Page 100 of Mountain Defender

“I don’t know. He hasn’t said anything about her. And he’s pretty adamant about not wanting a relationship.”

“Hmm.” She stares at the two for a few moments longer.

“Who are we looking at?” Enzo’s voice comes from behind me, quickly followed by a friendly clap on my shoulder.

I turn to face him, lifting my chin in greeting. To Winter, who’s standing beside him, holding his hand, I give her a warm smile. “Hey guys. Have you been here long?”

“Maybe half an hour,” he replies. “First, we checked on the stand for the store. Will’s going to man it for the first couple of hours, then we’ll take over. But now we’re ready to grab some grub. Wings for sure, and?—”

Winter nudges his arm. “Look.”

She gestures with her chin towards the Blissful Brews table, where Alec is still talking with Hazel. “I think I know who Gage and Rory were looking at.”

Rory nods. “Do you think? Alec and Hazel? Now that I’ve been to Blissful Brews for trivia with you guys, I’ve gotten to know her a little. She’s so nice.”

I’m already shaking my head. “Don’t get too excited. Alec doesn’t date.”

She glances at me with a teasing smile. “Didn’tyousay the same thing?”

Enzo chuckles. “She’s got you there. Whenever Winter or Lark would bring up the idea of you going on a date, you immediately shot it down.”

“Well. I just hadn’t met the right person yet.” I kiss Rory’s cheek. “Now that I have…”

“Awww.” Winter beams at me. “You two are so cute. And I’m so happy for you.” She pauses. “First Enzo, then Knox, and now you. Next, we need to find someone for Alec and Ronan.”

“And maybe Max, too,” Rory adds. She angles her head in the direction of Max’s table, where the tall man is handing out coupons for free oil changes and trying his best not to look too intimidating. Surprisingly, Sage Nelson is over there talking to him, not dressed in her police uniform but a dress that shows she’s clearly not on duty.

“Max and Sage,” Winter muses. “I wouldn’t have thought that. But…”

Rory jumps in. “Max is really great. Yes, he’s kind of tall and intimidating, but he’s so sweet. Sage is lovely, too. You knowshe called every week, just to check on me.” A pause, and then thoughtfully, “Max and Sage. I can see it.”

“So, are you planning on playing matchmaker for everyone?” I ask with a grin.

Rory looks at Winter, who gives an enthusiastic nod. “Maybe.”

“Speaking of matchmaking, where’s Ronan?” Winter asks. “I thought he’d be here.”

“He’s coming,” I tell her. “He got held up at the mountain; a training class ran long. But he just texted to tell us to meet him at Mariano’s table in thirty.”

“Sounds good.” Enzo raises his chin. “Before that, I think we’re going to head over to Decadent Delights. Winter’s been wanting their caramel snickerdoodle cookies ever since she saw them listed on the menu online.”

“Okay.” I grasp Rory’s hand. “We’re going to hit The Laughing Goat. See you in thirty.”

A minute later, we’re headed across the park, Rory’s hand still tucked into mine. I keep sneaking little glances at her, memorizing her soft smile and the pleased set of her features. Cataloging her glossy hair shining like ebony in the sun and the tiny spray of freckles bursting to life on her cheeks and shoulders. Absorbing the feel of her slender fingers threaded between mine.

Halfway to The Laughing Goat table, Rory slows. Then she veers to the left, towards an empty bench tucked between a small cluster of young maples and willows.

“Ror?” I follow her lead, slightly concerned about the sudden detour. “Is everything okay?”

“Of course.” She gives my hand a little squeeze. “I just want to talk to you for a minute. Nothing bad. I promise.”

“Okay…”

Once we get to the bench, Rory sinks onto the worn pine and waits for me to join her. She turns to me, her eyes a sparkling gold flecked with bits of gold and amber. Her smile sobers.

My stomach jumps with unbidden worry. Is something wrong? Maybe, despite Rory’s repeated assurances, she’s not comfortable being out around this many people. She’s getting better about it, going to trivia and Blissful Brews and having dinners out in town, but this is a lot of people. And without her shield of long sleeves and pants…

“Do you want to go home?” I ask. “It’s okay if you do. We can swing by one of the restaurants and get something for takeout. Have a picnic instead.”

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