Page 25 of Mountain Protector

A few minutes later, after introductions and effusive thanks for getting my stuff from my house, Knox is finally ready to leave. But he lingers by the door, giving last-minute instructions instead.

“Take a pain pill if you’re really hurting,” he tells me. “They’re in the kitchen, right by the coffeemaker. And if you need me, just call. I’ll have my phone on.”

To Winter, who’s watching him with an amused smile, he says, “Lark was a little dizzy earlier. And she only slept a couple of hours. So if she?—”

“Knox.” Winter’s voice is gentle but firm. “I know you’re concerned. But Lark and I are both grown women. I think we’ll be okay.”

“I know.” A sheepish smile lifts his lips. “I just… you know.”

“I’ll call if there’s a problem,” I promise. “And I’ll see you soon.”

Once the door shuts behind him, Winter flops onto the couch and turns toward me, crossing her legs, pretzel-style. She grins. “I’ve never seen Knox like this before. It’s cute.”

“Cute?”

Winter twists her long, caramel hair as she replies, “Well, I haven’t known Knox that long, just since the summer, but I’ve spent a good amount of time with him. The guys on the team, they’re really close, you know? So we all go into town to hang out at Blissful Brews, or they come over to our house for dinner. And in all that time, the only woman I’ve ever heard him talk about is you.”

“Oh?” I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from smiling. “What does he say?”

“How smart you are. How impressed he is by you. Every time I see Knox, he mentions something about this mysterious neighbor of his.Oh, Lark came up with this amazing all-natural recipe to deter mice. She’s too kind-hearted to put traps out. Lark loves to read; she said she reads at least three books a week.Stuff like that.”

Watching my expression, Winter adds, “In all the times I’ve been out with the guys, he’s never responded to any of the women who approach him. But with you… he’s so… attentive. Concerned.”

“I’m sure it’s just because of everything that happened,” I reply. “We’re just friends.”

“Areyou?” One eyebrow arches up. Her lips quirk.

“Yes.” But it doesn’t sound very certain.

“These guys, they’ve all been through some crap,” she explains. “Stuff in the military. You know they all served, right?”

“Yes.” I pull the blanket back over my knees. “Knox, Enzo, and Alec were Green Berets. Gage was a Night Stalker. And Ronan was Delta.”

“Yup. So all of them, they still are dealing with some of the bad memories, you know? Like Enzo, he lost a teammate overseas. And he moved back here after his grandfather died. So he was dealing with a lot when I met him. It made him… hesitant to open up at first.”

“And you think Knox is the same way?”

She nods. “I do. And I know you don’t know me yet, so you might be thinking, why is this stranger getting all in my business? Why am I bringing this up at all?” Winter grimaces. “And I am being a bit of a busybody. But Knox… all the guys… they were so great when I was in trouble. Green Mountain Guardians didn’t even exist back then. But they all stepped up to help, anyway.”

Winter pauses before continuing, “I just wanted you to know. Knox is fantastic. And… I saw the way he looked atyou. Maybe you don’t feel the same way about him, and that’s okay. You don’t have to. But if you do…” She gives a tiny shrug. “Maybe it’s something to think about.”

And even though I literally just met Winter, she’s so friendly and she looks like she really cares about Knox, I find myself asking, “You don’t think it’s a bad time? With everything going on?”

This time, she doesn’t hesitate to answer. “I thought the same thing in the beginning, with Enzo. But then I realized love doesn’t always come at the most convenient time. Sometimes it shows up when you least expect it.”

“Oh.” Suddenly flustered, I say, “I’m not in love. I mean…”

“Right. Of course not.” Winter grins again. “Not yet, at least.”

My cheeks go hot. “Oh. Well?—”

“Anyway.” Taking pity on me, she quickly changes the topic. “I brought some stuff over. Candles. Some aromatherapy. Candy. Cookies. Things to help you relax.”

I chuckle. “Cookies are relaxing?”

Winter laughs. “Well, the candles and aromatherapy are. Candy and cookies are just necessary.”

Knox was right. I do like Winter.

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