Rocky Mountain Rescue, Elle James [rooftoppers .TXT] 📗

worry about it. I have to confront my fears.” JoJo smiled. “And I’m doing okay.”

“I’m glad to hear that, and it makes me even madder to think about what Roy did to you and how that must have impacted you.”

JoJo touched RJ’s arm. “This is one of the reasons why I didn’t want to tell you. I don’t want you worrying about me. You have enough on your plate.”

“How can I not worry about a friend who is more like a sister to me?” RJ asked. “If the situation were reversed, you would feel the same way. And you’d want to find the bastard who’d done that to me. Just like I want to find the bastard who did what he did to you.” RJ’s eyes narrowed. “You know the Brotherhood Protectors have a computer guru up in Montana. Jake says that he’s been able to access records that…well…might not be totally legal to access, like hacking into a system. Maybe he could do some poking around and see what’s going on with the investigation.”

JoJo shook her head. “I really didn’t want anybody else to know about this other than me and the investigators who are handling it.” She gave RJ a weak smile. “I didn’t even want you to know.”

RJ hugged her. “I understand. I still think it’s horseshit, but I understand.”

JoJo chuckled. Trust RJ to give her honest opinion. “Please, don’t be mad at me for not telling you upfront.”

“I’m not, but I’m kind of mad at myself for not pushing a little harder to find out sooner. I could’ve saved you some heartache of going to the Sadie Hawkins Day dance with Max. And you could’ve been mixing drinks behind the bar, instead of waiting on tables.”

“I don’t want you to treat me differently just because of what happened.”

“Trust me, I won’t love you any less. In fact, I’ll probably love you even more. You’re the sister I never had. I love you, JoJo. I’m so very glad you lived to come back to Colorado. I’ve missed you so much.”

JoJo clapped her hands together. “Okay, enough talk about me. Let’s get this place cleaned up. We’ve got other things to do.”

“Yes, ma’am,” RJ said and popped a salute. “But you are staying here tonight, aren’t you?”

JoJo frowned. “You know, I don’t think it’s going to get as busy as all that tonight, so I might go on back to my apartment and bring some clothes out with me tomorrow.”

“I really think you need to consider staying here tonight. I’ll make hot cocoa. We can sit up like we did when we were teenagers and talk about our favorite musical bands and boys.”

Oh, to be that teenager again. JoJo wished she could go back and relive it. Maybe she could avoid what had happened to her.

No. She was who she was now based on all her experience in the Army. Good and bad. There was no going back. The only path available was to move forward. “Hold that thought for tomorrow night. Emily will be here too, and we can include her.”

RJ grinned. “I’m glad you feel that way. We think a lot of Emily. She, too, is like family to us.”

When they’d finished cleaning the kitchen they closed up and walked back to the lodge together.

“You met Stover and his aide as well,” JoJo said. “What did you think about them?”

RJ shrugged. “I don’t know. He seemed like the typical politician. All smiles and handshakes. He did serve in the military, but he seemed to have made the transition to politician rather quickly.” RJ glanced down at her hand. “I didn’t like the way he shook my hand.”

JoJo laughed. “And how was that?”

“Can’t put my finger on it. I just didn’t like the way he shook my hand.” She looked across at JoJo. “You felt it, too?”

JoJo nodded.

RJ’s lips twisted into a wry grin. “We’ll just have to leave the hand shaking to the rest of his constituents and make it through the weekend.”

JoJo’s thoughts exactly.

“We have a couple of hours before we have to man the bar again this evening. What are your plans?” RJ asked.

“I thought I’d tinker in the barn and see if I can get that old rototiller to work.”

RJ laughed. “You mean there’s a machine out there you haven’t completely overhauled and got running? No, wait. Is it that rototiller that’s like fifty thousand years old?”

JoJo smiled. “Yeah, some of the older models are easier to work on.”

“Well, don’t be a stranger. And if you want anything, let me know. I can bring some lemonade or iced tea out to you.”

“I’m good for now but thank you.” She just wanted to be alone with her thoughts.

RJ stopped before they were to split off to the lodge and barn. She faced JoJo. “Thank you for letting me in. At least, now, I know what I’m up against, and that’s whatever you’re up against.”

“RJ, this is my battle. I have to work through it on my own.”

“Sweetie, you’re my family. You don’t have to do anything alone. I’m here for you.” She hugged JoJo and swiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “Say the word, and I’ll have Jake contact his guys up in Montana and see if they can do some computer hacking until they find out what’s going on with the investigation.”

“I’ll think about it,” JoJo said.

After one last hug, RJ left her and entered the lodge.

JoJo turned and walked down to the barn.

The barn was blessedly empty. In the morning, she’d help RJ bring some of the horses in, help brush them and clean their hooves, so they’d be ready for guests to ride if they should choose. For now, it was just JoJo and the few pieces of machinery that were kept in the barn.

She carried the tool bag over to the old rototiller and systematically disassembled the engine, laying the parts out neatly on a horse blanket beside her. She had just located the faulty part when