Page 61 of Protective Heroes

“That’s a shame,” he said. “We found a great guide. A local Navy boy is leading us on a fishing trip today. He had us doing all sorts of stuff this week—fishing, hunting, hiking. Believe me, you don’t want to miss out on the scenery and wildlife around here.”

My back stiffened and there was an odd stuttering of my heart.

Local Navy boy.

I released a heavy sigh.

Trevor Ford. Who else would it be?

Instead of stating just how much I really rather be back in the city, I said, “Sounds like you guys are having a great trip. But to be honest, I’m not that big on outdoor activities anymore. Unless you count sitting on a lounge chair on a tropical beach, sipping a margarita is an outdoor activity.”

The man laughed and shook his head. “You don’t know what you’re missing.”

Wrong again.

I raise my coffee mug. “I used to live here. I’ve probably seen everything you’re talking about already.” And with the same man.

Mrs. Morgan pats my arm. “Which reminds me, you’ll have to scout some outdoor locations for the wedding, won’t you? Do you need any help with that? Or do you remember a few places? Maybe the meadow off of Bear Creek Lane? And all those wildflowers.” Mrs. Morgan asked.

“I definitely need help. I was hoping to pick your brain a little, too. I’d like to plan a really elegant wedding. You know, black tie, fine china, a tent with crystal chandeliers. A mix of big city with small-town mountain.”

As I spoke, my enthusiasm grew. I’d been so nervous about getting here and looking forward to getting out of here as fast as possible. I hadn’t spent much time thinking about the actual wedding.

But I was good at my job and as I told Mrs. Morgan about my plans, a picture formed crystal clear in my mind. I could see the wedding I wanted to put together clear as day.

“I want everything to be polished and sophisticated, like something you might find in a ballroom in New York City. But I want to do it all against a really rugged backdrop. And we can use beautiful table settings, but maybe serve simpler local foods. The couple getting married loves the outdoors. I think having truly elegant glittery details in the middle of the lush forest would be incredible. Like something from a fairytale.”

As I turned my attention from the details playing through my mind, I found Mrs. Morgan staring at me wide-eyed.

I offered her a grin. “Sorry, I have a tendency to get carried away when I talk about my plans. I just want my clients to have something magical on their special day. I guess I am kind of remembering what it was like living here. I want them to experience the magic of this place and to give them something unique, but that totally fits them.”

“Well, I can’t say we’ve had anything quite like that around here.” She patted my hand again. “But it sounds just beautiful.”

“Now I just need to figure out some locations.” I tried not to think about the fact I’d have to tromp through the forest. The picture I had of this wedding was too gorgeous to let a little thing like getting dirty and revisiting places I shared with him get in the way.

I picked up my coffee cup and took a big gulp to cover the fact that I was having a little trouble breathing.

“Oh, I had a thought. The men are leaving tomorrow.” Mrs. Morgan gestured to the men seated around the room. “Today’s their last day. We’re sort of between seasons here with spring still nipping the air and summer having a hard time pushing out the cold. I don’t have anyone but you staying here until the weekend. I wonder if Trevor has any more bookings this week. He’d be the perfect person to help you find an outdoor location.”

“Trevor.” I repeated dumbly.

“Someone looking for me?”

The sexy, deep voice that came from behind me was velvet over gravel. At the sound of it, the hair at my nape rose, and every nerve ending in my body crackled with energy. I went stock still, like prey caught in the sights of a predator. My breath came in a harsh gasp, and I could feel some tiny, almost intangible something spark to life deep down inside me.

My brain screamed at me to get up and run. My heart carried a different message with every beat. Turn around. Turn around. Turn around.

After breaking into a million pieces, I prided myself on being the kind of girl who ignored her heart now and always, always took the advice of her head. I knew too well the consequences of letting your heart have its way.

Too many people liked to trample all over it.

But some instinct I never knew I possessed took control. My head had no chance. My heart was firmly in the driver’s seat, and all I could do was grasp the edge of the table in a white-knuckled grip as my heart forced me to turn my head and look over my shoulder.

Three

Trevor

Mother. Fucker. I’d taken bullets that didn’t hit me as hard as the glance from the set of big, blue eyes currently turned my way.

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