Convinced him to join the rangers with him. Said it would be good for him, to be up here in nature and to be around others like them. He’d grown up in a small town in Minnesota, outside Duluth with his family before joining the Special Forces. But he couldn’t go back to them, not in his state, so he took up Cooper’s offer. The training was a breeze, compared to what he had gone through, and in the end, Garret Simpson gave him the permanent position of guarding the entrance to Contessa Peak. The old man had been perceptive, knew that he would thrive here, away from people. Of course, he was probably privy to his service records and knew what really happened back in Kargan.
It was his job, what he’d signed up for when he joined the Special Forces. Intelligence had sent them info about a terrorist cell hiding in the basement of the market building, so Cooper sent Krieger and his team of five inside to investigate. But it turned out to be a trap, and the place was rigged with explosives. It crashed around him and his team. Being the only shifter, he managed to survive, but his human team wasn’t so lucky. It took three days to dig him out, but by then, it was too late for his men. They died around him. Slowly. Painfully.
But the old chief didn’t know what happened after. No, no one knew. Only Damon.
“John?”
Her sweet voice shook him out of the past. Turning, he saw her standing in the bathroom doorway, clad in his shirt again, her hair damp from her shower. “Good?”
The smile that lit up her face was worth everything he had gone through to be here now. “It was heavenly. Thank you. I didn’t use up all the hot water, in case you wanted a shower too.”
He grunted his thanks. “Food’s just heating up.”
“Do you have any more coffee?”
“Sure.”
As he prepared the brew, she sat down at the table. “Any word about the roads? Is the radio working?”
Guilt poured through him, but he squashed it down. “Not yet. With the sudden storm, I imagine they’re busy down there.”
“Um … do you have anyone who might be looking for you? Wondering if you’re lost. Or why you haven’t gone back home?”
His back stiffened. “No.” He turned around. “Why would they?”
She looked relieved. “Good.” Her hand slapped over her mouth. “I mean. Sorry. For the way that sounded. I just … I should have asked. If you had a … uh, girlfriend or something.”
It took him a second to figure out what she was asking. “No. No one.” His mouth went dry as his bear reared up, but he needed to know. “And you?”
“No.” She shook her head. “No one like that.”
He’d never felt relief like he did now. Not even when they pulled him from the rubble of what was left of that market.
She flashed him a shy smile. “So … um, do you like being a ranger?”
Did he like it? He wasn’t sure what to say. “It’s my job.” That came out gruffer than he’d liked. “It’s good.”
“Ah.” Her teeth bit into her lush lower lip.
“Just got the fire going again.” He nodded at the oven. “Food’s warming up.”
“Do we only have eggs and bacon?”
“There’s other stuff in the pantry. And some steaks and potatoes in the fridge.” HQ always sent plenty of food every week. He didn’t need anything fancy, but as a shifter, he needed plenty of fuel.
“Oh. That’s nice that they keep this cabin stocked for emergencies.”
Emergencies?
“I mean, I’m not complaining. Steaks and potatoes sound good. But some veggies would be nice too. Preferably cooked by a professional and served to me by a waiter. I’d even settle for Chinese takeout or a pizza.” She chuckled. “I can’t cook to save my life, I’m afraid. Ironic, since my aunt owns one of the best pie shops in town.”
“Pie shop?”
“You haven’t been?”
“No.” He’d never been into Blackstone town. Sure, he’d heard the other guys talk about Main Street, but never had the inkling to go. During his year of training, he kept to himself in the barracks the rangers provided.
“We should go.” Her eyes lit up. “Aunt Rosie is the sweetest person in the world, you’ll love her. And her pies. All made fresh daily by hand. My favorite is cherry with extra whipped cream. Plus, my other aunt’s dress shop is just down the street. You can meet them both at the same