I had never thought of my body as special. It was a normal size six, sometimes an eight. Boobs that were not too small but also not big, a lean build, not very many curves. My eyes were a nice green, but that green eliminated a lot of colors from my wardrobe, including the purple I wanted to wear. My hair was thick and light honey blond. It had some delicate waves and fell right below my shoulders.

My parents hadn’t thought I was special enough to pay attention to, and as a child, I’d spent most of my life with my nose in a book.

I stared at my body, and I tried to see myself through Jonah’s eyes.

Jonah Steel, the most magnificent man I had ever laid eyes on, loved me.

This reflection in the mirror was beautiful to him, beautiful to a man with more strength, more intelligence, and more love to give than anyone I’d ever known. This man was devoted to his brother, to his whole family. And now he appeared to be devoted to me.

I smiled at my reflection. My body wasn’t perfect by a long shot, but it was mine. And that’s why Jonah loved it. Because he loved me.

I had never thought myself worthy of such love since my parents hadn’t given it to me. But Jonah thought I was worthy. Jonah knew what I was going through. I hadn’t told him the whole story, but he knew enough.

From now on, Melanie, you will stop thinking of yourself as average. You are smart, determined, hard-working, and you are a damned good therapist. Your body and your mind are beautiful.

I smiled when I heard the thud of cowboy boots outside in the hallway. I left Jonah’s robe lying on the floor and turned on the shower.

Talon met us at the door of his house, the little mutt panting at his feet. I reached down to pet Roger.

“Felicia isn’t here yet. I figured we’d talk to her in the kitchen.” Talon turned to me. “Brooke is out on the deck. There’s a carafe of coffee out there, and some fruit and croissants.”

“Okay,” I said. “I’m really not sure what I’m supposed to talk to her about.”

“Look, Doc, no one thinks you have anything in common with an aging supermodel. But she’s just a lonely woman, and she would like someone to talk to. Jade and Marj left early this morning for their hike. The two of them really do need a break from her.”

Jonah looked at me. “If this is uncomfortable for you, you don’t have to do it. You can stay in here with us.”

I shook my head. “No, I don’t think that would be appropriate since I’ve never met Felicia. I’ll make do. I’m sure Brooke and I will be fine.”

“Well,” Talon said, “she’s nice enough. She and Jade have a rather fragile relationship at the moment, but they’re working on it.”

“You’re not asking me to give her free therapy, are you?” I smiled.

Talon laughed. “No, God. I wouldn’t wish that on you, Doc.”

I walked slowly toward the door that led from the kitchen out onto the deck. Jonah hadn’t told Talon what I’d been through, at my request. He had enough on his mind without having to worry about me.

I walked toward the table where Brooke was sitting and helped myself to a plate. I placed a croissant on it, a pat of butter, and then a few slices of pineapple, kiwi, and some strawberries. “I guess Palisade peach season is over,” I said.

Brooke looked up at me. “Oh, hello. You’re Talon’s therapist, aren’t you?”

She had just met me the previous evening, but I wasn’t about to bring that up. “I am. And you’re Jade’s mother.”

“Guilty,” she said. “What are you doing over here this morning?”

“Jonah had some business with Talon, so I tagged along.”

“You’re just fresh as a daisy,” Brooke said, “with gorgeous bone structure. I’d love to do a makeover for you. You’d be stunning.”

I groaned inwardly. “How nice of you to offer. I’ll give it some thought.”

Her smile seemed forced. “My goodness, that’s a lovely bauble around your neck.”

I nervously fingered the diamond necklace and said a simple, “Thank you.”

“A gift?”

I nodded.

“You and Jonah seem…close.”

“I’d say we’re close. We’re in love with each other.”

Was I allowed to say that? Jonah had only just professed his love for me last night. Maybe he wasn’t ready for Talon and everyone else to know. I bit my lip. I hoped I hadn’t just committed a major faux pas.

I set my plate down, poured myself a cup of coffee, and sat down next to Brooke. I took in the scenery. The yard was huge and beautiful. Roger had followed me out and was frolicking around, chasing a squirrel. The pool here was bigger than the pool at Jonah’s, at least as far as I could see. It was several hundred feet away from the house. This was how Jonah and his brothers had grown up, in luxury.

But luxury didn’t matter, not after Talon was taken. So much was more important than luxury.

From what Talon had told me, his parents had been stern but loving before his abduction. Afterward, his mother couldn’t cope and killed herself within two years. And his father? I really didn’t know much about him. I still didn’t understand why he had buried the whole situation under the rug.

Talon was hell-bent on figuring it out, and for the first time, I felt like I really understood his passion for uncovering the truth. I had that same passion now. I needed to know the truth about what had happened to Gina. Something about the situation didn’t add up.

Brooke had been talking, and I hadn’t heard a word she said. “I’m so sorry. I zoned out for a moment. What were you saying?”

“I asked if you and Jonah are serious.”

Serious? Hadn’t I just said we were in love? That meant serious to me, although perhaps not to her. “I’d like to think we are.”

“I see.” She took a bite of a croissant. “He’s very good-looking, isn’t he?”

“Yes, he is.”

“He would’ve made a gorgeous male model in his day,” Brooke said. “When I was modeling, all the top models couldn’t have held a candle to him.”

I couldn’t argue with that. Jonah was indeed gorgeous. I wasn’t exactly sure what to say to her, though. It didn’t matter because she kept talking.

“Jade and Talon said Jonah had a huge crush on me. He had my posters plastered all over his bedroom wall.”