Page 138 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

“About the relationship thing … I can’t get involved with anyone right now. Not while this thing with Hugh’s hanging over me. Can you understand that?”

He looked sideways, saw the pleading in her eyes, then put his focus back on the road. “Yeah,” he finally said. “I understand. But you have to understand that the goal is to make everyone in Birchwood Springs believe you’re my girlfriend. So, if I put my arm around you … hold your hand … or even kiss you … you can’t freak out.” He didn’t have to look at her to know she was mortified. She really was fun to tease. Although he was serious. The best way to keep her safe was to make everyone believe they were a couple. Of course, he’d make sure to take every opportunity to kiss her.

“Isn’t there some other cover we can come up with? Maybe we’re work colleagues?”

“Before I took this job, I was a bouncer at a bar,” he said matter-of-factly. “My family knows that’s what I was doing. Even if you pretended to be a server at the bar, there’s no reason we would travel together, work-wise.” He had her and they both knew it.

“Fine,” she huffed. “But whatever happens between us will be just for show. You got that?”

“Yep. Loud and clear.” He reached for her hand. She snatched it away before he could link his fingers through hers.

“What’re you doing?” she demanded.

He grinned. “Practicing.”

“Ha! You really are a menace.”

He winked. “That’s what they tell me.”

Her eyes narrowed, but she couldn’t stop a smile from spreading over her lips.

That was a good sign. A good sign, indeed. The iceberg was thawing.

It was dark by the time they drove into Birchwood Springs. Corbin looked over at Delaney who was sleeping peacefully, her head resting against the back of the seat. He fought the urge to run his fingers along the curve of her delicate jawline. Interesting that he would feel so attached to Delaney after such a short period of time. There had been a long string of women who’d come and gone in Corbin’s life, but no one he was super attached to … until now. Ironic that the one girl Corbin felt a connection with was determined to keep him at arm’s length. He was going to ham up the boyfriend thing for all it was worth andhope that Delaney would come around. She’d already gotten in his head and he had no intention of getting her out. One thing Corbin knew how to do was go after what he wanted, despite all obstacles. There’d be no tapping that brass bell on this one. He was in for the long haul.

Corbin rubbed a hand across his neck and aching shoulders. He was ready to get out and stretch his legs.Too much time behind the wheel.Thankfully, the weather had been mostly clear, only a few patches of snow flurries along the way. It was the length of the drive that had gotten to him. They’d only stopped long enough to grab something to eat and use the restroom.

Delaney could tell Corbin was getting tired and had offered to drive, but he insisted that he was fine. He wanted to stay behind the wheel in case they had to make a break for it. Luckily, that hadn’t been necessary. Sutton’s plan appeared to be working like a charm. Sutton called a couple of hours ago, telling them that Hugh had taken the bait and was on his way to Northern Cal. Sutton had even gone so far as to get a double to pose as Delaney in a heavily-guarded safe house. His thoughts went to Anton. Sutton interrogated him, but sadly, Anton knew very little about the inner-workings of Hugh’s operation.

Corbin’s stomach tightened as they passed his grandmother’s care center. He couldn’t stand the thought of her being alone in that cold, sterile building. For years, Pops had tried to manage her illness, but Gram kept getting out of the house.

They moved through the downtown district, past the neat rows of Western-style buildings flanking both sides of the road. Birchwood Springs was known for two things—Bear Claw Ski Resort and Birchwood Hot Springs located a quarter mile outside the town district. He smiled thinking how he wouldn’t mind getting Delaney all to himself in the hot springs.

He glanced up to where the tall mountain sat in the distance. There was no more than a hint of a shadow of it in the darkness, but his mind filled in the details. In the daylight, the glistening snow looked like a thick layer of smooth icing poured over the entirety, the base of the mountain hugging Birchwood Springs like a mother embracing her child.

Coming home always evoked conflicting emotions. Corbin was fond of this place and yet, he’d been so angry as a youth that he was often in trouble with the law for silly things—soaping up the fountain in front of the bank, driving too fast, sneaking into the ski resort without paying. Sheriff Cliff Hendricks would agree wholeheartedly with Delaney describing Corbin as a menace. The sheriff had always hated him like he had some personal vendetta to make sure Corbin always stayed at the bottom. Corbin felt like Birchwood Springs was the best place to keep Delaney safe, otherwise he wouldn’t have come.

Ten minutes later, Corbin pulled into the driveway of Pops’ cabin, the place where Corbin grew up. The property consisted of a dozen get-away cabins Pops rented to tourists who visited the ski resort and hot springs. Pops lived in one of them year-round. Even during what was considered “peak season” Birchwood Springs was a sleepy little town. It was even more secluded here on Pops’ property, making it an ideal place to bring Delaney.

Delaney sat up in her seat and rubbed her eyes. “Sorry I fell asleep.” She suppressed a yawn.

“I’m glad you got some rest.”

She looked around, trying to come fully awake. “Where are we?”

“Birchwood Springs … my grandfather’s cabins, to be exact. We’ll go in. I’ll introduce you to him and my sister. We’ll grab a key to the cabin where we’ll be staying.” He grinned. “Remember, we’re a couple, so pretend you like me.” He wasn’t about to tell her that Pops knew the truth.

She rolled her eyes, her voice going extra twangy. “Yeah, yeah. I got it. Don’t worry. I’ll put on a convincing performance, sugar.”

“All right, sweet cheeks, let’s do it.” He could hardly say the words without laughing, especially when he saw the horrified look on her face.

“Sweet cheeks? Seriously? That’s a little over the top.”

He pursed his lips. “You’re right. Too much.Babe. How about that?”

She sighed. “I guessbabewill have to do.”

“Don’t touch that door,” he said when she reached for the handle.

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