by Elle James
But Jake…
Now here was a quiet man with eyes that had seen pain. What kind of pain, RJ couldn’t imagine.
As a bartender, she’d listened to so many men and women pour out their hearts, as if she were the therapist like her friend Emily. She’d listened, realizing that, sometimes, that was all the customers needed.
Staring into Jake’s dark, haunted eyes, she’d gladly listen to his story. Her curiosity was piqued by the big guy who favored his left leg. What was his story? What had been the source of his injury? Did he have a woman waiting for him somewhere?
That last thought hit her square in the chest. No. She wasn’t interested in Jake Cogburn. Just because he’d saved her life didn’t mean she should hero-worship him.
“RJ, I know you can handle any of the weapons we have on the ranch,” Gunny was saying, bringing her back out of her thoughts about Jake. “But you don’t have anyone to keep an eye on you. You’re always going. You don’t have time to look over your shoulder.”
“It’s my life,” she said. Not with regret or disgust. Just the facts. “I don’t have time to slow down, either.”
“Then you agree,” her father said, a smile teasing the corners of his mouth.
Her eyes narrowed. “Agree to what?”
“That you need a bodyguard.”
“What?” She stepped back. “No. I don’t agree to any such thing. And we don’t have the money to hire one, anyway.”
“You don’t have to hire one,” Kujo said. “Jake is available, and his first assignment as a new member of the Brotherhood Protectors Colorado team, will be to protect you until they can find the guy who murdered Henderson.”
“Whoa!” RJ held up both hands. “I don’t need a bodyguard. And I’m sure Mr. Cogburn has better things to do than babysit a grown woman who doesn’t need a shadow following her around. Besides, I have too much to do. He’d be in the way.”
Gunny slapped his palm on the bar. “He’s got the job.” Her father turned to Jake. “Thank you. I’d follow her around, but I’m not as young as I used to be, and I’ve got all the chores she isn’t doing to get done. This place takes a lot of upkeep.”
“We’ll work out the details over those steaks.” Kujo glanced around the bar. “Looks like the sheriff and state police are releasing the customers to go home.”
Still hot about being forced to accept a bodyguard’s protection, RJ spun and went back to work, scrubbing counters, cleaning glassware and sweeping the room with JoJo’s assistance.
JoJo brought her more empty cups and mugs and set them on the counter. “Are you up to the Pioneer Days events next weekend,” JoJo asked.
RJ frowned, her hand stopping the wiping motion she’d employed on the shiny wooden bar. “Of course. Why shouldn’t I be?”
“Well, after nearly being killed tonight, I thought you might want to pass on being Madame LaBelle for the ghost town show.”
“Oher than wearing a dress, there’s nothing keeping me from performing my part. Although how you talked me into it, I’ll never know.”
“You’ll be great. And you’re the only woman I know who can convincingly pull off a gunfight in a dress.”
“I don’t know about that.”
“At the very least, no one will recognize you in anything other than jeans.” JoJo tilted her head. “When was the last time you wore a dress or a skirt?” JoJo nodded her head toward the jean skirt RJ wore. “By the way, you’ve got great legs. You should wear dresses more often.”
RJ tugged at the skirt. “I don’t like wearing girlie clothes.”
JoJo laughed. “Why? Afraid someone might mistake you for being female?”
“I’m more afraid they’ll think I can’t take care of myself.” She shot an angry glance toward the table Kujo and Jake had moved to. “Why can’t people leave things the way they are?”
JoJo frowned. “I get the feeling we’re not talking about dresses and skirts anymore.” She leaned across the counter and touched RJ’s arm. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” RJ bit out. “Not a damned thing.”
“Seriously, you look like you’re ready to bite someone’s head off.” JoJo glanced around. “Who’s got your panties in a wad? I’ll take care of him for you.”
RJ’s gaze automatically went to Jake.
The man’s gaze met hers. Had he been watching her all along? Was he already performing his role as a bodyguard?
