Page 28 of Hard Knock Hero

He showed it to me. He had his finger partly over the wordbitch, like he was trying to hide it from me. Lovely message. As if the broken window hadn’t been enough.

I slowly surveyed the room. Broken glass was everywhere, and frigid air pumped through the jagged hole. An hour ago, we’d been cleaning up after hosting dinner, and I’d been awash with optimism and good feelings. Like things were really going to work out for me for once. But that was how they got you, wasn’t it? Waiting until you’d lowered your guard again, and then,boom.

I was so sick of getting knocked down.

The sheriff’s deputies arrived, followed soon by Owen himself. I sleepwalked through explaining what had happened. Aiden filled in his part. Somehow, he made running into the street after potentially armed men sound reasonable. But I knew if I asked him about it, he’d say the same thing he did the first night we met. He had done it because hewanted to.

That was the thing about Aiden. Who could say what was going through that mind of his. Why he was sticking around. Why he cared enough to protect me. I just knew thathe did. Maybe that was the craziest thing of all. I had no idea what he would do next, but I still trusted him.

I’d known him for one day. But I trusted him.

The deputies found some pieces of plywood to cover up the hole in the window. A few neighbors had also wandered over to investigate the noise, and they joined in, nailing the plywood into place. Owen told them he was investigating and shooed them away when they tried to ask more questions. But Owen was simmering with a quiet but palpable fury. I knew that Aiden had sent him the video he’d taken of the Rigsbys’ truck.

After the plywood was in place and we’d nearly finished sweeping up broken glass, Owen turned to me. “It was the Rigsby brothers who did this. Maybe not Chester, but definitely Theo and possibly Mitch. I’m going to make sure someone is held accountable for it.”

Aiden stood behind Owen, resting an arm on top of the broom handle as he eavesdropped.

“Because you have video evidence this time? We both know my word alone is never good enough,” I said.

Owen frowned. “I hate that as much as you. I’ve always believed you, Jessi. That’s never been the issue, and you know it.”

But things aren’t always fair. And justice doesn’t always work the way it’s supposed to. He didn’t need to say it because I knew it already. That was the reason I often hadn’t bothered to report the Rigsby brothers’ harassment at all. With Jeremy, the video evidence and the impartial witness had been enough, but I didn’t usually have so much to back me up.

The sheriff fitted his cowboy hat back on his head and said goodnight. Finally, the diner was quiet again. I was beyond exhausted. I didn’t even know if I’d be able to open tomorrow, much less have the energy to run this place.

I sank into one of the booths. “This is my mess. Not yours. I’m grateful for everything you’ve done to help me. Pretending to be my brother and putting on the dinner tonight. It’s okay if you’re ready to bow out.”

Aiden still leaned against the broom handle. “Do you want me to leave?” As usual, his voice didn’t betray much. He’d asked matter-of-factly, as if he didn’t even care about the answer. But for some reason, hedidcare what happened to me.

“I don’t want you to get hurt,” I said firmly.

“I haven’t yet.”

“But youcould. That would be on me.” It was one thing to ask my real brother to take the risk, but this man didn’t truly know me. It wasn’t right for me to put this responsibility on him.

Aiden set the broom aside. He lowered himself onto the seat across from me. Rested his elbows on the table between us. “Why do you want to stay in Hartley? You said you would stand your ground, and I admire the hell out of that. In my mind, that’s reason enough for you to stay. But I suspect there’s more to it for you.” His mouth quirked. “Simply because you’re not as contrarian as me. Though you come close at times.”

I returned his subtle smile. I was tired, and he’d just asked a big question. But Aiden genuinely seemed to want to know.

How could I explain what I felt about Hartley? Describe the way this place had sunk into my soul, even though I’d started out a stranger just over two years ago?

“From the first day that Jeremy and I pulled into this town, I loved it. The mountains and the canyon. The aspens and the evergreens. The architecture of the buildings and the history and the local stories. The kindness of a lot of the people here, if not all. I fell head over heels.” I glanced at the building around me. “And this diner, too. When I moved into town, the previous owner was ready to retire, and it seemed like the stars aligned perfectly to make this place mine. What happened with Jeremy was a roadblock, but I didn’t let it stop me. If I give this place up and leave, then I’m giving up on every dream I’ve ever fought for.” My voice broke. I swiped at my eyes. “And I just can’t.”

Aiden held my gaze a moment longer. “Makes perfect sense to me.”

His hand was on the table, close to mine but not touching. I moved my hand so our pinkies brushed. We sat like that for a while. Neither of us spoke. The tightness in my chest loosened, bit by bit.

Finally, he pushed up to standing, stepping out of the booth. “You should get ready for bed. It’s been a long day. I can stay up a bit longer to keep an eye on things.”

Aiden stretched his arms over his head. And suddenly, I had my eye on some things as well.

I was trying and failing not to notice the sliver of skin between the waistband of his jeans and the edge of his long-sleeved tee. Just like I’d tried not to notice the beads of water on his bare shoulders and chest earlier after his shower.

I’d had no romantic inclinations of any kind since what had happened with Jeremy. Aiden was the first guy I had noticedthat wayin the last few years, and I was supposed to be related to him. Keeping a respectful distance seemed like the wisest course.

“I’ll grab your blankets, then. And your duffel.” I looked around at the floor. We’d gotten most of the glass, but there were probably stray bits around. Plus the dirt that had blown in through the window. “Wait, you can’t sleep on this floor. It’s a mess.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m not picky.”

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