twinkled with devilment. “No? But you screamed, “So good!” at the top of your lungs. I thought that’s what you meant.”

Smiling and blushing once more, Angela shook her head. When it came to sexual repartee, Jake was a master.

“Looks like it’s going to be a full house tonight.”

She turned to see Jordan and Eden coming into the room, followed by Honor and Seth. Behind the Cavanaughs were Ethan and Shea Bishop, McKenna and Lucas Kane, and Jamie and Dylan Savage. She gasped in surprise when she saw Gabe and Skylar Maddox, and then behind them were Cole and Keeley Mathison. What on earth was going on here?

As she went about hugging everyone, Angela put aside her worry and set out to enjoy herself. Something was on the horizon, that was for sure. But with Jake at her side—her lover, her partner, her friend—whatever winds of change came her way, she knew everything would be just fine.