Page 3 of Sworn to Protect

“Shouldn’t that towing company be here by now?”

She averts her gaze. The relentless afternoon sun cascades around us like a blanket of fire, but the heat pales in comparison to the guilt flaming her cheeks. “I, uh, don’t have cell service.”

“You said you called them.”

“I lied.”

My lips twitch. One thing Ethan forgot to tell me was how spunky Mackenzie could be. However, he covered the stubborn part well. “Let me see if I have service.” I go back to the truck and pull out my phone. The three bars and illuminated LTE have me raising my eyes toward the heavens, thankful for something working out. “I have cell service.”

“Thank God. I’m not sure what we would’ve done otherwise.”

I would’ve had them pile into my truck while we drove to town is what would’ve happened, but I have enough sense not to say that out loud. Instead, I quickly search for towing companies and dial the one with the highest ratings—Tatman’s Towing.

I pass her the phone, and after verifying a truck heading in our direction and informing them where to tow her vehicle, she shoots those expressive eyes full of vigor and grit my way. “You don’t have to stay if you don’t want to. I’m sure you were heading somewhere.”

I hold her gaze for a moment, lost in their sincerity. Her husband and I had been friends since he joined our unit three years ago. Ethan joked how he didn’t have too many. He said not many people could handle his awesomeness. I hated to break it to him, but it was more like arrogance. But I got where he came from. We bonded. Our friendship was born out of solidarity from belonging to the loners’ club. He opened up about his marriage. But the woman standing before me is nothing like the wife he’d described.

“I’m not going anywhere until you’re safe. We should order a Lyft to take you and the boys to the repair shop.”

The corners of her mouth lift to a slight grin. “Appreciate it.”

“Just doing my job.”

Her eyebrows furrow. “Where are you heading to?”

I feel my face harden. It’s not as if the location is a secret, but herneeding roadside assistance has thrown me off my game. After a beat, I reply, “Naperville.”

“You’re not originally from there, are you? I don’t recognize the name.”

“No.” My response is clipped. When her mouth opens to speak, I cut her off. We don’t need to play the twenty-one-question game. “Do your kids need any water?”

“Oh, I better check.” She shakes her head as she beelines to them. Next, she opens her driver’s side door, and before climbing inside, she says, “We’re good.”

She doesn’t emerge until the towing company arrives. Out of respect, or maybe for my own good, I stand beside my truck, still in shock over finding her so quickly, until the tow truck pulls away, followed by the Lyft that arrived to transport Mackenzie and the boys. But I have a funny feeling that things just went from manageable to complex.

CHAPTER TWO

MACKENZIE

The door dingchimes overhead in the quaint coffee shop, but I don’t look up. I focus on wiping down the counter. The early morning rush has passed, but I need to prepare for the lunch crowd. Not that we get an overwhelming horde of people here in Naperville, but Brewed Awakening is the go-to spot for your morning and afternoon caffeine jolt. I never realized how busy this café gets. And this former stay-at-home mother must admit working here was an adjustment. But no worries. I have the job down pat now.I think.

“Oh, my. That hottie must be the new guy in town.” Jill’s voice cuts through my thoughts. If my old high school friend’s tone is anything to go by, he must look as delicious as the pastries in the display case.

Lifting my gaze to the man in question, I almost drop the rag. His back is to us as he stands by the newspaper rack and flips through the magazines. I may not see his face, but I’d recognize that build anywhere. Tall, muscular frame. Broad shoulders that hint at a tattoo that, from memory, extends past his left biceps. Dark, buzzed-cut hair with enough length on top to run fingers through. And a tight ass that looks rather tasty in those black jogging pants. Yeah, the new guy is none other than my rescuer, Nate Dixon.

The same guy who makes me aware of my heartbeat.

The same guy who infiltrated my thoughts and caused a restless night’s sleep.

That was before a massive amount of guilt grabbed hold, and my sleepless night morphed into a pity party for one.

“I wonder how long he plans on staying.” Him being in Naperville can’t bode well for my psyche.

“I’m not sure, but watch this one. His broodiness has that mysterious vibe, but he isn’t overly friendly. He’s staying at The Cabins and hardly spoke to Mrs. Overly when he checked in. She asked about his occupation, and he clammed up like a shell. Something’s definitely off with him. He may be a looker, but the way he blows off the locals . . .” Jill makes a clicking sound with her tongue. “His city-slicker attitude won’t last long around here.”

I turn to Jill, my hackles raised. I’m not sure where the sudden need to defend his honor comes from, but Nate was nothing but friendly yesterday. He may have been a tad evasive, but he didn’t back down. Even my rudeness wasn’t a deterrent, no matter how hard I tried to make him leave. “How do you know all of this?”

“Linda called me last night. She’s the town informant, in case you forgot.”

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