“Is it Jake?” JoJo’s hands balled into fists. “Let me at him.” She abandoned her tray and stalked across the room, plopping into the chair beside the man who’d saved RJ’s life and was now going to make it miserable by following her around like a lost puppy.
RJ glanced down at Striker, sitting on the floor beside her. “I already have a lost puppy. I don’t need another one following me around, do I?” She ruffled Striker’s ears. “You’re the only boy I need in my life.” Her glance shot to Jake, and warmth spread throughout her body. Why? She hadn’t a clue.
Her lips quirked upward as JoJo leaned into the man, her face fierce, her fists still clenched. “Go get ’em, JoJo,” she whispered. What she wouldn’t give to be a fly on that table and hear her friend take the man down a notch or two.
Forcing her gaze away from the table where her bodyguard and best friend sat, RJ went back to work. As customers were screened by the police and left, tables emptied. RJ helped Gunny stack chairs upside down on tabletops. Soon, the place was empty but for Gunny, Kujo, Jake, RJ and JoJo.
Deputy Gathright entered through the front door of the bar and crossed to where Gunny stood.
RJ’s father propped his broom against the bar and held out his hand. “Deputy, thank you for coming and getting the state police involved.”
“We’re looking for the perpetrator,” Gathright said. “As soon as we hear anything, we’ll be in touch. In the meantime, keep an ear open and your eyes peeled. I’d hate to get another call and this time have it be you or your daughter.”
“We’re taking care of it,” Gunny assured the deputy.
“Good. We’re out of here. They’ve loaded the victim into the ambulance and are taking him to the county morgue. The state police have already left. I hope your night gets better.” He shook hands with Gunny, tipped his hat toward RJ and JoJo and left.
RJ hurried after him. “Ray,” she called out.
The deputy stopped and turned. “Ma’am?”
“Could you follow JoJo home?” RJ asked. “I don’t want anything to happen to her.”
“I’ll be all right,” JoJo said, slinging her purse over her shoulder. “But he can follow me into Fool’s Gold.”
Ray nodded and held the door for JoJo.
RJ’s friend paused in front of her. “For the record, I’m glad Jake’s going to be your bodyguard. He’s all right. Give him a chance. He could surely use it.”
Before RJ could protest, JoJo was out the door, following the deputy to her vehicle.
RJ finished with the mopping and carried the bucket and mop to the back door.
Juggling the two items into one hand, she reached out to open the back door.
Before she could reach for the doorknob, another hand slipped around her and opened the door for her. “Let me go first,” a deep, familiar voice said.
Jake eased past her, his shoulders bumping against hers, sending shock waves of awareness through her body.
She stood for a moment, trying and failing at getting a grip on the sensations contact with the man inspired.
As she hesitated, Striker wove between her legs and leaped off the back steps. He sniffed Jake’s leg then sat beside the man, looking up at her expectantly.
“Traitor.” Could she put up with Jake shadowing her every move? And for how long?
“Oh, hell no,” she murmured.
Chapter 4
Jake heard her muttered words and fought the first grin he could remember since he’d learned he’d lost his leg.
He liked that she was strong and knew her own mind.
But this woman’s stubborn independence might get her killed…if he let it happen.
“Sorry,” he murmured. “You’re not dying on my watch.”
“I’m not dying anytime soon.” She hung the mop on a hook outside the back door. For a moment, she stood on the top step, her chin held high, her hair falling in soft waves around her shoulders.
A light breeze lifted the curls, giving her the appearance of an avenging angel.
Jake’s groin tightened. The woman was tough, yet utterly feminine. However, if he said that out loud, she’d probably take offense.
Her lips pursed. “I’m not going to shake you, am I?”
He crossed his arms over his chest and shook his head. “You heard Gunny. I’ve been hired to protect you.”
“And I’m telling you. I don’t need protection.”
“You did earlier this evening,” he pointed out.
“I wasn’t expecting to be attacked.”
“You can’t be on guard at all times. Even on the SEAL team, we had each other’s backs. No man, or woman, has eyes in the back of his or her head.”
“You were a Navy SEAL?” RJ descended the porch steps to the ground and looked up into his eyes.
