She laughed. “Is that so?”
Cory grinned and even though the clouds hung low, the sky opened up with sunshine. All of it coming from this D-op veteran. Silently, they gazed at one another. The moment drawing out too long and fanning flames she had no business entertaining.
“You’re beautiful when you smile. You know that right?”
Her stomach turned over three times. “You don’t smile enough,” she retorted.
“Yeah, well you’ve never seen me drunk, Miss Samantha.”
“Go home, Delta Force, and take your come-ons with ya.”
A truly roguish grin graced his lips, and she narrowed her eyes.
“Just telling it the way I see it. Life’s too short, ya know.”
“Yeah, I do. See you on Monday.”
“I have to check in with Hank, and then thought I’d head over to the watering hole in town.”
Sol’s Saloon was one of three bars in downtown Eagle Rock, but everyone referred to it as the watering hole. Obviously, Cory had thrown back a few since he’d arrived in town. It was also the place most single girls went to find a single guy.
“I’m sure you’ll find some company there.”
Cory replaced his hat and nodded. “Thought maybe you’d consider some different scenery. I’ve been on my best behavior after killing that cat to make up for lousy first impressions.”
Sam had noticed how hard he worked. Carl, the Bluebell’s senior ranch hand loved him. The other guys had adopted him as one of their own, and they didn’t like strangers for the most part.
“I’ve got a date with a frozen pizza. Thanks anyway.”
Cory rested the toe of his boot on the first step and gripped the wooden hand rail. Then his head tipped up and he looked her square in the eyes. “Who was he?”
She opened her mouth to tell him a lie, but stopped with his steely gaze. “He worked with Team Bravo. His name was Lieutenant Glenn Thompson.” She swallowed hard. “Delta Force.”
Cory blinked. “Flynn?”
The air escaped Sam’s lungs with a cold whoosh. “Yes. Did you…did you know him?”
Cory’s jaw grew hard as marble and he nodded slowly. “You’re the Samantha he always talked about. That was a long time ago.” He huffed out a small laugh. “Small world.”
Sam couldn’t breathe. “Smaller in the Army.”
Cory turned without another word and got in his truck. With a short wave, he threw his arm across the back seat and left.
“Too small,” she whispered.
Chapter Four
Cory slowed to under forty miles per hour, caught behind a logging truck on the road back to town. He was in no hurry. Fuck. Samantha was Flynn’s girl. The guy had been crazy about her. Used to talk about her all the time. Hated having to stand her up when they’d have to get outta Dodge on a mission. He remembered Flynn said she was beautiful. Caring. Warm and sweet. He’d been on the mission that took Flynn’s life. Four of their guys paid the ultimate price on that op. He wondered whether Sam knew Flynn had bought a ring.
They’d been sitting in wait for a HVT outside of a village called Chah-e Anjir in the KuhakRural District. Flynn had showed him the ring. Said he wanted her to quit being a nurse and go home and be his wife before war turned her sweetness into something sour. Maybe she would have, if he’d had the chance to ask her.
Before he knew it, Cory was parked outside of Martha’s B&B. Mrs. Martha Gulliver had given him a monthly rate he could afford until he found a permanent place. More than likely, she wanted him to date her daughter, who Martha happened to mention was twenty-one and single, every morning she made him breakfast.
Cory showered and dressed in a dark blue shirt and a new pair of Levis. He liked the feel of them. Liked the feel of cowboy boots instead of combat boots. He chuckled to himself. Maybe Hank was right, he needed time to get accustomed to civilian life again. Working on the Bluebell Ranch had been a lucky break.
Finding a table in the corner of the bar, because some habits never died, he positioned his back against the wall and watched the Friday night patrons come in while he sipped on a cold brew. Three guys were setting up on a tiny stage at the back of the bar. Probably local guys who threw some tunes together.
After his third beer, he hailed the server. A tall blonde gal with her hair in a high ponytail and wearing a tight fitting T-shirt with Sol’s across her chest, stopped at his table. She’d flirted every time he’d drop by for a beer.
“Hey, Katie.”
“Hi, handsome. What can I get ya?”
