Page 5 of The Stone Family Warrior

Well, until Trey had moved back and he and Hunter had heard about what had happened with Cheryse’s first husband. He shook his head. “Cheryse has bad taste in men.”

Apparently, Hunter was thinking the same thing. “Yes, she does. But we are going to play it cool because we want her to tell us if the guy starts beating the crap out of her.”

Trent nodded, pain stabbing into the center of his chest. He’d been so angry when Cheryse had finally told them the truth. Too bad it’d been too late to matter. “We are agreed on that.”

Hunter moved back to the rock he’d been sitting on and placed his guitar in the case. “I’m heading to the car.”

Trent thought about how many miles it was back to the inn. “Fine. I want to stay a bit longer and think about the numbers.”

Hunter scoffed and picked up the headdress. “Dude, we’ve run those numbers in situations from here to Zimbabwe. I don’t know why you won’t give this up.”

Trent let the number continue to flash through his mind’s eye. “Because I don’t give up, that’s why.”

“Fine, stay. All I know is that if Brooks can’t figure it out, and he’s still working with the FBI on this case, then I don’t know how you think you can.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence, bro.” Trent hiked himself up on the rock, crossing his legs and closing his eyes.

“So you’re staying?” Hunter pressed him.

“Catch you on the flip side.”

“Guess so.” Footsteps faded into the distance until Hunter was gone.

Trent closed his eyes, repeating the number over and over in his mind. Dad. Dad, what were you trying to tell us? He stood and moved into Warrior One. He might as well stretch since he was pondering.

A twig snapped. His eyes flashed open and he was shocked to see a woman marching in his direction—a tall, beautiful woman with curly blond hair that flowed down to her waist.

Too bad she was frowning. “Do you really have to be so loud?” She flicked a hand toward him. “You always liked to steal the spotlight at parties; that’s for sure.”

He dropped out of the warrior pose. She spoke to him as if she knew him, and he was sure he would remember someone this smoking hot. “Excuse me?”

She tromped toward him, shaking her head. “I was trying to have a little peace. I was hoping you would leave with Hunter and I wouldn’t have to talk to you—”

“Liberty Grey?” Trent blurted out, all of the synapses finally firing in his brain. She wore a gray T-shirt with the words Peter, Paul, and Mary on it, yoga pants, and tennis shoes. Her hair made him think of that Disney movie he’d watched last week with his niece, Zoey. Tangled. His sister Kensi had commented on how beautiful the blond hair was. Liberty’s hair could compete with the animated princess’s.

“Hey, hello? Eyes up here, please.” She pointed to her eyes. “And it’s Liberty Hamilton now.”

Trent met her gaze and couldn’t help but grin. “Uh, sorry. Your hair is … insane.” And it was insane how attracted he was to this woman. He was suddenly lost in memories. “Didn’t you go to Germany or something? Your grandmother had that send-off party for you.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Oh, the great Trent Stone remembers my send-off party? Well, that’s nice of you.”

“What are you mad at me for?” It was apparent that he’d done something wrong, but for the life of him, he didn’t know what that was.

She waved a hand in dismissal and moved past him. “Never mind. Forget we even saw each other.”

No. Oh no. Trent hopped off the rock and dashed to her side. Another memory hit him. “Wait a sec. You slapped me that day.” He guffawed in disbelief. “That’s right, you actually slapped me.”

She glared at him. “You tried to kiss me.”

“Right.” He nodded, thinking about that night. “That was a bad time for me.”

She walked faster, but he kept pace with her easily. “Yes, it was. Cheryse dumped you only days before.”

Trent chuckled, all of it coming back to him. “And she told me she was dating Hunter.”

“You were rebounding with me.”

Ouch. His smile faded. He felt horrible about his behavior back then. “You’re right. I’m so sorry.”

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