Page 50 of PenPal Hero

“You and your family deserve justice, too.” She snuggled closer to him, making his expression soften.

Jackson agreed with his sister’s statement. Holt’s abduction, and the after effects of it, had been every bit as harrowing as what his sister had endured.

“And if the police succeed in drawing our captors and their associates out of the woodwork today, we’ll get that justice.” Holt’s expression, however, told a different story. Like Jackson, he was bracing himself for the worst.

They reached Town Square and were escorted by yet more K&G Security guards to an enormous white canopy. All four of their guards were dressed like ordinary wedding guests in suits and dresses.

The sun that Bonnie had been missing inside The Tank beat down on the park-like setting, making Jackson shoot a speculative look up at the sky.

One of the guards caught Jackson’s eye as she fluttered a hand at her face. “According to the forecast, it’s gonna be the hottest day on record in September.”

“Nice.” Though his primary mission was to ensure his sister’s safety today, he couldn’t resist giving the guard a sideways glance when she wasn’t looking.

He decided on the spot that she was way too cute to be a security guard. She was a petite redhead in a black cocktail dress and simple pumps. He had no doubt that the silver sequined shrug she wore over it was hiding a weapon. It was impossible to pinpoint her age beneath her heavy eye makeup, though. She could’ve been anywhere from twenty-five to thirty-five.

She abruptly stepped closer to him. “Are you checking me out, Jackson Yates?” she asked softly.

“What if I am, Miss, ah…?” He boldly met her startlingly green eyes that were searching his. “I don’t believe we’ve met before.” Her classical features were dotted with faint freckles, an unforgettable combination.

“Summer Rose.” She glanced away from him, scanning the grassy area beyond the tent.

He did the same. “Is Rose your last name?” He figured he deserved to know at least as much about her as she knew about him.

“No. It’s Gardener.”

He liked her name. He liked the woman beneath the name even more. “Any interest in catching dinner with me sometime, Miss Gardener?” He’d never asked a woman out the first time he’d met her, but the tension crackling between them emboldened him.

“I’ve brought bigger men than you to their knees for asking that same question,” she retorted.

“Yet I’m still standing.” He waggled his eyebrows playfully at her from beneath his Stetson. He was neither short nor scrawny. She was probably half his body weight.

“I was told you’re off limits today.” She tossed her head, making the red ringlets around her temples and cheeks dance. “Can’t so much as bust your kneecaps since you’re helping us monitor our targets.”

“My kneecaps are grateful.” He dipped his head over hers. “Lemme know if you change your mind about dinner. Something tells me you already have my number. And the make and model of my truck. And my address.” He was enjoying teasing her. “Probably even the color of my favorite socks.”

“Is it just me?” She tipped her face up to his again. “Because you strike me as sorely out of practice on your pickup lines.”

Instead of being offended, he winked at her. “If I were you, I’d take it as a compliment.” He felt no urge to apologize for failing to be some smooth-talking, dime-a-dozen playboy. If that’s what she was looking for, he’d pegged her wrong.

Sirens sounded in the distance, delaying her response. Seconds later, a firetruck whizzed past Town Square.

Jackson’s gaze narrowed on the long red truck and the patrol car following closely behind it. An ambulance blew by next.

Summer Rose tapped her earpiece and started speaking in a low voice. “Status on the emergency vehicles?” Whatever she heard made her lips tighten.

“What’s going on?” Jackson demanded tersely.

“There’s a fire in an old, rundown warehouse a few streets over.” She spoke in a clipped tone.

Jackson shared her concern. He could think of only one old, rundown warehouse this close to Town Square. It had to be the one that the out-of-town investor had maneuvered Mr. Blackstone out of. It didn’t feel like a coincidence that it was now going up in flames.

He lost track of Summer Rose as the wedding party assembled. The hired string quartet played the opening notes of the Wedding March.

Holt escorted Bonnie down the aisle, gazing down at her with his heart in his eyes. It was clear to anyone who was watching them that he was madly in love with her.

Alice walked down the aisle next, clinging to her father’s arm. Though she and Zayden had tried their hardest to keep the event small and cozy, so many guests were packed beneath the canopy that several were forced to remain standing behind the wooden folding chairs in the back.

Unfortunately, the standing guests hampered Jackson’s view of what was happening beneath the white rose trellis at the front of the tent. He had to elbow his way past a few of the guests to get his eyeballs back on Bonnie.

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