Page 15 of Strength of the Mountain
My phone rings, pulling me from my thoughts. My old buddy from basic training, Jackson, is calling. It’s been a few months, and I’m sure he’s worried he hasn’t heard from me.
“Jackson,” I answer.
“Hayden, you sound… good.” He sounds surprised yet skeptical. I get it. He’s spent the last three years listening to me complain about my lot in life.
“I am,” I tell him truthfully. “I can’t explain it, but everything has changed.”
“Does it have anything to do with a woman?”
“Well… Yes, but it’s not just her. It’s who she makes me want to be. She thinks I’m a good man, and fuck if I don’t want to live up to her expectations.”
I’m not sure how my old friend will react. “If you had told me that a few weeks ago, I’d have said you’re crazy.”
“But now… You can relate?” I guess.
“Well, that’s actually kind of why I called,” he hedges. “I sort of got myself into a situation with this woman.”
“Oh? And you called me for advice?”
“Yes. Well, no, not about relationships. No offense.” I chuckle and let him continue. “The thing is, I may have said I was someone’s bodyguard,” he says in a rush. “I didn’t have a choice. There’s no way I’d let anyone hurt her, and absolutely no fucking way I was going to let another man step in to do my job.”
“Whoa, calm down, man.” Jackson is usually even-tempered, but whoever he’s talking about has him all worked up. I get it.
“Sorry. The thought of anything happening to her… Anyway, I’m nottechnicallyher bodyguard, but she doesn’t know that.”
“Yikes. Starting off on a lie?”
“I know, I know, I need to come clean. But for now… can you tell me what you did when you were hired as private security? I have to play the part, just for a few days. Then, when I earn her trust, I’ll tell her everything. I just can’t risk her safety.”
“Of course, I’ll help. But you should have that conversation sooner rather than later.”
He agrees, and I go over a few pointers on bodyguard duty. He already has all the right instincts and training since he’s been in the military for so long. He’s actually stationed not too far from here, and I make a note to visit him now that I’ll be sticking around.
The thought of putting down roots right here in Hope Mountain with Cami has me grinning from ear to ear. I meantwhat I told her last night. I’ll buy her a house she can be proud of, and we’ll fill it with as many kids as she wants.
8
CAMI
“Thank you so much for organizing this,” Lily says. She’s picking out her sign for the protest starting in a few minutes. We only just met, but I can tell we’re going to be friends. She’s bubbly and welcoming, and she cares deeply about her brother.
“It wasn’t all me. I had a bunch of help,” I deflect. I’m not used to receiving praise, and I’m not sure what to do with this kind of attention. “The kids I volunteer with decorated the signs, and the Board of Directors helped secure the right permits. I still can’t believe so many people responded to our emails and flyers to gather here today. It’s overwhelming.”
“I love that so many people from all walks of life are involved in this, but you can still take credit for your own hard work. Hayden told me how much the community center means to you.”
I nod. “It sounds like there are a lot of reasons people are protesting today, and not just the community center. Top Spot has gone too far, especially when someone broke into your bookstore. Have they caught the guy yet?”
Lily sighs. “No. I think he went back to Denver after the last incident, but I have a bad feeling he’s going to do something soon.”
Heath, Lily’s man, steps up beside her, wrapping an arm around her waist. He kisses the top of her head in the sweetest gesture. “If he dares to come around here again, I’ll be right here to protect you,” he vows. “I’ll break every bone in his body before he can lay even one finger on you.”
Lily rolls her eyes, but she can’t hide her smile. “That’s a bit extreme, but thank you.” She turns to me and grabs my hand. “Have you met Gabby and Sadie yet?”
“I don’t think so. They just moved here, right?”
“Yup. They might hate Top Spot as much, if not more than we do. I’ll introduce you.”
Lily drags me through the growing crowd of protesters until we come to a stop in front of two gorgeous women.
