Page 93 of Her Rugged Guardian

“Um, that might be a little bit of a problem.”

“Why is that?” Jesus. Jake was still standing exactly where he was, glaring at me. My heart fluttered from his rigid stance. When he turned away suddenly, I had a feeling it was out of disgust. Damn it.

“Because he’s headed your way.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“He knows you need an attorney and he’s going to offer advice.”

“Number one, he’s not licensed to practice in the state of Oregon. Number two, I never want to see his treacherous face again.”

“Well, he’s due in tonight on a flight.”

“And you’re just telling me this?” Yes, I’d raised my voice. A lot. But she deserved my fury.

“He left me a voicemail saying he was jumping a plane. Okay? I’m sorry. I didn’t think this was going to happen or I never would have said anything to him. I just want you happy.”

“I am happy, Jess. Happier than I’ve ever been. This gorgeous little town is starting to feel like home. I don’t need any memories of the past. I don’t want to relive the pain all over again. I just want peace.”

“Then send him away.”

“I plan on it. I gotta go. I really do appreciate all you’ve done but don’t interfere again.” With that, I ended the call. I’d never hung up on my best friend in my life. We were buddies and I missed her, but this was… My heart ached and I pulled the phone to my head, trying to think about how to tell Jake. No. I couldn’t right now. Not yet.

As soon as I climbed out, I heard Moose barking, announcing my arrival. As if Jake didn’t know. My hands were sweaty as I grabbed the file, moving toward the house very slowly. I’d been positive that either my mother’s signature had been forged or there’d be an obvious loophole in the contract I could use. I’d been prepared to hire my own attorney, pressing suit against Mr. Robinson, but I knew the fight wasn’t over. It was just beginning.

I couldn’t allow the place to be torn down. I just couldn’t.

Even if I went to the press with limited accusations, Malcolm would hire a team of experts who would counter my discovery, convincing a judge that he was right and I was wrong. And they’d sue me for defamation of character.

As soon as I opened the door, Moose bounded toward me, jumping up on me since I’d been gone for almost two hours. Jake had retreated, likely to what we’d started calling the warzone. We’d turned the kitchen into a marketing mecca, white boards temporarily secured on one wall, computers set up on the kitchen table. We’d worked tirelessly together, just him and me, coming up with so many plans for the future.

Now they might all be lost.

When I headed into the kitchen, he was standing staring out the window toward the ocean. I could tell by the electricity ebbing through him just how angry he was with me.

“Hi,” I said quietly, moving toward the island but keeping my distance. “I’m sorry. I got a few things from the county and dropped off the flyers we created.”

He said nothing for a few minutes.

“You’re angry with me.”

“You left the house without me,” he said, his husky tone dipping dangerously lower than normal. But as always, the sound thrilled me.

“You were sleeping soundly. I didn’t want to disturb you.”

He tilted his head to the side and I could tell the fury was building. “You could have been hurt or killed. You disobeyed me.”

I wanted to tell him I was a big girl and was perfectly capable of taking care of myself, but somehow, I knew that wouldn’t go over too well.

“I’m sorry.”

“Sorry?” He turned around, staring at me with the kind of intensity that sent a wave of electricity through me. “Do you know how devastated I’d be if anything happened to you?”

I walked closer, uncertain I could ever find the right words for how he made me feel, the care and time he’d taken the most special thing anyone had ever done for me. “I know.”

“Do you? Do you really? Do you understand the depths of how I feel about you?”

“I just… I think so.”

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