Page 59 of Mountain Protector

“I’m glad I met you,” Knox adds. He kisses my cheek again. “I’ve never been happier.”

As Winter and Hannaawwquietly, I turn to Knox. “Me neither.”

The table goes silent for a few seconds before Finnchuckles. “Okay. Are we finishing this toast or what? My arm’s getting soreandI’m getting thirsty.” After a beat, he adds, “And hungry. I think we need more food.”

Enzo adds his mug to the mix. He laughs. “Far be it from me to keep Finn from his food.”

Then he pauses to glance across the bar, his gaze landing on Gage, Alec, Ronan, and Max midway through a cutthroat round of darts. Gage is shaking his head ruefully as Ronan can be heard over the music arguing, “That was cheating. Sting didnotjust walk in here.”

“I’m so damn glad you’re all here. Old friends and new,” Enzo says. He lifts his glass. “Cheers. And let’s not leave it this long next time.”

As I take a sip of my holiday porter, Hanna looks over at me. “You guys should come to Sleepy Hollow for a visit. Everyone would love to meet you.”

“That would be nice,” I reply. “I’ve read about Sleepy Hollow, but I’ve never been there.”

“Lots of Headless Horseman stuff,” Finn says with a smile. “But it’s really nice there.” His smile turns serious as he gazes at Hanna. “When I moved to Sleepy Hollow, my whole life changed. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Aww.

Knox scoots his chair over so our legs are touching. He presses a soft kiss to my head.

“Oh, come out to Colorado,” Mal insists. “It’s gorgeous out there. And we have plenty of room at the ranch. There’s a little bar, and horses…”

Devin lifts his chin at Knox. “It would be great to have you out there.”

Glancing at me, Knox asks, “What do you think, Lark? Would you want to take a couple of trips later this winter? Or maybe in the spring?”

Anticipation replaces the last of the anxiety in my belly. “I’d really like that.”

As I take another sip of my beer, Knox says to Devin, “I’ve been thinking about Fitz lately. Now’s not the time, but… maybe when we get out to Colorado…”

“Yeah.” Devin gives him a sad smile. “He was a great guy. I think about him a lot.”

Devin went through the qualification course with Knox and Fitz, and from what Knox told me, they all became good friends. I don’t know if Devin has any unresolved feelings about Fitz’s death, but I hope it helps Knox to talk to someone who really knew him.

Knox swallows hard. “How about another toast?” He whistles, drawing the rest of his friends’ attention. Once Gage, Alec, Ronan, and Max are clustered around our table, drinks in hand, Knox raises his glass. “To Fitz. Gone but never forgotten.”

Tears burn in my eyes as I clink my glass with Knox’s.

When the toast is done, he turns to me. “Thank you, songbird.”

Cupping his cheek, I lean over to capture his lips.

When we pull apart, he looks at me with a vulnerability I haven’t seen before.

He’s not Knox, the strong and confident Special Forces protector who can handle anything.

This is the Knox he keeps hidden from most people. The part he protects to keep from getting hurt.

And he’s trusting me with it.

My heart squeezes.

I love him.

The realization isn’t slow like I’d thought it would be; a tide rolling in.

It’s a tidal wave. Engulfing me. Leaving no uncertainty.

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