Page 21 of The Darkest Knight

Gage laughed. “Yeah, I bet you don’t. That’s the biggest lie of the century. All men crave holding womanly curves. If it wasn’t for Vanna, I’d feel like I was losing my mind. I don’t know what she sees in me, but I won’t argue.”

Against logic, at the mention of curves, Seth’s mind naturally targeted on an image of Reese. “I’m happy for you. You keep pleasing Vanna and leave my sex life to me. I’m doing okay.”

“Fair enough. By the way, did you hear about Johnson?”

“Last I heard he and his wife were having it pretty tough since he came back from Iraq. He seemed a little better since he was seeing a doctor for his depression.”

Concern darkened Gage’s gaze. He jerked off his hat and smashed it against his chest. It was no wonder it was worn and dirty. “Sorry to have to tell you, but two days ago he committed suicide. His wife found him.”

Seth jumped up from the chair and had an urge to put his fist through the wall. Each time he heard about a friend killing themselves or losing their lives, he felt a similar screaming ache rushing through him. “Johnson was a good man.”

“Yes, he was, but he’d been grappling with PTSD for some time. Anyway, if you’re interested, me and a few of the guys are meeting at Mountain Mug later and raising some money for Johnson’s wife and kids. That’s about all we can do for him now.” He pushed his hat back on about the same time a silhouette shadowed the door.

Seth and Gage both brought their gazes up on the petite brunette standing in the doorway.

*****

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you had company.” Reese looked from Seth to the young man who was staring at her.

After several awkward seconds, the man pushed off the workbench and shifted his boots. “No problem. I was just leaving.”

“No. I can come back.” She started to back out of the space.

“I have to get back and get my brothers on the roll. Looks like we have business to tend to.” The man strolled to the door, offered her a youthful smile, and stepped out into the warm sun. A second later the loud muffler on his truck rumbled as he drove away.

“I really am sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt. Should I come back?”

“Come in. That was Gage. He and his brothers will be helping us get the cabins in ship-shape.”

Until now, she hadn’t gotten a very good view of Seth because he was partially hidden by the opened hood of the car. So when he stepped out into full view wearing no shirt and a pair of jeans so worn that they were faded and frayed in spots, she almost swallowed her tongue. She’d gotten an idea just how strong he was built, but now, sweat slickened body smeared with grease and his hair messed in wild waves, this was a whole new level of sexy and strong. Wanting to admire his masculine beauty longer, his gaze was on her and she couldn’t dare let him in on how attractive she found him. After the quick hug days ago, which had been an innocent gesture, had turned out to be a feeling that had kept her warm through the night and into the mornings. Seeing him now, the warmth turned into heat.

“Thank you for the groceries you left. That was very sweet. How much do I owe you?” She’d been surprised to find the groceries on her step and wasn’t sure why he didn’t knock. She’d guessed that he was avoiding her. For a man who didn’t seem to be compassionate, he had more compassion than most men she’d ever met. She moved closer, her nostrils assaulted by a strong scent of oil and rubber. The breeze wafted through the open door, swirled around the garage and she caught another scent—Seth’s spicy, leather scent that seemed magnified by her rushing blood. She knew because it had rubbed off on her skin when she had her arms wrapped around his neck only for that short of time.

He blinked. “You don’t owe me a dime.”

She took out the contract she’d read over three times last night before she finally signed it. “And I have this. It’s signed.” She laid it down on the clean table where other paperwork was scattered.

He looked at the contract, then back to her. “Did you speak to an attorney about it? Any questions?”

She shrugged, sending the shoulder of her shirt lower on her arm. She tugged it back up. “I understand everything. I own the idea, but you own the land and everything tied down to it. Fair enough. The salary you’re offering, along with living expenses, is more than generous.” In fact, she almost fell off the chair when she’d read the number. It took her three shots before she finally absorbed the amount. It was enough that she could get back on her feet again.

“You working as an employee is only a technicality…”

She stuffed her hands into the back pockets of her shorts. “I get it. It doesn’t matter as long as this works to help veterans. It will. I’m confident in that fact.”

“I have all the supplies in the shed. I was thinking tomorrow we could get our hands dirty and do some work. How do you feel about opening a can of paint tomorrow?”

“I’m ready.”

“Okay.” He blew out a long breath, the stress lines around his eyes and mouth told her he had a large amount of restless energy. She wondered what she’d interrupted between the friend and Seth. Now she felt like she’d walked in on something that she couldn’t quite walk away from. Who was she kidding? The second she arrived here at Landing Knight she’d found herself in a twilight zone of emotion and feeling. “Then tomorrow it is.”

She was ready to jump in, feeling the need to do something constructive besides sneak peeks of Seth when he wasn’t looking. Right now, for the first time in a long time, she had some form of security, and that’s what she needed. A place to call home. A cause.

“I have something I need to do tonight so I won’t be around.” He rubbed his tight jaw.

“Oh, okay. I wanted you to know I finally was able to speak to the trainer, Tanner, and he said he could come here the week after next.”

He nodded, but he seemed to teeter totter between something he wanted to say and what he should say. “I’ll have to check my planner.”

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