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

since the rest of the room wasn’t that busy and RJ was waiting tables.

“What can I get you?” JoJo asked.

“Nothing I can’t get myself.” He started to get up.

JoJo held up a hand. “Don’t get up. I’ll get whatever you want. What is it?”

He sank back onto the barstool. “A cup of coffee would be nice.”

She nodded and turned to the pot that was brewing. “It’ll be a few minutes before it’s done.”

“I’m in no hurry,” he said. “Was Stover bothering you in the barn?”

Her lips pressed into a thin line. “He asked a lot of questions.”

“About what?”

“My military background and what I wanted him to do in reference to veterans.”

“And that made you feel nervous?”

She shrugged. “You know me. I don’t like to be cornered in any building.”

Max chuckled. “I know. I guess the politician didn’t get the hint. Why didn’t you toss him over your shoulder like you did me?”

“I save my moves to impress the men I like.” She set a coffee mug in front of him, turned to retrieve the pot and poured a cup full.

The warm aroma filled the air.

He grinned. “So, that must mean you like me after all.”

“At least you learn quickly.” Her lips pressed into a thin line. “Some men never learn.”

He caught her gaze and held it. “I’d never hurt you, intentionally,” he said.

JoJo held his gaze for a long moment, before sighing. “I have to believe you. You’ve always treated me with care and consideration.”

“Except when I stepped on your toes at the dance.” He studied her face, not liking the shadows in her eyes. “You know I’ll be here tonight in the bar if you need anything.”

“Thanks, but I—”

He held up his hand. “I know, you can take care of yourself. But if, for some reason out of your control, you find yourself in trouble, I’ve got your six.”

JoJo drew in a deep breath and let it out. “Gracias.” And she meant it. Perhaps she wasn’t an island. Having a man like Max as her backup gave her a better chance of surviving.

Chapter 9

Jake and Cage Weaver entered the bar and sat at the counter with Max.

“Want to get a table?” Jake asked.

Max didn’t really want to. He wanted to stay at the bar and talk with JoJo. Then he reconsidered. She probably needed to be left alone to get her job done.

As the men stood, RJ came by. “There’s a table in the corner if you guys would like to move.”

“Sounds perfect,” Jake said.

Max sat with his back to the wall, facing the bar and JoJo. Every once in a while, she looked up and their gazes met. He hoped that she didn’t find him annoying. He smiled reassuringly.

Max focused his attention on the new guy. “So, Weaver, what’s your background?”

“Army Ranger,” Weaver said.

Max lips twisted. “All right, I won’t hold that against you.”

Weaver grinned. “And you?”

“Army Green Beret.”

Weaver sat back, his arms crossed over his chest. “So, what does that mean? While we do the hard stuff of going in and ferreting out the enemy, you Green Berets teach the natives how to do it themselves.”

Max nodded. “That’s part of our job. And you left the glamour of being an Army Ranger, why?”

The Ranger’s face darkened. “I have my reasons.”

“Your choice or Uncle Sam’s?” Max asked.

“My choice,” Weaver said.

“It’s nice to have choices,” Max said.

“What about you?” Weaver asked.

“Uncle Sam’s choice.” Max’s jaw tightened. “Medical board.”

Weaver shook his head. “That sucks.”

“Tell me about it.” Max lifted his chin toward Jake. “I’d still be unemployed if Jake hadn’t come along and brought me on board with the Brotherhood Protectors.”

Weaver laughed. “When Jake came along, I was trying to decide between insurance salesman and convenience store clerk. Both choices sucked. Don’t get me wrong. They’re both honorable professions.”

“But not what you trained for,” Max finished.

Weaver nodded. “Not nearly.” He turned to Jake, “Although, the jury is still out. I haven’t figured out what Brotherhood Protectors are since we haven’t gotten our first assignments yet.”

Max cast a glance toward the regional leader of the Brotherhood Protectors. “Jake and I got a little taste of it when Gunny’s daughter got a little sideways with their neighbor wanting to control the mines in the area.”

“Is that right?” Weaver turned his attention to Jake.

Jake nodded. “Protecting RJ became a fulltime job for a short while there.”

“And that’s what we’ll be doing?” Weaver frowned. “Glorified bodyguards?”

Jake grinned. “It’s an honorable profession,” he said, his lips quirking. “And it’s not as easy as you’d think. Like combat, lives are on the line. Only in the civilian world, you’re not usually as well armed as we were in the military. You won’t always know who the enemy is until you end up trapped in a mine with the entrance caved in by an explosion of dynamite.”

Weaver leaned forward. “Seriously?”

Jake nodded.

The new guy sat back in his seat. “Okay then, maybe it won’t be as boring as I was thinking. From everything Hank’s told me, they’ve had some pretty interesting assignments up in Montana, and they anticipate having similar work here in Colorado.”

“I’m ready to get started,” Max said.

“Hank’s working on that, and he’s spreading the word. His mega movie star wife rubs elbows with a lot of the rich and famous in Hollywood.”

“Then why didn’t we set up shop in LA?” Weaver asked.

“There are plenty of security agencies already in LA,” Jake said. “With so many rich folks coming out to Colorado and buying up property, they’re going to need security agencies like us to protect them and their assets. In the meantime, we have a weekend ahead of us helping out Gunny and RJ with Stover’s campaign committee.”

“It’s outdoors and better than selling insurance,” Weaver said. “Hell, almost anything is better than selling insurance.”

“Deployments?” Max asked.

“Seven. Last one to Africa.” Weaver tipped his chin toward Max. “You?”

RJ came by with the coffee and poured a cup for Max. “Anybody else?”

Weaver and Jake both nodded.

RJ grinned. “You’re in luck. I brought extra cups.” She