Chapter Eight
Lily hadn’t wanted to leave Gunner last night, but she’d spent too many years being careful to just throw caution to the wind and invite some handsome man into her trailer to … play Rummikub or Scrabble or maybe let him kiss something besides her cheek. She smiled to herself. She would love to kiss him but even having somebody to play a board game with would be a fun change of pace. She looked at the lineup of protection against man and beast that she always kept on her side counter: stun gun, pepper spray, bear spray, and a small pistol. She’d chosen her lifestyle, and it was right for her, but it was lonely.
She woke early that morning, dressed in running gear, and hurried outside. Gunner said he had a tent and she assumed he was camped farther south around the west side of the lake. Stretching her arms above her head, she thanked the good Lord for another beautiful morning and another day away from her mother and maybe a chance to develop a relationship with an incredible man. She’d wanted to kiss him in the water last night, but the fact that he’d let her walk away made her like him and trust him.
She walked swiftly along the dirt road to the south. Around the bend she saw Gunner’s white Atlas and camp site. She stopped and surveyed it. Impressive. It was clean and organized. His tent was North Face, probably a four-person. He had an outdoor shower set up and a clothes line. A cooler and portable picnic table were under a shade tree. He wasn’t as serious as she was about living as a wanderer, but he was pretty well-prepared.
As she stood there, trying to debate if she should go bang on the tent, the zipper rose up. Lily should’ve backed away, run back to the corner, and reappeared in a few minutes, but she stood frozen. Gunner ducked out of the tent and stretched, wearing only some cotton shorts. Lily’s mouth fell open as her eyes trailed over the lean lines of his upper body. She’d seen him in a swimsuit yesterday, but she didn’t mind the repeat and the opportunity to gawk. He was very strong, and he looked very good.
His eyes found hers, and he raised a hand in greeting. “You’re up early.”
Lily tried to act nonchalant and normal, hiding her reaction to his incredible physique as she walked toward him. “I was so excited to finally beat you at something, I couldn’t sleep.”
Gunner chuckled and scrubbed his fingers at his beard. “Let me grab some socks and shoes so you can finally beat me at something.”
“And a shirt,” Lily said.
His eyebrows rose. “You don’t want me running without a shirt on?”
She let herself appreciate his beautiful chest again. “You could get sunburn or poison ivy or random women appearing from behind the sagebrush, throwing themselves at your perfect chest.”
Gunner’s full grin appeared and admitting how beautiful he was was worth it. My, oh, my, she liked his grin.
“We wouldn’t want that,” he said.
“No, sir. I can only protect you from those chest-ogling women if you’re properly attired.”
Gunner shook his head, still grinning, and ducked back in the tent. Lily paced around, wishing she’d brought an energy drink or at least some water. There was no way she was going to beat an athlete like Gunner at anything. Though she didn’t truly care, the beating him thing was more something to tease about, she didn’t particularly want to eat crow.
He came back out of the tent in a white t-shirt with socks and shoes on. Zipping up the tent, he walked her way, still with a slight smile on his face. “I don’t think I’ve ever smiled as much as I do with you.”
Lily flushed with pleasure. “Aw, that’s the sweetest thing anyone’s ever said to me.”
“I highly doubt that.”
They fell into step, jogging to the south. “What do you mean?”
Gunner glanced at her. “You’re funny, smart, beautiful, and impressive. I’m sure you get so many compliments you just brush them off.”
Lily concentrated on the view of the lake to their left and the barren steep hill to their right. Gunner’s perception of her was sweet but so off. Maybe she was funny and beautiful, but she wasn’t smart or impressive. What had she accomplished in her life, besides evading her wicked mother?
When she didn’t say anything Gunner muttered, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
She forced a smile. “No, don’t apologize. I’ll savor the compliments. Was it hard for you to give them?” She teased.
He glanced askance at her. “With you, it’s getting easier and easier.”
Lily smiled and increased her pace. Gunner kept up easily as they ran through the trail, and then across the south dam. They were both out of breath when they ran up to the higher road, above the south edge of the lakes. As they made it to the waterfall, really just an input of water from the mountains to the east, then started along the tree-lined east side, they both caught their breath. Lily asked him about his family and he shared funny stories about Lottie, Mae, Slade, Ally, Preston, and Jex. He kept her entertained and the five-mile run flew by. Before she knew it, they were nearing her trailer.
She’d enjoyed talking with him so much that she’d forgotten about beating him. “Sprint to your tent,” she called, taking off.
Gunner chuckled from behind her but within seconds he’d caught her. They flew side-by-side down the dirt road. Lily loved the sensation. She kicked on more speed but as his tent approached, Gunner was still right by her side. With his longer legs, and the fact that he didn’t seem to be breathing as hard as her, he could probably beat her, but didn’t, he simply stayed right by her side.
She flew to his tent and slapped it. “I beat you at something besides flirting.”
Gunner threw back his head and laughed. “Yes, you did.”
She winked at him. “Finally.” Resting her hands on her upper thighs, she tried to catch her breath. When she could talk normally, she said, “Swimming?”
“Sure.”
