Page 20 of Pick Your Spot

Knowing Knox was former military didn’t surprise her. It explained his awareness of his surroundings and his calm and confident manner. The man trusted his brain and his body to keep himself and others safe.

In the truck on the way to town, he’d mentioned he’d quit a bodyguard job to come check out the farm. She’d been shocked that he would quit. He’d laughed and said he could always find another job but he’d never regret the choice to check out what had been important to the great-uncle he’d never met.

Family was hugely important to Knox. She was learning his army friends were another kind of family.

People arrived, and the names and faces blurred together. Army names and real names. Oz. Scooby. Falcon. Slick. Kimi. Isla. Addison. And Branna, who ran the Saloon.

Two seats remained empty, so she wasn’t surprised when the door opened again. Another couple entered holding hands.

Troy stood to greet them. “Marcus. Elina. I’d like you to meet another army friend of mine from overseas. He was part of the team we worked with after Arrow got injured. Knox, also known as Annie, meet Arrow and Elina.”

The woman’s beautiful face paled, and she stopped. “Annie?” Her voice was a strangled whisper.

Marcus immediately wrapped an arm around her waist, and he looked sharply from her to Knox. “You’re Annie?”

Knox had stopped as well. “You’re the woman from the cave. The one who alerted us that there were hostages. You’re okay.”

She nodded, and tears ran down her face. Then she walked forward and hugged Knox. The man named Arrow blinked away tears and moved forward to shake Knox’s hand. “Thank you. Anything you need. Any time, any place, it’s yours. Anything.”

Talk erupted around the table, and eventually, Thea got most of the story. Elina had been a teacher overseas and had been captured by insurgents. She’d been kidnapped and held captive for over a week. When Knox’s team had arrived, she’d called out to let them know where she was, all despite beatings and lack of food and drink.

For the next hour, stories and conversation flew around the table. Thea struggled to keep up and knew she missed a lot. The people around her tried to include her in the conversation but it was easier to just listen and learn the names and faces.

It was an impressive group of people. Each one was thriving in their careers with lots of plans for the future. Military heroes. An author and comic strip artist. People rescuing animals, growing businesses, and people balancing jobs and family successfully.

She was making compost by hand. Hiding in a new state because Asshole Andy had stolen credit for her work and trashed her reputation. She might be knowledgeable and passionate about soil and farming but these people made her seem like a slug. Actually, it was Andy who made her feel like a slug. These people were kind and welcoming.

Thea gripped her emotions and shoved them to the back of her mind. This wasn’t the time to dwell on the past. She returned her focus to the people around her and found Knox watching her with concern. She smiled at him, hoping to convey she was fine, even if that wasn’t the truth.

He reached over and squeezed her hand with a soft smile. She’d bet her cabin that he saw more than she wanted him to see. But she couldn’t bring herself to regret it. Trusting people didn’t come easily, but she trusted Knox. Maybe one day she’d learn to trust herself again.

She’d start by working on her compost and doing her best to help Knox and his family realize that the apple orchard was a great investment and an even better place to live.

She turned her focus to getting to know Knox and his friends better. They were great people, and she’d love to count them all as her own friends one day.

Garrett and Kimi stood and said they needed to get back to their animals. The others agreed it was time to get back to work and everyone stood.

When Thea pulled out her wallet there were protests around the table. She frowned, and Knox put his hand over hers to stop her. A chemical zip ran up her arm and set her system to tingling.

His eyes widened as if he felt the same thing. “Not a chance, Thea. This is my treat.”

From across the table, Elina laughed. “Not a chance, Annie. This is all my treat. You saved my life and gave me a chance to find my place in the world. Buying you both lunch is the very least I can do.”

The police chief put his arm around the comic strip artist. “Agreed. We’ve got this. We’re so glad to meet you and in some small way to thank you.”

Then the pair hugged Knox hard and Thea had to swallow the tears at the raw emotion in the room.

Eventually they were on their way and heading to Phail Phoods to pick up their supplies. Troy came with them and introduced Knox to his cousin Fiona, who owned the store. Fiona was always sweet and helpful when Thea shopped in the store. This time was no exception.

Thea filled a cooler and a couple of cloth bags with her food. She didn’t know when she’d be able to get back, so she bought more than usual and stocked up on non-perishables.

When they were in the truck, Knox turned to her. “Anything else you need or want before we head home?”

She shook her head with a smile. Hearing Knox call the farm home filled her with warmth and hope.

They drove for a few minutes in comfortable silence. They passed the farm where Thea now knew Kimi and Garrett ran an animal therapy center and petting farm. Then the brewery and fields of hops run by Troy’s team.

Knox grinned. “This is a spectacular area. I can’t believe the amount of diverse businesses in such a small town. We’ll have to check out the petting farm one day. Have you already been?”

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