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

Max woke before JoJo the next morning and crossed to his room where he dressed. By the time he came back to check on her, she was up and dressed as well. “How’d you sleep?” he asked.

“Never better,” she said. “Thank you.”

He didn’t want her thanks. He wanted her healthy and happy. “We’d better get downstairs and help with the breakfast to feed all the people that are here.”

The day flew by as they kept the campaign staff in the conference room flush with water and snacks. RJ, Jake, JoJo and Max managed the lunch crowd at the bar and set up for the afternoon meet and greet. Stover had arranged to have a band there.

Cage and Jake were given parking duty to direct the guests into a field where they could park their cars. Max worked with JoJo making sure the guests had drinks. RJ, Gunny and Emily worked the food with Gunny at the grill, making hot dogs and hamburgers. RJ and Emily kept a table of sides and condiments refreshed.

Stover’s campaign team hung banners and patriotic signs throughout the area. Stover was the star of the show, standing at the center of attention as the guests came to meet him. He smiled and shook hands, with Curry standing nearby to help him with any other needs.

After the meet and greet was officially over, a significant portion of the guests adjourned to the Watering Hole to continue the party there. Stover and Curry ended up in the bar as well. Max and JoJo made the drinks, while Emily, RJ and Jake served.

By the time the last person left, Max’s leg ached. He could just imagine how Jake felt, being on his prosthetic all day long. Neither one of them complained. It wasn’t in their nature. By the time everybody had left, they were all so exhausted.

Emily came by the bar where Max and JoJo were finishing up. “I know it’s late and you’re tired, but do you want to do another session tonight? Or we could wait until the morning.”

JoJo shook her head. “I’m exhausted and tomorrow morning is going to be really busy, getting everybody fed and out the door for the day’s team-building activities.”

“Then maybe tomorrow night since everybody’s going out to eat, we can do one more hypnosis session before I leave on Sunday.”

JoJo nodded. “That would work.”

“Is there anything I can do to help in here?” A voice called out behind JoJo and Max. They turned to find Stover standing at the entrance to the kitchen. “I already asked Gunny if he needed help cleaning in the kitchen, but he said he had everything under control.”

“We’re about done in here,” JoJo said.

“What’s this about hypnosis?” Stover asked.

Emily smiled. “Nothing. Do you or any of your guests want a hot cocoa bar tonight?” she asked and walked over to where Stover stood. “Why don’t you walk me back to the lodge, and let’s ask the others.”

Cage emerged from the kitchen “I’ll go with you.” The three left the Watering Hole. Gunny, Jake and RJ emerged from the kitchen.

“Done here?” Gunny asked.

“Done,” Max said. They headed out the back door and walked across to the lodge.

Once inside, they found the campaign staff lounging in the great room by the fire, sipping hot cocoa or coffee.

RJ turned to Max and JoJo. “You two go on up. Gunny and I will take care of this.”

JoJo shook her head. “You’re just as tired as we are. We can stay a little longer and help.”

“No.” RJ crossed her arms over her chest. “I insist.”

JoJo lifted her chin. “Then we’ll get up early and start breakfast.”

“Deal,” RJ said with a smile.

JoJo and Max walked up the stairs.

“Gunny will be down here at four-thirty in the morning to get breakfast started no matter what,” JoJo commented.

“I kind of figured that,” Max said. “But maybe RJ will sleep in.”

She snorted. “Not a chance.”

“One more day,” Max said, “and then they all leave.”

They showered together and lay in bed. Before long, they were making love. Max let JoJo be on top, knowing what it meant to her. Afterward, she fell asleep in his arms and slept the entire night through with no nightmares.

Max had stayed right with her during the day, and he’d vowed to stay with her the next day as well. He liked being with JoJo.

Thankfully, the day had gone by without incident. Nobody had made an attempt on JoJo’s life. Being with her had helped. Having so many people around made him nervous. He couldn’t watch everybody all the time, so he’d concentrated his efforts and his attention on JoJo.

One more day, and they’d be through the big event. Then it would be back to smaller crowds, making it easier for him to guard her and keep her safe. He figured he’d already broken every rule a bodyguard should live by. Don’t get involved with your client. Don’t sleep with your client. And don’t fall in love with your client. He figured he was well on his way to failing all three of those.

Saturday morning was a repeat of the previous morning. All Lost Valley Ranch hands were on deck to get the campaign staff fed and out the door for the day’s activities.

Once they had the guests served, the ranch hands sat down to their meal. They ate quickly and went back to work.

While the campaign staff met in the conference room, RJ, Emily and Jake stayed in the lodge to clean up the dining room and kitchen. Cage, JoJo and Max cleared the tables.

JoJo carried the last tray of dirty dishes into the kitchen and set it on the counter near the sink. “I’m going out to the barn to check on the ATVs for the tour this morning.”

“I’m going with her,” Max said.

As they left the lodge, Max held out his hand to JoJo.

She placed hers in it. JoJo liked the strength of his fingers wrapped around hers. “I did a headcount of the guests. We have