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

she heard footsteps behind her. She glanced over her shoulders, half expecting to see Max standing there. Instead, she found Lawrence Stover.

JoJo leapt to her feet and stood with her back to the wall. “Can I help you find something, sir?” she asked, hating that her voice shook. She couldn’t be afraid of every man she came into contact with.

“No, thank you. I don’t need anything. I just thought I’d poke around and see what was available out here for when my campaign team arrives.”

“Well, I’ll just leave you to it then,” JoJo said. She started to walk around him.

He stuck out his hand and grabbed her arm.

JoJo jerked free.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you,” he said. “I just wanted to talk to you for a few minutes.”

“If you have questions about the running of the lodge and the ranch, you need to take those to Gunny and RJ. I’m just the hired help.”

“My questions aren’t about the ranch. I was curious about your service in the military. Seems like we have that in common. So, you worked in the motor pool?” he asked.

She nodded and backed away a few steps rubbing her arm where he’d touched her. “Yes, sir.”

“No need for the formality of yes sir. We’re not on active duty anymore.” He smiled. “You can call me Lawrence. How many years were you in?”

“Ten and some change.”

“And you got out?” His eyebrows rose. “You were halfway to retirement. Why did you get out?”

She lifted her chin. “I had my reasons.”

“Did you deploy?”

She nodded. “Several times. Seems like they need vehicles to work when they’re out in the desert.”

“That’s true. I’m surprised they didn’t offer you a big bonus to stay on. It takes a lot to get a mechanic trained up.”

They had. Because of her injuries, they’d given her the choice to go back to her unit or to get out before her enlistment date was up. She hadn’t wanted to go back to her unit. Not when her attacker hadn’t been caught, and it hadn’t looked like it would happen anytime soon. She’d chosen to get out and go home.

“When was your last deployment?” he asked.

“Right before I got out of the military.” JoJo rubbed her arm. “Why are you asking so many questions?”

“No reason, other than I like to understand the people I’ll hopefully represent. Colorado Springs is filled with military and has quite a strong population of veterans as well. I like to understand them and know what their concerns are. So, Ms. Ramirez, what are your concerns,” he asked, “as a veteran?”

She shrugged. “I’d like to see the veterans get the medical care they need, for both their physical and mental health.”

He nodded. “That’s part of my platform. What else?”

Her eyes narrowed. “I’d like to see them do more to curb and eliminate sexual assault and harassment within the active-duty forces. It’s out of control.”

The politician’s eyes narrowed. “You say that like you’ve experienced it?”

“I don’t know too many females who haven’t.” She lifted her chin. “Now, if you’re finished questioning me, I have work to do.” Once again, she tried to walk around him.

He put his hand out to stop her. Rage shot through her system, and she was one second away from throwing the man to the ground when she heard someone call out.

“Hey, JoJo, are you in there?”

Stover dropped his hand from her arm.

JoJo looked over his shoulder to see Max standing in the doorway. “I’m over here,” she said.

“Gunny sent me to tell you that he’s ready to open the bar. He could use your help since RJ’s busy.”

“Coming,” JoJo said. “Perhaps you can show Mr. Stover around. He seems to want to get to know the place.” This time when she stepped around him, he did not put his hand out to stop her.

JoJo hurried out of the barn, throwing a grateful glance toward Max as she left. She’d have to remember to thank him later. Had he not come in when he did, she would’ve ruined Gunny’s and RJ’s chances with the politician and any future business he might generate.

Max watched as JoJo crossed the yard heading toward the Watering Hole before he turned to address Stover. “Is there something in particular you would like to look at?”

The man glanced around the barn. “Not really. I just wanted to see what facilities were available.”

“I thought Gunny brought you down to the barn earlier and explained what your team could expect.”

“He did, but I wanted to check it out by myself. Take a little more time.” He glanced at his watch. “But I guess I need to be back up at the lodge. I’m expecting a phone call.”

“Well, if you have any specific questions about how the lodge or ranch are run, you probably need to address those with RJ or Gunny.”

Stover cocked an eyebrow. “You mean not Ms. Ramirez?”

“Yes, sir. Gunny and RJ have been here a lot longer. They know all the ins and outs of the ranch and bar operations.”

The politician’s mouth quirked up on one side. “Do I detect a little protectiveness toward Ms. Ramirez?”

“Ms. Ramirez can take care of herself.” But Max would be there to help, if she needed it.

“I mean the woman no harm, if that’s what you’re insinuating.”

Max squared his shoulders. “I’m not insinuating anything. Just stating the facts.”

“I’ll be sure to direct my questions to RJ and Gunny in the future,” Stover said. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I do have that telephone call to catch.” The political candidate stepped around Max and headed up to the lodge.

Max hurried to the Watering Hole to check on JoJo.

Instead of waiting tables, she was busy behind the bar mixing drinks for the few patrons who were starting to file into the building. If he had not been mistaken, she’d given him a relieved look when she’d left the barn, which made him wonder what Stover had been up to make JoJo feel nervous. He took a seat at the bar