Page 3 of Rugged Guardian

I glare at him, but the truth is, he’s not wrong. Seeing her brought back a flood of memories I thought I’d buried. When she called out of the blue, I was so shocked that I could barely talk. I’m embarrassed I was so rude to her, but…what do you do when the former love of your life suddenly calls you up and says she’s coming back? Act like you haven’t walked around with your heart in tatters for the last twenty years?

“It’s complicated,” I say, hoping to leave it at that.

Dane, one of the newest guys on the team, looks curious. “So, what’s the story? Old flame?”

I let out a sigh. “Yeah, something like that. But it wasn’t just about us. There was a feud between our families. Generations of bad blood.”

The room is quiet again, everyone sensing the weight of my words. I know they want more of the story, but like my relationship with Angelica—it’s all in the past and I’m not in the mood to dwell any more than I already am. I need to steer this conversation back to work before it gets too personal. “Anyway, back to business. We’ve got a lot to cover.”

I outline the progress of our operations and what needs to be done in the coming weeks. As I talk, I can’t help but glance at Daryl, who’s been quietly watching me. He knows more about my past with Angelica than anyone else here. I can see the concern in his eyes.

“Harley and I picked up supplies for the incoming guests at Creek Ravine. Dane, you can let Cece know we followed her shopping list to a T,” I continue, keeping my voice steady. “Reggie, I need you to make sure the drones are all ready to go and that all the security cameras are up and running properly.”

“You got it, Waylon,” Reggie says, running his hand through his hair. “Drones are ready, but there are a couple cameras I need to hike out to and check. Not sure if some animals or a recent storm are responsible for them being off right now, but I’ll find out and report back.”

“Good.” I look down at my handwritten list of items, satisfied I covered everything on my list. “Any of you got anything else?”

“Waylon, I do,” Moses says. “One of the rental cabins has a loose porch railing. Needs fixing before some drunk renter falls and cracks their head open.”

The guys nod, and we discuss the logistics.

I lean back in my chair, rubbing my beard again. “Daryl, you can help me with the railing first thing tomorrow. We can’t afford any accidents.”

Daryl nods. “Got it, boss.”

As the meeting wraps up, I glance around the room at my team. I’m proud of my men. Some of them are newer than others, but they’ve all earned their place up on my mountain and on my team. I’m lucky to have them working for me and protecting this mountain, and especially protecting Creek Ravine. Moses and Dane are the newest and still settling in some, but they’re getting there. Moses’s woman has all the wives, girlfriends, and half the men doing yoga, which is a fucking mystery to me.

Reggie hangs back as the other men head out. “You okay, man?” he asks, his voice low.

I nod, though I’m not sure I believe it myself. “Just a lot on my mind.”

Reggie claps a hand on my shoulder. “If you need to talk, we’re here. You know that, right?”

“Yeah, I know. Thanks, Reggie.”

He gives me a small smile before heading out with the others. I sit back down, my thoughts once again consumed by Angelica. The love we shared was intense, unlike anything I’ve felt since. But the feud between our families...it’s a wound that I’m not sure can ever heal.

Now that my parents are gone, a part of me wonders if reconciliation is possible. Angelica and I loved each other so completely. Could we make it, the two of us, without our parents and grandparents at each other’s throats? Is it possible to move on from our families' hatred for each other?

I head outside and lean against the wall of King Tap, looking out at the darkening sky. I think about what comes next, what I want to come next. One thing is clear: I can’t keep running from this. Angelica and I have unfinished business, and if ever there was a chance and time to clear the air, this is it. Still, having that conversation makes me uneasy since I don’t know why she’s back after all this time.

I head back inside, the warmth of King Tap wrapping around me with a comforting familiarity. I walk to the bar, where Marian is wiping down the counter.

“Evening, Waylon,” she greets me with a smile. “Rough day?”

“You could say that,” I reply, sitting on one of the stools. “Saw someone I wasn’t expecting.”

Marian raises an eyebrow. “Angelica?”

I nod, not surprised that she guessed. Marian knows more about the goings-on in this town than anyone else. “Yeah. It’s been a long time.”

“She’s back for good?” she asks, sliding a glass of bourbon toward me.

I take a sip, savoring the warmth as it spreads through me. “I don’t know. We haven’t talked yet.”

Marian leans against the bar, her eyes filled with curiosity. “And how do you feel about that?”

I let out a sigh, rubbing my beard again. “Mmm. Still working that out.” I finish my drink and stand up. “I’ll be in my office if anyone needs me.”

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