Page 62 of Mountain Summons

Tristan held the colonel’s hard gaze.

“I trust you to protect her, Lieutenant. That does not mean I think you’re good enough for her.”

The words hit harder than they should have—which was odd, because Tristan didn’t think he was good enough for Lena either. And yet she’d chosen him—at least for now.

“I’ll make sure she’s safe, Colonel.”

The older man seemed like he might say more—something sharp, or final—but his phone rang again. He glanced at the screen.

“I have to take this. That’ll be all, Lieutenant.”

Dismissed.

Tristan turned and left, the door clicking shut behind him with a finality that felt personal.

By the time he made it back down to his desk, his jaw ached from how hard he’d been clenching it. His cheeks burned—not from shame exactly, but from the helpless frustration of it all.The colonel hadn’t even raised his voice. He hadn’t needed to. Quiet disappointment could cut deeper than fury.

It would almost have been better if the man had threatened his career. Anything but this. And Tristan got it. He did. The man wanted something different—somethingbetter—for his daughter.

He thought of all the things he could have said, if he’d been brave enough. That he’d never thought of himself as the kind of person who could fall in love, and yet he was half in love with Lena already. That every time she smiled at him, it both healed and terrified him. That he didn’t think he was good enough for her, that he didn’t know if he could ever deserve her—but he was going to try anyway, if she gave him the chance.

Tristan dropped into his chair, the familiar creak grounding him in the present. His Inbox was full, but there was no rescue to rush to. Which gave him time to think—too much time, when his mind was still upstairs, still locked on everything he could have said.

Right. Because the colonel would have loved to hear everything he was thinking.

He picked up his phone, checking for messages. One from Lena, sent five minutes ago. He smiled, the first real one since this morning.

Alex and Yvette are cute together. They’re arguing about the best way to cook eggs. My appointment at the gallery was confirmed for five p.m. I can walk if you’re busy.

No. Just, no. He didn’t want to scare her, but he had to make her see that wasn’t going to work. He tapped out a quick reply.

Wait with Alex, please. I’ll pick you up at 4:30. We’ll go together.

The cursor blinked after the last word, and he almost added anI miss you, but didn’t.

He was still staring at his phone when Lorenz strolled up to his desk. “Is it talking back yet?”

Tristan blinked. “Huh?”

“The phone. You’ve been staring at it like you’re trying to mind-meld.”

Tristan exhaled, setting it down. “Something like that.”

Lorenz raised an eyebrow. “Is this about the break-in?”

“The colonel doesn’t want Lena going home until they know who did it.”

“Smart man,” Lorenz said. Then, more gently, “You okay?”

Tristan hesitated. “He told me he trusts me to keep her safe.”

“Okay.”

“He also said I’m not good enough for her.”

Lorenz winced, but didn’t give him any platitudes. Tristan appreciated that.

“I don’t think I’m good enough for her either,” Tristan said finally.

---