“Menu.”
“Eating alone?” Cory’s gaze shot to the front door to see Sam walk in.
“No. Not tonight,” he said, a small smile tightening his lips. “How about a couple beers and another menu.”
“Sure.”
Sam waved at a few people who called out her name, then her gaze skirted the crowd until it came to rest on him.
Fuck, Flynn knew how to pick ‘em. Samantha had curled her dark chocolate hair and wore a pearl colored silk shirt and fresh jeans that gripped those amazing hips of hers, like he wanted to do. He watched her approach. Who was he kidding? She was here because she’d pepper him with questions about Flynn, not because she wanted to share a beer. She looked nervous as hell when she stepped up to his table.
He wanted her to relax and enjoy a few minutes with him. “Ordered you a cold one.”
“Hey, Sam, nice to see ya.” Katie laid down two menus on the well-worn wood table. “I’ll be right back with your beers.”
“Thanks.” Sam slowly sat down after hooking her purse over the back knob of the chair. “The pizza didn’t look so appetizing.”
He rubbed his chin and said, “Pretty good food here.”
She nodded and thanked Katie when she put the beers on the table. She cleared her throat. “They, uh, usually have a group of local guys sing on Friday night.”
“They’re over there setting up,” he said. “You dance?”
“No, not for a long time, anyway.”
“Let me guess, the last time was with Flynn.”
She scrubbed her face with her hands and perched her chin on her clenched knuckles. “Yes. If you don’t count in the shower or a let-your-hair-down night at the base.”
He sat back in his chair feeling a little disappointed, and that kinda surprised him. “Why don’t you just ask what you want to ask and get it on the table?”
“What do you mean?” She gulped back a large swallow of beer.
“I mean, you want to know about Flynn.”
Sam put her gaze on the glass and played with the moisture on the outside with her fingertip. “I was young. Only two months in when I met him. I fell head over heels in love. It was bad enough I watched him die on the table.”
“Oh, shit. I didn’t know that.”
She inhaled deeply. “What hurt even more was I went through his uniform after he’d passed to gather his possessions into a box to be shipped home. And I found a ring.” She stuck her tongue into her cheek. “I was so naïve. I thought he loved me.” She nodded in memory. “But he had someone else. Someone he loved more. Obviously, someone he was going to ask to marry. I hated him and I grieved at the same time, but it helped me recover too.”
Cory watched Sam drain the glass, and he motioned for Katie to bring a couple more. He had two choices. Let Sam keep hating Flynn or tell her the truth, and maybe have to watch her grieve all over again for what might have been.
The debate went on in his head for over a minute before she said, “Sorry, I really didn’t come here to try and dig up old memories.”
He sat forward and covered her hands with his. “The ring was for you.” Sam’s big blue eyes flashed up at him. “Yeah, he told me on the same mission that he lost his life. He loved you. Wanted you to be safe. To go home. He talked about two point five kids and the picket fence. All of it with you.”
He watched Sam’s eyes shine with tears. Her pain struck him hard and his heart curled into a tig
ht ball. Even though he was prepared for the tears, he didn’t like seeing them. One tear rimmed her lashes and slid down her smooth cheek. With a mind of its own, his hand reached up and gently swept her painful memories away.
She picked up the napkin on the table and dried her eyes. “Thank you for telling me.”
Katie appeared beside them. “So what’s for dinner?” She smiled brightly at him.
“I’ll have the rib-eye, and she’s leaving.”
Sam’s brilliant eyes glanced at Katie and back at him. “I am?”
“Aren’t you?”
“I’ll come back in a minute,” Katie said, and backed away quickly.
Sam pushed her chair back to leave. “I guess I’ll be going then.”
Before she escaped, he coiled his hand around her fingers. “I get it. No harm, no foul.”
“You think I came just to dig for information?”
He shrugged.
“I don’t want to get in the way of your hooking up with someone.”
Katie deposited two more beers and scampered away. He slowly pushed a beer toward Sam. “Wouldn’t have asked you to join me for dinner if I wanted to hook up with someone else, now would I?”