She walked to the water’s edge, slipped off her shoes and socks, and waded into the cool water. Gunner followed her, but he also pulled his t-shirt off and tossed it on his shoes.
Lily’s mouth went dry. “I warned you. All those women are going to rush you and it might be too much even for my superior fighting skills.”
Gunner smiled. “I’ll take my chances.” Then he rushed at her, lifted her off her feet, and against that beautiful chest. He was sweaty. She didn’t care. Plunging through the water, he got waist deep then dunked them both under.
Lily came up sputtering and laughing, and thankfully still in his arms. If things kept progressing with him, by tonight she might be kissing those lovely lips, and maybe playing games in her camper wasn’t too far off.
The sun glistened off his handsome face. He stared intently at her. She thought he might try to kiss her again, but he simply asked, “Swim?”
Lily pushed away from him and started with the breast stroke. “Be prepared to be beat again.”
He chuckled. “Navy SEAL, remember?”
Lily wrinkled her nose. “You got nothing on me, military boy.”
His laughter followed her as she changed to freestyle, and of course, within seconds he blew by her. Lily laughed and found she didn’t care who won, as long as she got to be with him.
Work dragged as Lily waited for the time that Gunner would appear. She’d asked James to make them a special dinner of steak and sides of his au gratin potatoes and homemade mac ‘n cheese. Another calorie bomb dinner, but she thought Gunner would love it.
When Gunner appeared, she thought she was ready to see him, but he looked so handsome in a blue shirt and gray shorts that she was quite out of breath as she hurried to meet him.
She greeted him with, “You ready for the best dinner of your life, military boy?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She took his hand and led him to a corner table. “Sit here. I’ll bring it all out and eat with you.”
He didn’t sit, but stared at her. “I don’t want you serving me. Can I help you?”
“Sorry. No unsanitary men
who run around without their shirts on are welcome in my kitchen.” She winked and pushed him toward the chair. “Sit.”
Gunner sat down and grinned at her. “Okay.”
Lily rushed to get the food and they both savored the filet mignon and sides. She found conversation was easy with him as she told him about some of the places she’d lived, and he shared a little about military life. As they finished, she tried to insist the meal was on the house, but he left a hundred dollar bill on the table. Lily arched an eyebrow but didn’t question it. He was either showing off for her, had family money, or had been super-smart with the money he made in the military.
Sarah rushed up and assured them she’d clean up. They both thanked her and walked out into the warm afternoon.
Gunner walked her to her bike. “Can I … take you home?”
Lily stared up at him. She trusted him. Maybe it was crazy as she’d known him all of three days, but she trusted him as much as she’d ever trusted anyone. “Yes,” she whispered.
Gunner’s serious gaze swept over her. “Thank you.”
Lily tried to joke. “Do you realize the amount of trust I’m placing in you?”
Gunner studied her, and then nodded. “I do. Thank you, Lily.”
Lily ducked her head and smiled. She may have found the perfect man. Trusting him felt more freeing than telling her mother where to go and striking out on her own six years ago.
Chapter Nine
Gunner thought today was one of the best he’d ever had. Running and swimming with Lily this morning, eating a delicious dinner with her this afternoon, and now they were on the boat. They’d both skied today, as the boys had taken the extra weight for wakeboarding out of the small boat. She was a little disgruntled that he’d never water skied and got up on one ski his first try, but Lily could slalom much better than him and that gave her something to tease him about. Only his family teased him, and he loved that Lily could so easily tease him. Right now they were hollering for Blake as he showed off barefooting. Gunner had slipped Blake a hundred when they got on the boat, and he’d looked at him like he was nuts.
“For gas,” Gunner explained, catching an arched eyebrow from Lily. He might have to explain soon that he’d saved most of the money he made in the military. He couldn’t really share that he was still making fabulous money working for Sutton, and his mom liked to give him little gifts like a condo not far from their home south of Boston, and a million-dollar retirement account. He knew she made extravagant gestures so he could be free to pursue his calling in life: protecting people. He loved her even more for making it possible.
Blake nodded. “Thanks, man. With that much we can take you out every day until it snows.”
“Sounds great.” Gunner wished life could be that simple, living in this peaceful spot near Lily and boating every day, but he was waiting for some word from Sutton that either they’d caught the stalker or that the guy was coming after Lily. He couldn’t let his guard down. Lily seemed to trust him now. Would she be upset when she found out he’d been hired by her mother to protect her? He cringed at the thought and pushed the worry away.
The sun was getting close to the mountains when the boys admitted they’d better go move sprinkler pipe. They cruised back toward the dock by Lily’s camper.
Lily leaned in closer to Gunner and said, “Do you want to play Rummikub in my trailer?”
Gunner met her clear, blue gaze, sensing this was a leap of trust for her. He wanted to just say yes but had to clarify. “I take it you don’t regularly invite men over for … Rummikub?”
She smiled, and he could hardly wait to play Rummikub, and maybe get a taste of those full lips. This was officially the best assignment he’d ever had. Lily was the most unique, appealing woman he’d ever met.
“No, I don’t.”
“I’d love to.”
