Page 29 of Mountain Hero

“Do I smell coffee?” Like a magnet drawn to its complement, she makes a beeline across the kitchen and toward the Keurig. She looks at my mug of coffee longingly and a hint of sadness darkens her eyes.

“Do you want some?” I spin the carousel with an assortment of coffee pods in it. “I’ve got Columbian, French Roast, Sumatran, espresso roast…”

Winter stares at the pods for a second. “I haven’t had coffee in ages,” she admits quietly. “I wasn’t allowed.”

Oh. It’s a sledgehammer slamming into me, stealing my breath.

Several thoughts hit me at once.

I want to kill Thomas. Not just hurt him. Kill him for what he did to her.

I want to rush out and buy cartons of coffee for Winter. Enough to last her for years.

And I want to hug her. Take away the sad look in her eyes and make them sparkle again.

But I don’t do any of those things. Instead, I take Winter’s hand and gently squeeze it, then say, “You can have as much coffee as you want. And I’ll buy more today. Any kind you want.” As her lips lift, I add apologetically, “I only have powdered creamer, since I don’t use any myself. But I’ll get some.”

The tiny smile grows into a bigger one. “This is fine, Enzo.” She plucks out a Columbian brew and pops it into the machine. “I like my coffee plain, too.”

Once her coffee is made, I have Winter sit at the island while I continue preparing breakfast. As she sips her coffee, she lets out these little sighs and moans of pleasure that make me really glad I’m on the opposite side where she can’t see below my waist.

“I was thinking,” she says. “Kind of worrying, really. About my bills. Everything was set up on autopay, and I had a decent buffer in my account, but… it’s got to be running low. I need to figure out some kind of work.”

Shifting my thoughts about her eyes and body and those innocently seductive moans, I shift into problem-solver mode. As I pour the eggs into the skillet and set the heat on low, I say, “You do graphic design, right?”

“Yes.” A pleased look moves across her face. “You remembered?”

“I remember everything you told me.”

She takes another sip, and this time I think I can see Winter hiding a smile behind her mug. “Well. I did do graphic design. I have—had—my own boutique company. I ran it all online, except for a few clients that really liked to meet face-to-face. But then… you know. I basically disappeared. My clients must have gone to other companies by now.”

Crap. I want to tell her no, but she’s probably right. Still… there has to be a way to help. “Do you think some of the clients, if you explained…”

“Some of them. The older ones. They might, if they haven’t committed to another company by now. But even so, it’ll take time. And I don’t even know if my computer…” She grimaces. “I haven’t been back to my house. Not since… but I wouldn’t be surprised if Thomas stole my computer. Sold it.”

Shit.

Gritting my teeth, I take a moment to swallow down my anger before replying, “I could help. I’ve got a computer you could use.”

“That’s really nice of you,” Winter starts, “but I use a Mac, and it has some expensive programs, and…”

Damn. I didn’t think about that. My five-year-old HP laptop that I use for email and bills isn’t going to be capable of the kind of things Winter needs it to do. But. Alec, on the other hand…

“Actually, I think I could figure something out. My friend Alec—he used to serve at Fort Campbell with me, but on a different Green Beret team—he lives one town over. And he owns a security company; installs surveillance cameras, alarms, stuff like that. He’s a whiz with computers, and I know he has extras for company use. If I ask, I’m sure he’d lend you one.”

Or if he doesn’t have the right kind of computer, I’ll buy it and Winter doesn’t need to know.

“Oh, that seems like a lot to ask, Enzo. He doesn’t even know me.”

“Winter.” I move the pan off the heat so the eggs don’t burn. “These are guys I served with. They’re more than just friends. I would trust them with my life. Or what we used to say in the Army; I trust them to have my six. I’d do anything for one of them, and they’d do the same for me. If Alec can help, he will. There’s no question about it.”

Her brows wing into a little V as she thinks. “If you’re sure he wouldn’t mind…”

“I’m sure. And that reminds me. He’s going to stop by this morning to discuss adding some security here. So you can meet Alec, and I’ll text him to ask if he has a computer he can bring.”

“Enzo.” Winter eyes me suspiciously. “Why are you adding security to your house?”

I busy myself plating the food, only answering after I put a plate loaded with cheesy eggs, buttery toast, and only slightly dry-looking sausage on it. “A few reasons. First, it’s just a smart idea. Second, I’ve been meaning to do it since I moved here. And last, I really think it would be a good idea if you stayed here until things with Thomas settle down.”

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