His chest tightened. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Why did you leave the Navy?”
“Wasn’t my choice,” he bit out.
Her eyes narrowed, and she studied him in the light cast by the yellow bulb over the back porch.
She didn’t need to know the circumstances of his forced retirement. All she needed to know was that he could do the job.
Finally, she sighed. “I don’t like being followed.”
“I’m not all that sure I’ll like dogging your footsteps. But this is my job, now, and I’m going to do it, whether you like it or not.” He cocked an eyebrow, inviting her to disagree.
“Fine.” She lifted her chin. “I’m not slowing down for you to keep up.”
His jaw hardened. Jake had never been the one to hold up the team. He certainly wouldn’t hold up this female. “I don’t expect you to slow down for me. I’ll keep up.”
“Have you ever been on a horse?” she asked.
His eyes narrowed. “A few times, why?”
“I’m leading a trail ride tomorrow. I won’t have time to saddle your horse or teach you how to ride. I’ll have my hands full with ranch guests.”
“You won’t have to take care of me. I’ll manage on my own.” God, he hoped he could.
Since losing his leg, he hadn’t been in a saddle. Growing up, he’d had a friend whose family had a small ranch in Cañon City. They’d gone there on weekends to ride and explore the foothills.
That had been a long time ago. Surely, riding a horse was like riding a bicycle. Once you learned how, you just knew.
The big difference was that he now had a prosthetic device in place of a foot and lower leg. He wasn’t entirely sure how he’d mount the horse once he got it saddled. He’d have to get out to the barn that night or early the next morning to practice. “What time is the trail ride?”
“Ten o’clock. I have six guests riding with us.”
He nodded. “And me. I’m coming with you.”
She shrugged. “Suit yourself.” She tipped her head toward the lodge. “Has Gunny shown you and your partner to your rooms?”
He shook his head. “No. We were busy looking over the lodge facilities and the barn when I came back to the barn for a couple of beers.”
“Remind me to stock the lodge refrigerator,” she said. “I usually have some beer there for the guests.”
“It’s a good thing there weren’t any today.” He couldn’t imagine what would’ve happened if he hadn’t wanted that beer, and if there had been some in the refrigerator. Having lost one person to the attacker was bad enough. If RJ had died because of her attacker…
Jake had wallowed far too long in his own self-pity. He’d lost his leg. Not his life. It was time he pulled himself up by his bootstraps and got on with the business of living.
So, he wasn’t with his Navy SEAL team anymore. He was needed here on the Lost Valley Ranch. RJ might not think so, but she needed someone to have her back, to be there in case the killer returned to make sure she didn’t remember his face.
The back door to the bar opened. “All done inside and locked up,” Gunny announced. “Didn’t like closing up early, but now, we can get to those steaks.”
Kujo stepped around Gunny and joined Jake and RJ on the ground below the steps.
Gunny locked the back door, and the four of them walked across the grass to the lodge.
Inside, several guests were in the great room enjoying a card game. They asked about the emergency vehicles and were shocked at what Gunny told them.
“Anyone need some coffee, tea or hot cocoa?” RJ asked, hoping to calm the guests.
The group answered with their choices, and RJ hurried to the kitchen to accommodate them. Her dog followed as if he was used to helping. The animal walked with a limp. Upon closer inspection, Jake notice Striker was missing a foot.
They had something in common. The thought gave Jake something to think about.
Jake trailed behind the pair, pushing through the swinging door to find RJ at the refrigerator and her dog lying on a cushion beside a small kitchen table.
“If you’re going to follow me around, make yourself useful.” RJ pointed to the coffee pot. “You can start a pot of fresh coffee while I get those steaks out of the refrigerator and prepped for the oven.”
“Aye, aye!” With her directions to the filters and coffee grounds, he managed to load the coffeemaker and get the water percolating.
“Some of them wanted hot cocoa,” he noted. “Point, and I’ll prepare.”