Sam blushed and accepted the beer. “You like rib-eye and beer. What else do you like?”
He could say “you”, but he didn’t. She was skittish as a new colt and he wanted her to relax. “Getting kind of fond of this town.”
“Clean air. Good people. Simple life.”
Cory lifted his glass, and she brought hers to rest against his. “Just what the nurse ordered.”
She grinned, her beautiful full lips parting. “Just what the nurse ordered,” she agreed.
By the time their plates were polished clean, the music had started and they’d both put down three more beers.
Katie placed two tequila shooters in front of them and then cleared their plates.
“What’s this?” Sam asked.
“Mackenzie ordered them,” Katie answered.
Cory had seen him come in with three other guys and sit a few tables over. He wondered whether or not he’d approach. One thing Cory had learned, assholes never stopped being assholes, as he watched Mackenzie swagger toward their table.
“Congratulations, Sammy. Heard you won the bid for the production.”
Sam’s hands forked together and then she raised her head. “Thanks, Mack.”
“Hey, bodyguard.” Mackenzie’s words slurred enough to fire off a red flare in Cory. A drunk asshole meant trouble, unless he could diffuse the guy. But Mack looked like he was already wired for a fight by the aggressive tone in his voice.
Cory shifted his chair so he’d have unhindered quick access to laying Mackenzie out cold if need be.
“Heard a rumor you’re working for Hank. You one of his gimped up vets?”
“Mack,” Sam growled. “That’s not very polite.”
Cory had all three of Mackenzie’s boys in sight. Especially the one hiding behind his seven o’clock.
“Actually,” Mackenzie slurred. “I’d like you to dance with me. Beautiful woman needs to be on the dance floor, and this guy obviously isn’t asking.”
“That’s because he works for me.”
“Oh, so this a business meeting?” Mackenzie nodded with a big dip of his head. “I see. And is the business going to end up with you on your back?”
Sam shook her head. “Mack, don’t be a dick. Go away.”
“Just trying to be neighborly. You won that bid fair and square, right? No extra connections?”
Sam stood. “Let’s get outta here.”
Cory watched the men’s movements as they drew a little closer. He offered Mackenzie a cool grin. “You wouldn’t be looking for a good old fashioned bar fight, would ya, Mack?” He put extra emphasis on the ‘k’ of his name.
“You fucking military guys always think you’re something.” Mackenzie’s muscled arms spread wide in an open gesture. “Everyone thanking ya for your service when you were probably peeling potatoes in some kitchen. Sucking on the tit of America after ya get out, expecting us hard working folks to pay your way.”
“That’s enough, Mack,” Sam hissed. “You have no fucking idea what they go through.”
“Oh yeah, of course you’d stick up for them. After ya made ‘em all better, did ya fuck them, too?”
Sam’s fist shot up and scored an undercut Mackenzie wasn’t prepared for. He stumbled backward with open shock on his face.
“Son of a bitch.”
Mackenzie’s boys moved in.
“Stop right there,” a loud booming voice commanded.
A man in his late thirties with early greying temples and a no bullshit expression on his face stepped up. “Mack, time you and your boys headed out. Sol doesn’t need a mess in here and by the looks of this guy, he could make a mess outta you.”
“Just talkin’, Sheriff.”
“Sure ya are. Door’s that way.”
Mack jerked his head at his buddies and they followed him out. The sheriff wore his street clothes, but he still exuded an aura of I’m the law, don’t fuck with me.
“You okay, Sam?” the sheriff asked.
“Thanks, Joe. I’m fine. Mack used to be a bully in school and it looks like he didn’t grow out of it.
The sheriff grinned. “Sheriff Joe Barron.”
“Cory McGregory. Thanks for the help.”
“How’s your momma and daddy doing, Samantha?” Sheriff Barron asked.
“They’re doing good. They love Arizona.”
“Good to hear.” He tipped his hat. “Nice to meet ya, Cory. Planning on staying around here? I heard Hank Patterson hired a new guy. I’m betting you’re him.”
“I am. Working at the Bluebell Ranch for now.”
