Page 17 of Cowboy's Last Stand
“I knew Mike.In Afghanistan.”
“You knew Mike.”
“I knew he was killed in action.”
Tears filled her eyes, making them luminous.
“After I was injured, I thought about him a lot.Because it could have been me.Maybe it should have been me.”
She shook her head as if to clear it.“I don’t understand.”
“I wanted to come here and pay my respects.”
“You walked all the way from Montana to pay your respects to a stranger?”
Heat crept up Jason’s neck because the explanation was only half true.“I’d already planned to hike cross-country.It only took two weeks to get here from New Mexico.”
“Only?”
Jason shrugged, uncomfortable.He’d have walked to the ends of the earth for her.
“How did you find me?”
“I had Mike’s address.I was going to stop by, say my piece, and leave.But when I got here, you were driving away.I decided to keep walking, maybe come back later.I was having second thoughts, to be honest.I hadn’t called ahead, and…” He cleared his throat.“I realize this is strange.”
“Yes,” she agreed coolly.“It is.”
“I spotted your car at the bar.I thought you might be having a drink or meeting a friend.I didn’t know you worked there.”
“Why didn’t you say anything last night?”
“I should have.”
“Why didn’t you?”she repeated.
“I,” he said honestly.“When I saw you up close, I lost my head.We hit it off, and…”
“You decided to pay your respects by trying to sleep with me?”
Jason’s flush deepened.He didn’t deny that he wanted her.He couldn’t tell her how much or for how long.He couldn’t tell her the whole truth.Not now—maybe not ever.“I wanted to help you.I still do.”
She glanced at her car, speculative.“Do you think I’ll offer sex as payment?”
He kept his tone calm and even, though the accusation rankled.“No, I don’t think that.I’ve never had to pay for female company, and I’m not going to start now.If you don’t want me to fix your car, just say so.”
“I’m not refusing your help,” she said.“I’m trying to avoid a misunderstanding.Some guys can’t take no for an answer.”
He considered the point based on recent experience.She probably dealt with men like Billy every night.She had a right to be wary of anyone in her orbit and in her son’s orbit.“That’s not how I operate.”
“How do you operate?”
“With women, you mean?”
“Yes.”
Jason gave a wry smile.“It’s been so long since I’ve operated, I can’t remember.”
She arched a skeptical brow.
