Page 100 of Home Town Knight

“From the way you told it before, I thought it was somethingelseof his that’s magic.”

She grinned wickedly. “Suppose you’ve got me there.”

Outside, Owen and Trace were setting up a makeshift barfor mixing tropical drinks. Vivian and Toby—Scarlett’s kids—arranged a tower of cupcakes on the food table.

Cece hurried over to me balancing a drink with an umbrella in her two small hands. “Hi Gen! Owen said to bring this to you. He says it’smy tie.” Her nose wrinkled. “That doesn’t make sense, but maybe he was being silly.”

“A Mai Tai?”

“That’s what I said.”

“You’re right. Owen is very silly. He probably shouldn’t have made you carry it either.” This was the drink Tucker and Ellis had ordered at the Alpine. All cops had a streak of black humor, and Owen was showing his. I took the drink and shook my head at him. He winked back.

“Are you excited about tomorrow?” I asked Cece.

Diane’s cousin was on his way from Florida and would arrive tomorrow morning to load up their belongings for their move southeast. Diane’s abusive ex hadn’t found them, and I’d had the chance to get to know them better over the last few weeks here. Cece was a sweet, resilient girl, and Diane was a great mom. A brave woman. I was hopeful for their new beginning. But it was still hard to see them go.

Cece glanced around. Fairy lights were strung over the patio, and someone had hung brightly colored paper flowers as decorations. “I like it here,” she said. “I have lots of friends at Last Refuge, and I’ll miss them. But my mom loves me, and she’d miss me if I didn’t come with her to Florida, so that’s where I belong.” She shrugged.

“That’s very wise of you.”

The party’s theme was unlikely given the temperatures, but it was a huge success. Cece bounced around bringing smiles to everyone. She seemed especially enamored with the Protectors. Whenever Aiden, Trace, or River spoke to her, she giggled and blushed. Same with Lynx, who was on an extended stay inHartley. The gruff bounty hunter had even worn a Hawaiian shirt and shorts, which showed the prosthetic below his right knee. Cece had a lot of questions about that.

And of course, Owen. Classically handsome as an old-time Western star in his cowboy hat, jeans, and canvas jacket. Every time I saw him across the patio, it got a little harder to breathe.

A lot of thoughts were swirling around in my head tonight. About good friends and new places. WhereImight belong.

River came over and clinked his Mai Tai glass with mine. “This an okay time to chat? I’ve got something I wanted to share in person.”

“Oh? Is it about…” I hesitated, not wanting to say the wordStillwaterhere. I didn’t want to taint the evening, and I’d thought we weren’t working tonight.

“It’s not that. Nothing bad.”

I saw Owen watching as River and I stepped inside the building. It was quiet in here. Everyone else was outside. “What’s up?” I asked.

“Remember a few weeks ago, before things really blew up, and I said I’d pass on your name to some journalists I know? One of them is my younger brother, Ross. He’s a foreign correspondent in Korea for a major media group.” River told me the name of the company, which I knew well and respected. They owned several big-name newspapers. “He passed on your articles and credentials to the right people, and you’re going to get a call on Monday. They want you in DC next week for some interviews. You’ll get all the details there. I think you’ll be happy though.”

I was floored. Beyond shocked. “DC? Like Washington? That DC?”

He grinned. “That’s the one. And this is the paper.” Hepulled up the official website on his phone, and my knees weakened. How could this be real?

“Ross told me the interview is mostly a formality. They’re impressed. They want to give you a shot.”

“But I…this is so…”

“It’s a lot to think about. If you’re concerned I pulled strings unfairly, I promise I didn’t. Ross isn’t the type to do his big bro any favors, believe me. You earned this with your hard work. Me vouching for your integrity and general badassness didn’t hurt. But that wouldn’t have been enough on its own. They know you’re working on a big story independently, but not the details, so you decide how much to share about Stillwater. I’ll keep working with you on it.”

“What about Owen?” I stammered.

River’s head tilted. “Only you can answer that. I did mention it to him a few minutes ago, so he has a heads-up. You should talk to him.”

Ireallyneeded to talk to him. But what was I going to say? “Thank you, Riv. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful. I’m not. This is incredible. It’s just…”

“Like I said, a lot to think about.” He lifted his glass.

I jumped forward and gave him a hug. Then went outside to find Owen.

He was off to the side, staring into his longneck bottle, but he grinned broadly when he saw me. “I hear congratulations are in order.” He opened his arms, and I snuggled into his warmth. The only place I’d wanted to be for the last few weeks.

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