The reminder of the man he was smiled at him every morning and curled against him every night.
He was the kind of man who would do anything to deserve a woman like her.
And what she had in her hand was proof.
Pierce watched as Mona pulled the bow around it free and lifted the lid. One finger reached in to brush across the charm dangling from a gold chain. “I know what this is.”
“Do you?” He thought he’d have to explain it.
He should have known better.
Mona pulled the jewelry from the box. “There aren’t many men who would take a bullet for someone.”
“I didn’t take a bullet for someone, Love.” He took the necklace and opened the latch, hooking it around her neck. “I took it for you.”
“To be fair, I sort of took a bullet for you too.” She glanced down at her arm. “And mine actually broke skin.”
He laughed. “Hopefully I won’t have the opportunity to return the favor.”
Mona shifted around, easing up from where she was positioned between his legs on the two-person upholstered chaise. The fingers of one hand toyed with the gold-dipped bullet he pulled from the vest that saved both their lives. “I’m going to go see how Helen’s doing.”
“She’s on the beach in Hawaii.” Pierce reached for her, not quite ready to give up this moment. “She’s fantastic.”
“She’s on the beach in Hawaii with a teenage girl who has more hormones than sense.” Mona backed away. “A beautiful teenage girl with more hormones than sense.” Mona curled one finger his way. “Come on, Mr. Pierce. Let’s take a long walk on the beach together.”
He pushed up from the chair they’d been on since breakfast. “Fine.”
Mona’s smile was wide as he caught up to her, taking her hand in his as they made their way down to the private bit of the ocean behind the duplex he’d reserved for the week. “I love it here.” She leaned into him. “Don’t you?”
“I love anywhere you are.” The breeze was strong as they walked along the ocean’s edge, heading toward the spot Amelia and Helen claimed as theirs the first day. Helen was in the water, flirting around with a group of men ten years younger than she was, having the time of her life.
Amelia was on a blanket, her dark hair tied up at the top of her head, the journal he gave her balanced on her lap as she wrote in it.
It turned out the empty pages weren’t meant for him. They were meant for her.
She glanced up, her dark blue eyes meeting his. She lifted her hand in a little wave, offering a smile he hadn’t seen as much of as he’d hoped.
“She’ll be okay.” Mona walked at his side. “Just like you are.”
“I should have done so many things differently.”
Mona’s hand tightened in his. “Me too.” She let out a long breath. “But all we can do is be better from now on.”
“If you get any better I might not be able to handle it.” Pierce kissed the side of her head as she laughed.
“Did I tell you I yelled at Vincent the other day?” She smiled, a wicked little gleam in her eye. “He was being an asshole to Heidi.”
“He should watch himself. Shawn will peel all the skin from his body if he upsets her right now.” Pierce stopped. “Speaking of Heidi and Shawn.”
Mona lifted a brow at him.
“I hear these things happen in threes.” Having Amelia and Helen with him gave him a taste of what it could be like.
To have a family. One that was happy and healthy and full of love and acceptance.
“Well if they happen in threes then you already missed your chance.” Mona smiled up at him. “Maybe next time.”
****
Thank you for reading Strategic Maneuvers. I hope Pierce and Mona’s story was all you hoped it would be.
I hope you’re not ready to leave Alaska yet, because I have A LOT more planned. The next book will be Rico and Lennie’s.
Rico was always up for a good time.
A little naughty fun with no strings attached.
But the past six months have shifted his priorities. Changed his wants.
Sharpened his needs.
And what he needs is the sweet new-hire with the face of an angel.
Preorder your copy of Advance by Bounds here.
Want to hear more about my plans for the Alaskan Security series? Come join my readers group to be the first to see new covers, read teasers, and enjoy general shenaniganaries.
Looking for something to read while you wait for Pierce’s book? You might enjoy my brand new Cowboy Classifieds series. I write it as Janice Whiteaker and it’s filled with rugged men with slow drawls and skilled hands.
Grab your copy of book 1, Cowboy Seeking Nanny, here or turn the page for a sneak peek.
THE DOOR TO the barn was open and she went straight in, finding Brody wiping down the saddles lined inside. “You.” Clara pointed one finger at him. “Stop it.”
Brody glanced her way, lifting a brow. “Saddles got to be maintained, Darlin’.”
“You know what I’m talking about.” She went straight up to him. “And stop with the Darlin’ thing too.”
He turned to face her. “What’s got you all riled up?”
“You do.” Clara waved her hands around his front. “You and your whole existence.”
Brody was making this harder than it had to be, and right now she was pretty sure he was doing it on purpose.
“My existence has you upset.” Brody’s head tipped down just enough that his hat shaded his eyes. “Not much I can do about that one, D—” His lips lifted in a little smirk. “Clara.”
Her name rolled off his tongue, the drawl he always had seeming more pronounced than usual.
Her eyes snapped open wide. “You