Page 15 of The Female Warrior & The Charming Gentleman

“Anytime.” Paul gave Autumn a quick hug and whispered something in her ear.

She glanced at Jarom, and he felt his hopes flare up again.

“Take care now.” Paul lifted a hand to Jarom, turned, and strode back into the plane.

Jarom carried Autumn’s bag to a huge black Ram truck.

“You all right sitting in the back?” Easton asked.

“Certainly.” He walked around to the passenger side with Autumn, opening the front door for her and waiting for her to climb in. Easton had followed them.

“Jarom,” Autumn said. “I appreciate the gentlemanly gesture, but you’re my assignment and protection detail. I can’t climb in and leave you exposed.”

Jarom glanced around at the deserted airport. “Benjamin Oliver’s men followed us and are going to start firing?” he asked, trying to keep a teasinglilt to his voice.

Autumn gave him a brief smile. “Please load up and let us make sure you’re safe, then we’ll climb in.”

He pushed out a breath. He was the charming gentleman. Always. If he climbed in the back, Easton was going to steal his role. But he didn’t want to upset Autumn or undermine her role as his protector. He simply nodded, hefted her suitcase into the back seat and eased in, shutting the door.

As he’d feared, Easton helped Autumn into the truck, his large hands framing her small waist, his smile almost as big as his belt buckle, and saying something cute to her if her smile and laugh was any indicator.

Easton shut her door and strutted around the front of the truck. The plane taxied away as Easton loaded up. They drove out of the airport while Paul soared into the night sky. Jarom loved flying his own jet. He and Paul had a lot in common. He appreciated the pilot giving him some insight and encouragement about Autumn.

Easton immediately launched into questions about what had happened at Jarom’s house tonight. Jarom didn’t mind talking to him and hashing out the details with him and Autumn. He was relieved the kid eased up on the flirtations, though he threw a few in here or there along with some teenage slang that was comical.

As that conversation topic wound down, Jarom asked Easton about being a bull rider. The young man was cocky but sounded as if he could back that up with expertise and success. It was intriguing to learn about the world of bull riding. He also asked him about the Coleville family and got a rundown of six brothers, one newlywed wife and two fiancées, and Papa Jared and Mama Millie. The large family was intriguing, and each sounded accomplished and respected in their own right.

Autumn’s eyes went downcast when Easton spoke in glowing terms about his mama. She had been in the conversation until then but was suddenly very interested in the dry grass alongside the dark road. What was that all about?

More worrisome was her flirting with the cowboy more than she did Jarom. He could only pray that Easton wouldn’t be by their side night and day. Paul claimed Jarom stood more of a chance than anyone. He had to pray that was true.

Time alone was what he needed to secure her heart. He’d never had a woman reject him. He doubted Easton had either. And for the first time in Jarom’s life … he believed he’d found the right woman for him.

Chapter

Six

They pulledup to massive wrought-iron gates and a serious fence stretching away from it about an hour later. Easton spoke to the guard, laughing with the man. The gate opened and they drove through. Jarom couldn’t see much in the dark night but imagined the forest and mountains would be fairly similar to the setting of his Aspen home.

“Mama’s going to have you both stay in the main house,” Easton explained.

“Keep your enemies close,” Autumn murmured.

Jarom’s neck prickled. He arched around the seat to see her more clearly.

“You’re not her enemy,” Easton said, chuckling as they pulled up to a brightly lit, large and rustic cabin.

“You sure about that?” Autumn smiled, but Jarom could sense her trepidation.

“She simply wants to save your soul and make sure your intentions are righteous toward her favorite son,” Easton said.

Autumn held her smile but flinched slightly. Easton flung his door wide and hopped out. Jarom wasn’t letting him win this time. He shoved his own door open, dodged around it, and caught her door as she opened it.

“Jarom,” she admonished. “You have to let us watch out for you.”

Easton came up to stand next to him.

“Here?” He glanced around at the stillness of thick forest and a remote location. The only sounds were crickets chirping, a slight breeze rustling the brittle leaves remaining in the trees, and the occasional horse or cow sound.

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