Page 111 of Iron Willed Warrior

After the end of our mission in Arizona and the few days spent in the safe house, we’d talked about traveling to Mexico. But first, we’d taken a detour back to Hartley. With Trace and River both otherwise occupied, the Protectors had needed our help at Last Refuge.

And that visitstillhadn’t ended. We’d been here for three months so far. We had a room at the inn and a standing invite for meals at the tavern, where Aiden Shelborne cooked up excellent food and his fiancée Jessi made addictive desserts. With protectees cycling in and out of Last Refuge, Cole and I had plenty to do.Especiallywith the wedding planning going on.

Having the best man on the premises had meant Cole could listen and nod when Aiden complained about the wedding vendors or when Jessi got fed up with her fiancé. I’d gotten to know Jessi better and bonded over our pair of grumpy men. Trust that Scarlett, Trace’s wife, had plenty to say on that subject too. Because as much as they got on our nerves, we wouldn’t change our guys for the world.

Cole and I had also taken a few field trips for discreet missions, whatever Trace or Michael passed our way. The Protectors and the FBI had been busy dismantling Stillwater, piece by piece. But it would still be a long while before the whole job was done.

When we got downstairs, Cole kissed me on the cheek. “I’d better find the groom,” he said. “I swear, Solo used to be cool under pressure.”

I chuckled. “Even big, bad warriors are entitled to pre-wedding jitters.”

I made my way outside to the spacious deck, where rows of chairs were set up and guests had started arriving for the ceremony. It was an ideal mountain summer day. Blue skies, high of seventy, no storm clouds or haze obscuring the view. The mountains in the distance were crisp and clear. Flower garlands were draped everywhere, and a big group of Aiden’s family from California chatted nearby.

Owen was here with his girlfriend, Genevieve, plus half a dozen deputies from the Hart County Sheriff’s Department. I waved at Keira, who was talking quietly to Dean. There was some kind of tension between those two lately, but Keira always brushed it off as nothing when I asked.

“Did you save me a seat?”

I turned around to find my best friend Charlotte standing there, smiling. “Hey!” I pulled her into a hug. “When did you arrive?”

“Riv and I both got back to Hartley late last night. First time I’ve seen my husband in a month, and I’m so glad to be home in Hart County. We’re going to sneak away tomorrow for some time at the cabin.”

Charlotte’s career was still back in Denver, and it was strange to think how I’d used to grab lunch with her at the spur of the moment in Capitol Hill.

“Missed you,” I said with feeling.

“Yeah, you too. It’s hard being so far. I’m committed to finishing out my term, but sometimes…” She sighed. “It’s hard. Wanted to be there for the rehearsal dinner last night, but it just didn’t happen.”

Charlotte’s strawberry-blond hair was swept up in a twist,and she’d worn a sheath dress. Classic and elegant, as one would expect from the lieutenant governor. I had opted for brighter colors and a shorter length then I might have dared in my FBI agent days. But Cole did have a thing for my legs, especially when I wore heels. My hair was shoulder length now, since I had cut off the dead ends from my undercover bleach job. I’d also dyed my hair back to a darker shade, and it was quickly growing out. Cole kept saying he looked forward to seeing my high ponytail again.

“What about you?” Charlotte asked. “Have you decided to give in to the pull of the mountains? Make your stay permanent? You’re an official Protector now. Don’t deny it.”

I laughed. “I wouldn’t dare deny it.”

My government days were over. Cole and I were Protectors now, and I was proud to own that affiliation. I’d gotten comfortable in Trace’s chair at Protectors headquarters, since I sometimes filled in as chief of operations when our leader was off-site.

Keira had made no secret of her eagerness to join our ranks. Sheriff Owen still had reservations, but I’d been giving her some one-on-one training to improve her skills. It was just a matter of time.

Heaven help me, I was really starting to fall in love with Hart County.

And maybe…fall in other ways as well.

“I can’t say it’s permanent, though,” I hedged. “Cole and I have plans as soon as things calm down. He wants to take me to the beach. He has that place on the coast, and I can’t wait to see it. We could use a vacation.”

“Can’t we all.”

I didn’t know what would happen afterwards. I had promised Cole I would give us a chance, and I’d meant it. Would we work out? Would I end up back in Hartley or someplace else? I couldn’t say.

But when I closed my eyes at night and let my mind wander to the future, I always saw Cole there.

Charlotte glanced around, tugging me toward a quiet corner of the deck. “I had a meeting with the governor yesterday. The FBI will be making some big arrests early next week.”

“Eric Masterson?”

She nodded. “That’s one. On bribery charges related to his senate campaign. But also several members of Stillwater’s ruling circle will be charged with racketeering.”

I released a breath. “About dang time.” Since I wasn’t a government agent anymore, I was out of the loop. “And Westwick?”

“The FBI will be issuing a statement.”

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