Page 82 of Mountain Defender

When we first met, Rory would never have exposed her body like this. I didn’t realize it at the time, but everything she wore was carefully chosen to hide her scars.

Now? She wears shorts around me. T-shirts. Tank tops. She lets me see her gloriously naked, her gorgeous body on full display.

And she’s not just beautiful on the outside, but the inside, too. Despite all she’s been through, which would be enough to turn anyone bitter, she’s the kindest and most compassionate person I’ve ever met.

In the aftermath of Wade’s attack, Rory could have been angry. She could have focused on her experience, her injuries, her trauma, and no one would have judged her for it. But no. Rory was worried about her sister—how Emily would handle the shock of discovering Wade’s terrible plan and his deception.

“She must be so devastated,” Rory told me last night, after making yet another unanswered call to her sister. Emily still hasn’t talked to Rory in the three days since everything went down, not for lack of Rory trying. “Finding out her husband’s been lying to her, that he stole from his company, and then trying to kill me… I can’t imagine how awful it must be.”

I had to bite my tongue to keep from saying what I was really thinking, which was thatEmilywasn’t the one Wade tried to kill. Emily’s not the one with a concussion. Emily isn’t the one dealing with PTSD after athirdattempt on her life.

And I can’t help wondering if Emily suspected something. Not necessarily Wade’s murderous plan, but she had to have realized things weren’t adding up. Country club, new cars, fancy trips, a damn penthouse… How could she have possibly thought they had the money for all of it? Especially knowing the money from her parents was gone?

The police say Emily claimed she had no idea. After hours of questioning, they believe Rory’s sister is innocent. That she truly believed Wade’s explanation of a promotion and hefty bonuses, and never imagined it was all a lie.

As for me? The jury’s still out. And selfishly, I’m not eager for Rory to talk to her.

Rory glances up from her Kindle, catching me staring. Her face lights up with a smile. In a gently scolding voice, she says,“Gage. I told you I could help you make breakfast. You didn’t have to bring it in here again.”

I leave the doorway and head across the room to the side of the bed. “But I wanted to.” Once I’m beside the mattress, I set the wooden tray carefully down in front of her. Then I put the mug filled with steaming coffee on the nightstand so it doesn’t spill. “Besides, you’re supposed to be resting. The doctor said.”

Rory looks at the array of food on the tray, her eyes going big as she takes it all in. “Gage. This is enough food for an army!”

Is it? Following her gaze, I give the contents of the tray a quick assessment. On one plate is a large serving of cheesy eggs, along with half a dozen strips of bacon and two hash brown patties. Another, smaller plate holds four slices of toast topped with avocado. To the side of that, there’s a bowl filled with freshly cut fruit and yogurt. Then the finishing touch, a little milk jar with a few wildflowers I picked from the edge of the yard.

Perching on the edge of the mattress, I reply, “It’s notthatmuch food. And anyway, it’s important for you to keep your energy up. It’s better for healing.”

She shifts over and pats the empty space on the bed beside her. “It looks amazing, Gage. But please tell me you’re going to eat some of this, too.”

Before I can answer, a black nose appears at the side of the bed, sniffing like crazy. A few seconds later, two more noses join the first.

I look down at three sets of expectant eyes gazing up at me. With a chuckle, I say, “She didn’t meanyou guysget to eat it.”

Dewey gives me a baleful look. If his forlorn doggie expression was anything to go by, someone might think he hadn’t eaten in days instead of just fifteen minutes ago.

“Looks like they’d be happy to help.” Rory laughs. Then she shakes her head at the dogs. “This isn’t for you. Now go lay down and stop begging.”

Toby sighs. Elmore gives the bacon a longing glance. Dewey slides to the floor with a disappointed huff. But after a moment, they all obediently go over to Toby’s bed—their favorite—and flop down in a mishmash of fur.

Rory grabs the mug from the nightstand and takes a deep inhale, closing her eyes in appreciation. As I settle beside her and adjust the tray so it doesn’t tip, she asks in surprise, “You got a cinnamon creme latte from Breakfast Bliss? When did you have time to get it? I know I haven’t been readingthatlong.”

“Enzo and Winter were already there having breakfast. So I asked if they’d bring it back for me.”

Concern wrinkles her forehead. “Oh, Gage. That’s nice, but I don’t want them to feel like?—”

“They didn’t. Winter called while they were out to ask if we wanted anything. And they were happy to pick up your favorite coffee.”

“Oh.” The wrinkles smooth out. “That was really nice of them.” She pauses. “But, Gage. I don’t want your friends to feel like they have to keep doing things for me. Not that I don’t appreciate it, with the home-cooked meals from Winter and Lark, and the checkups from Ronan, and all of Alec’s updates. But I don’t want to be a burden.”

My response is immediate. “You’re not. At all, Ror. They’reyourfriends, too. Wouldn’t you want to help out Lark or Winter if they were hurt?”

“Of course I would. But I’m fine. It’s just a minor concussion.”

Except that it’s not just a minor concussion. It’s a second head injury in the span of a little over a month, which I definitely don’t feel okay about. The doctor at the hospital said Roryshould be fine if she takes it easy for a couple of weeks, but I can’t help worrying.

Looping my arm around Rory, I pull her against my side and press a kiss to the top of her head. “You are not a burden, baby. Not in the slightest. Everyone loves you. And they just want to help. Okay?”

A beat later, it hits me what I just said.

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