Gunner was gazing at her like a fool when he heard an engine roar. He looked up to see a four-door, silver Chevy drive forward down the boat ramp, with no boat or trailer, and slam to a stop. The front doors popped open and two men climbed out, M249 light machine guns held loosely in their hands.
Gunner’s neck tightened. “Go, Josh!” he yelled.
Josh must’ve seen the guns as well because he spun the wheel and gunned it away from the dock. Water sprayed behind them as they skimmed across the lake. Blake was cursing up a storm.
The men swung their guns up and Gunner dove onto Lily, pushing her underneath him on the seat and yelling, “Get down.” He prayed that the boys wouldn’t get hurt as he heard the retort of the guns firing and the pinging of bullets against metal as they hit the boat. He’d left his gun in the tent because there was no way to hide it in a swimsuit. Stupid.
The boat flew out of range and the bullets stopped hitting their mark. He sat up and focused across the lake at the truck and men receding in the distance. The men stopped firing and scrambled for their vehicle.
“Everybody okay?” Gunner asked, glancing over Lily. She nodded shakily.
“Yeah, man,” Josh said.
Blake nodded, looking shell-shocked. “What was that?”
“They’re after us,” Gunner said.
“What?” Lily’s voice cracked. “Us?”
Gunner focused on her. “You.”
“Me?”
He nodded. “I’ve been hired to protect you.”
Lily’s eyes were wide and her mouth open, but Gunner didn’t have time to explain or reassure her right now. The windy road around the west side of the lake wouldn’t take those men more than five or six minutes to navigate.
“Where’s your vehicle?” he asked Blake.
The young man pointed at the other dock on the north side of the lake.
“Can I take it?”
Blake sort of shrugged and nodded at the same time. “I guess.”
They were roaring up to the other dock.
“I have an Atlas back past Lily’s camper. I’ll unhook your trailer and leave you the Atlas. I’ll get your vehicle back as soon as I can, or replace it.”
Josh was focused on driving up to the dock, but Blake was nodding as if he understood.
“The keys are in the Atlas. The code is 7443. Say it.”
“7443,” Blake repeated. He fished some keys out of his pocket. “It’s the two-tone Ford at the top of the ramp.”
Josh came in too fast to the dock and the boat bounced off of it before Gunner could reach out and grab it.
“What if they come after us?” Josh asked in an unsteady voice.
“They won’t. They want Lily.” Gunner grasped her arm and helped her out of the boat. “Thanks, guys.” He wrapped his hand around Lily’s and sprinted for the truck. The gravel road dug into his feet, but he ignored the pain. Luckily Lily kept up, didn’t ask any questions, and didn’t complain. Gunner was even more impressed, thinking some people would be asking a million questions at this point, or flailing and screaming in distress.
There was only one other truck at the top of the boat ramp, so it was easy to guess that the old farm truck was Blake and Josh’s. Gunner’s stomach sank. They’d never outrun that new truck in this old thing. He quickly unhooked the trailer and pushed it back then he tugged Lily toward the driver’s side. The door was unlocked. He yanked it open and Lily scrambled across to the passenger seat.
The engine roared loudly on the first turn. Gunner’s hopes rose. Had Josh and Blake souped this thing up?
Lily secured her seatbelt, and he noticed how bad her hands were shaking.
“It’s okay,” he reassured her. “I’ve got a lot of experience and training.” Unfortunately no guns, though. He dropped the truck into gear and sped along the north side of the lake. This truck had power; maybe the boys had been restoring it but hadn’t gotten to the exterior yet.
The dock they’d been dropped off at was only a quarter of a mile from the entrance to the lake. The other dock, near Lily’s trailer was a couple of miles in and only accessible by the windy, dirt road. If they were luc
ky, they could beat the men off the lake and lose them in the back roads of southern Idaho.
“Who are you?” Lily demanded.
“Gunner Steele.”
“Don’t lie to me,” she said in a ferocious tone. “I thought I could trust you.”
Gunner’s stomach squirmed. “You can trust me, Lily.”
“Not anymore,” she murmured then her voice rose. “How do you know I’m in danger? Who hired you?”
Gunner wanted to reassure her but really didn’t have time to get into this right now. They were almost to the intersection with the dam and the road that ran to the north of it and off the lake. He saw the silver Chevy flying across the dam toward them.
Flooring it, he felt a surge of power as the truck launched over some bumps in the road and down the decline. Dust spewed behind them. He hoped the men couldn’t see clearly and would plunge off the edge of the dam, but if they were stranded they might go after Josh and Blake, and he didn’t want that. This cloud of dust could slow the men’s pursuit, but he and Lily wouldn’t be able to get away without being seen.
He hit the road below the dam and on instinct turned north. Pushing the gas pedal all the way to the floor, he was rewarded with another surge of power and the truck flew down the road, fish-tailing a little bit but the tires were good. It topped out at eighty-five, but on a gravel road, he didn’t know that he wanted to go much faster. Crashing at this point would seal Lily’s fate. With the dust pluming behind them he had no clue if the other truck was in pursuit or not.
“Where are you going?”
Steele Family Romance Collection Page 29