“Hank’s boys have helped us out a lot. He’s good people, and he hires good men. Hope you stick around.”
“On the house,” Katie said, dropping a couple more beers in front of them. She patted Sheriff Barron on the back. “Yours is waiting for ya at the bar, Joe.”
“Excuse me, think I’ll go back to my beer. I’m off duty tonight. Like it to stay that way.”
“One more for the road?” Cory suggested, hoping Sam wouldn’t run off. Up until a few minutes ago, they’d been having a good time. She’d opened up a little, instead of being a closed book, and told him she intended on running the Bluebell Ranch even after Tania married her fiancé and moved to Bozeman.
Sam pulled her chair to the table and palmed her beer. “Not sure there won’t be two or even three roads if I drink this.”
Cory moved slowly, but he let his thumb gently rub her knuckles. He wanted to make sure she wasn’t injured with that powerhouse punch she’d thrown. She hadn’t broken Mackenzie’s nose, but he’d be feeling it when he sobered up.
“Nothing is broken,” she said, and slipped her hand into her lap.
“Has Ackerson always been an asshole?”
“Spoiled kid that turned into an asshole. He had the looks in school. His dad made something of their ranch, they weren’t hurting for cash. Once his dad passed away, Mack needed to step up, but he just doesn’t have ranching in his blood like his daddy did. His mom is a wonderful lady. She’s worked hard all her life and it’s pretty much her who’s keeping them afloat while Mack pretends to be a rancher.”
“Looks like he wants to get closer to you.”
“You see unicorns, too?” She paused, then said, “So what’s your real reason for arriving in Eagle Rock?”
“Hank offered me a job. Guys like me have a lot of talents, but speaking a few languages and hitting a target from 600 meters away isn’t something most employers are looking for.”
She nodded. “Evasion tactics.”
“Those, too.”
“No, I mean you’re using them now to avoid answering the question.”
“Didn’t hear one.”
She sat back in her chair and surveyed him. “The one between the lines, D-cup. Why did you le
ave?”
Cory scratched his forehead. “Everyone thinks you have to have a pivotal moment or a reason to leave.”
“I know what warriors are like. You were part of a brotherhood, and no one leaves the brotherhood without a good reason. If you don’t want to share, that’s fine.”
He leaned back, reaching into his front pants’ pocket and withdrew his wallet. They had spoken about work on the ranch, but he wasn’t expecting her to foot the tab. He’d invited her for dinner. Her eyes watched his every move. She might not have been a soldier, but she certainly noticed everything and by him throwing some bills on the table, she knew the conversation was over and reached around for her purse.
“I’ll walk you to your truck.” He pushed an arm through his jean jacket sleeve and signaled to Katie they were heading out and the money was on the table.
She nodded, then picked up a few empty glasses on her way toward them.
****
The rain had started and a spring chill clung to the air. Sam had one too many, but not enough she couldn’t drive. Lights from the grocery store and pharmacy, open until nine, streamed from the windows. Cory fell in step beside her as they walked across the street to her truck. She’d parked it under a street lamp, making it easier to insert the key, but left it hanging in the lock when she heard Mack’s voice.
“Hey, military boy. Nice to see ya got manners, walking Sammy to her truck. Should have shown me some in that bar.”
Sam turned, her heart hammering in her chest. Mack and his three buddies surrounded them. The intensity of the rain picked up, soaking their hair. Cory tried to separate himself by stepping to her right, but she vaulted in front of him. “Mack, just go home.”
“Maybe your gimped-up vet here needs you to fight more of his battles.” Mack’s arm hung at his side, a weapon clutched in his hand.
“Put the gun away, Mack. Don’t be stupid.” Strong fingers gripped her upper arms and thrust her aside.
She watched in horror, not sure whether she should run inside for help or stay where she was, as Cory and the four men shifted positions.
Cory couldn’t possibly win a fight against four of them, even if he looked like a one-man fighting machine. Rain drenched his dark hair and it shone under the street light. His rugged features morphed into a frightening expression. One she’d seen before. The one that called out to the warrior in a life or death situation. He stood tall. A force to be reckoned with.
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