RJ straightened from grabbing four large potatoes out of a bin near the sink and motioned with her elbow to the cabinet above the coffeemaker. “The cocoa is in the cabinet in front of you. Mugs are in the one next to it. There’s a tray on the counter behind you.”
RJ poked holes in the potatoes and placed them in the microwave. “Don’t judge me.”
“For putting potatoes in the microwave?” He shook his head. “Takes too long in the oven when you’re in a hurry.”
“You cook much?”
He lifted a shoulder. “Enough to know how to bake a potato in the microwave.”
While he filled cups with hot water from the teapot on the stove and mixed in the cocoa powder, RJ cut up lettuce, tomatoes and onions into a salad and laid out plates.
When the coffee was finished brewing, Jake poured it into the waiting mugs and set the coffee and the hot cocoa on the tray, added a small pitcher of cream, spoons and a bowl of sugar. “If you’ll open the door, I’ll carry this out.”
RJ rinsed her hands in the sink, dried them and pushed through the swinging kitchen door, holding it open with her hip as Jake walked through.
The group at the card table gave a happy cheer.
RJ helped Jake serve the drinks and returned with him to the kitchen.
Gunny was there, placing the steaks on a broiler. “I’ve got this if you want to set the table. And you might want to show Jake and Kujo where they’ll be staying tonight.”
RJ nodded. “Check the potatoes in the microwave. I’ll be back in a minute.” She grabbed plates and silverware and slowed as she passed Jake. “Grab the salad and follow me.”
The woman knew how to give orders.
Jake didn’t have a problem following them. He scooped up the bowl with the salad and the bottles of dressing she’d set beside it and followed her and her ever-present dog through to the dining room.
Within seconds, she had the plates and silverware laid out.
“We have a few minutes before the steaks will be done. I can show you where you and your partner can sleep.”
Jake followed her back through the great room to the staircase.
Kujo entered the front door, carrying Jake’s duffel bag and one of his own.
“Good timing,�
�� RJ said. “If you’ll come with me, I’ll show you to your rooms.” Without waiting, she climbed the stairs, her Malinois beside her.
Jake took his bag from Kujo and slung it over his shoulder.
Kujo followed RJ up the stairs, and Jake brought up the rear, doing his best not to give any indication that he was different. It wasn’t easy, but he climbed the stairs almost as smoothly as Kujo and RJ. The prosthesis rubbing against his stump had begun to hurt, but he didn’t let it show.
Ahead of him, RJ turned a knob and pushed open a door. “This room has an adjoining bathroom. You’ll find fresh towels in a basket by the shower.”
Kujo entered and set his bag on a chair in the corner.
RJ continued down the hall and opened the next door. “Sorry, but this room shares the bathroom across the hall.”
Jake entered the room and dropped his bag on the floor. When he turned, he found RJ watching him, her gaze on his leg.
He stiffened and waited for her to say something about his limp. When she didn’t, he let go of the breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding.
RJ nodded toward the dresser. “There are towels in the top drawer. If you need any shaving cream or a spare toothbrush, there’s some in a basket in the bathroom. You can help yourself.”
“Thank you. I brought my own.”
“The steaks should be ready soon. Don’t be long.”
“I’ll go down with Miss Tate. If you’d like to wash up,” Kujo said from the hallway.
Jake nodded. “Thanks. I’ll be down shortly.”
When RJ and Kujo left, Jake carried his bag to the bathroom across the hall. He found his electric clippers, toothbrush and a set of relatively clean clothes. Stripping out of the Led Zeppelin T-shirt, he sat on the side of the bathtub and slipped out of his prosthetic, and then his jeans.
When he pushed to his foot, he glanced at the mirror, shocked at the scruffy man staring back at him. Damn he needed a haircut, shower and shave. The haircut would have to wait. If he hurried, he could take care of the rest before he returned to the dining room.
Jake set his clippers on four and ran it across his heavy beard, taking it down to a little more than a shadow. As a SEAL, he’d always worn a beard, unless the mission called for a clean shave. Within minutes, he had his beard trimmed and neat. He couldn’t do much about his hair until he made it to a barber.