I bark out a laugh, head flung back. “That’s your idea of a romance storyline? You killed off the love interest in the last book.”
“You know that because you read the book or because Zara told you?” From the way he says it, I can tell Zara gave him heck for killing off the woman.
I inwardly roll my eyes. “You know I read all your books. Wouldn’t miss ’em. I’d say I’m your biggest fan, but that would be Zara.” She always buys his latest releases in hardback and gets him to sign them.
We sit quietly for a few minutes. All I can think about is what Jess could be facing if more people in town discover her secret. The campfire continues to crackle and pop in the background. The men’s laughter isn’t so loud now, but the low murmur of their conversations remains a constant.
“You ready to join everyone, or do you need more time?” Garrett asks. “Everyone’s gotta be wondering about your digestive system. You’ve been gone a long time.”
“Let them believe anything they want. I just need a few more minutes.”
“I could send Lucas to give you advice on your love life if you want. He knows what he’s doing.” The smirk Garrett flashes me is enough to coax a chuckle from me.
“Ha! I don’t know about that. He almost messed things up with Simone.”
“True. But compared to you, me, and Kellan, he’s the smart one with figuring out this love stuff.” Garrett screws up his nose as if he’s caught wind of bear shit on his boots.
“What about you? You’ve been in love before. You don’t have any advice for me?”
“My advice is don’t bother, but you’re already too gone for that.” He laughs, a low rumble deep in his chest, but there’s also something off about it.
“Are you ever planning to tell me what happened between you and Kenda?” Garrett and Kenda—Garrett’s girlfriend from college and one of Zara’s close friends back then—had practically been engaged, which is why I could never figure out what went wrong between them.
“There’s nothing to say. Her career goals didn’t involve living in Maple Ridge. She was planning to make a big difference with her journalism degree. And she couldn’t do that in Maple Ridge.”
“You could’ve gone with her.”
“I could have. But I was headed for the Marines, and she wanted to be free to disappear for long periods while doing investigative journalism. She didn’t want to be stuck in Maple Ridge, and she didn’t want to worry about someone impatiently waiting for her to return home.” He shrugs like it’s no big deal.
Except I know it was a big deal at the time.
I can’t see Jess leaving Maple Ridge since it’s her home now, the place where she’s rebuilding her life. But the risk is still there that she could bail if the thing she fears most comes true—if people target her because of her past.
Does that mean my heart’s still at risk of losing the woman who’s important to me?
10
JESSICA
August, Present Day
Maple Ridge
The rumbleof Troy’s garage door opening can be heard from where I’m sitting in the living room, transcribing Iris’s journal. He’s early. He and his brothers were supposed to drive the retired SEALs to the airport in Eugene after their weekend excursion.
I close the journal and return it to my book bag on the floor. I was going to start making dinner soon, anyway.
I walk over to the kitchen and pick up a carrot from the counter as Troy strolls into the room, his hair damp and smelling of the pine shampoo they have at the Warriors cabins. It’s one of my favorite smells. It reminds me of him.
“Hey,” I say, smiling at Troy. “I wasn’t expecting you for another two hours.”
His arms go around my waist, and he pulls me to him. “My brothers took the men to the airport.” He takes the carrot from my hand and puts it on the counter behind me. “You and I are going on a date.”
“A date?”
“Yes. A date. It’s when a man takes a woman he’s interested in out to dinner. We’ve officially been a couple for over a month now, but we haven’t been on a single date. That changes tonight. I’m taking you to dinner.”
My smile slips a little, and I focus on the sexy-as-hell stubble on his face. “You don’t need to take me to dinner. I’m perfectly happy having dinner with you here.” Where I’m safe from questioning eyes.
