Page 104 of Home Town Knight

“Come here.” Gen pulled me into the room and shut the door. I dropped my bag onto the ground. And then she jumped into my arms, smiling as she kissed me, knocking my hat askew. Not a bad welcome. This was encouraging.

After leaving Last Refuge yesterday, my head had been spinning. But I’d known what I had to do. The risk I had to take. I’d set out first thing this morning, knowing when her flight would land and anticipating how long it would take her to reach this hotel in downtown Denver to check in. The damn valet was going to cost meforty dollars, which should’ve been criminal.

I kind of hated coming to the city. The noise, congestion, pollution. Give me the mountain air, the quiet, and the smell of pine. I’d always been a small-town boy at heart. I’d seen enough of the world as a Marine to know that about myself.

But I was going to have to get used to this. A lot more than this, in fact.

For Gen, it was all worth it.

I set her down and took her hand, removing my hat with the other. “I’m glad I caught you. I thought about calling on my way, but…”

“But I didn’t tell you I was coming either.” She glanced down sheepishly. “River?”

“Yep. You had a lot going on with the Stillwater storybeing published. Congrats, by the way. It must feel incredible.”

“It does. There’s more to do, but this was an important start.”

“Seems like you’ve been doing a great job.” She’d written a lot more than just the Stillwater story since her move to DC. “Your new bosses must be happy.”

She was avoiding my eyes again. She took my hat from my grip and set it crown down on a table. “You took time off work?”

“A long weekend.” I’d left Norris in charge. He’d practically shoved me out the door.Go get her, he’d told me.

“How’d you know where to find me?” Gen asked.

“River again. I hope it’s okay that I showed up here.”

“No, it’s great. I have a lot to tell you. I just didn’t have it all settled yet, but it’s been way too long since I got to touch you.” Gen put her arms around my neck. Her light brown eyes were shining. “I missed you so much,” she whispered.

“Missed you too.”

“Want to show me?”

Our lips met again, drawn like magnets. Impossible to resist. But I reluctantly pulled back again. “Before we get carried away, I need you to know a few things.”

She gave me a questioning look. Waiting for me to explain.

“These last two months without you, I’ve missed you like crazy. I care about you. In case that wasn’t clear.”

She grinned and held onto the collar of my shirt, looking up at me. “Go on.”

“I realized I let you go way too easily.”

“I thought you were tired of chasing me.”

She was quoting what I’d said that day after rescuing her. I’d carried her all the way down that mountain, needing to have her that close after almost losing her. “Guess I waswrong. I can’t give up just yet. I’ll keep chasing you unless you tell me to stop.”

She went onto her toes to brush her lips against mine. “Please don’t stop.”

“Even if I chase you to DC?”

She inhaled sharply, rearing back. “What?”

“I’ve been thinking about what really matters. When my parents died, I found solace in devoting myself to public service. My career has meant everything to me. I know I’ve helped a lot of people, and I intend to keep doing that. But it doesn’t have to be in Hartley. I need to finish out my term, but I’m not going to run for reelection.”

Gen’s hand flew to her mouth. “Are you saying what I think you are?”

I nodded. “If the choice is between Hartley without you in it, or being with you somewhere else, then I’ll go somewhere else. I choose you. If you want me.”

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