Page 8 of No Man Left Behind

Eventually, Marcus eased back, and while some of the warmth of his touch dissipated, she found a core remaining. A cozy space around her heart.

Smiling at her whimsy, she hoisted her bag and walked with Marcus across the park to the Saloon. The building turned out to have really been an actual saloon in pioneer days. The long, wide bar at the back of the room sat below a balcony, just like in the old photos she’d seen. A staircase led up one wall, and there were several doors off the balcony. There were also doors on either side of the bar leading to the space behind.

Two of the tables on the right-hand side of the space were occupied, and Marcus pointed to the other side. “Let’s pull some tables together.”

They’d just started when a stunning redhead moved toward them with a smile. “Hey, Marcus. Sean texted me that you called in the gang. What’s up?”

Elina watched Marcus’s reaction to the woman. Nothing but friendship. Which had another knot uncurling. She hadn’t asked him about his relationship status, but her heart wanted to know.

Marcus smiled. “You can’t ruin my surprise, Branna.”

Branna grinned back. “By the look on your face, I’m guessing it’s a good surprise. Does it have anything to do with your beautiful friend here?”

As Elina’s face flushed, Marcus laughed. “It does indeed. Branna, I’d like you to meet Elina Vasquez. Elina, this is Branna O’Dea. She’s decided she can put up with Falcon for the foreseeable future.”

Branna laughed. “Only if the foreseeable future means forever. Hi, Elina. Wait. Elina. Are you the woman who they all knew overseas? Afghanistan, maybe?”

Elina’s mouth dropped open. “Wow. Yes, I think that’s me. Unless there was another Elina?”

Marcus shook his head. “You’re our only Elina.”

And they’d spoken about her. Enough that Falcon’s Branna knew about her.

She definitely hadn’t been forgotten.

Elina sank into Marcus’s warmth when he touched the small of her back. “You okay?”

That made her smile. “A little nervous, but better than I’ve been in a very long time.”

She’d dreamed of seeing Arrow again. Dreamed of meeting up with his team. When she’d been held prisoner for those few days, she’d thought of them often. Their strength, resilience, and calm determination had helped her dig deep for her own.

Concern filled his eyes as he watched her deal with her emotions. The man was a fixer, and she knew he wanted to help her deal with what she hadn’t told him. Yet. Knowing his quiet persistence, she wondered if shewouldtell him eventually.

Marcus ran his hand up her arm and then guided her into a seat facing the door of the Saloon. That way, she could see who came in through the door, and no one would surprise her by approaching from behind. He was a thoughtful man. An astute man whose smile and touch sent her heart zinging.

Branna reached out her hand for Elina to shake. “It’s great to meet you. The guys will be thrilled you’re here in Phail. I know they all worried about you being over there with no official support.”

Elina managed to not let her mouth drop open this time. They’d not only talked about her, they’d worried.

Marcus nodded. “Being over there with agencies or troops is one thing. Being over there as a private civilian with no official backup is a whole different thing. You put yourself into situations most people are too afraid to try.”

She felt her face flush. “I just did what I knew how to do. I basically followed the example my parents set for me.”

Branna’s eyes flashed with sorrow, but she smiled warmly. “A very good plan. I’m doing the same thing with this pub. Okay, I’m not going to spoil the surprise, but the guys will be here soon. Can I get you a beer, a glass of wine, or something nonalcoholic?”

Elina wondered about Branna’s story but now wasn’t the time to ask. She didn’t want to pry. “I’d love a beer. The darker, the better.”

Branna grinned at her and then Marcus. “You two make a great pair. I’ll be right back.”

Once she was gone, Elina turned to Marcus. “I take it you like dark beer as well?”

He nodded, and his eyes sparkled. “Definitely. I prefer a stout, but we haven’t finished brewing those hops yet. Branna will bring us Scooby’s Sweet Porter for now. Hope that works.”

“We? Scooby’s Sweet Porter? Are you telling me you’re running a brewery along with being a deputy?”

He grinned. “That’s exactly right. It was Epic’s way of luring the other guys here. The six of us are in business together. Oz grows the hops, and we all chip in with the brewery itself. It’s more fun than I expected.”

While Elina smiled, a part of her felt small. These men had faced such adversity in their time overseas. She’d had a few really rough days, but she hadn’t had to face what so many women did. These men had dealt with so much for years, and they’d gone on to build careers and help each other out. She hadn’t even been able to find a place to settle without feeling like she was under surveillance.

---