Rocky Mountain Rescue by Elle James (urban books to read TXT) 📕

to give your organization a place to call home? It’s admirable.”

“Gunny’s a good man.” Max’s fists tightened on the tap. “Can I get you another beer, sir?” He didn’t like talking about Gunny behind his back. The man had welcomed the Brotherhood Protectors into his business and into his home. He was a patriot who loved his country and loved the men and women who fought for it.

“No.” Stover glanced down at this mug. “I think I’ve got enough here for right now.”

His aide had turned on his stool and was looking out at the floor, his gaze following JoJo.

“Mr. Curry, can I get you something?” Max asked in an attempt to draw the man’s attention away from JoJo.

“I’ll take another.” The man shoved his empty mug toward Max without turning around.

Something about the man didn’t sit right with him, so he filled his mug full of foam and pushed it back to him.

Curry frowned down at the foam, but he lifted the mug and sipped, careful not to get foam on his lip.

RJ set a tray with empty bottles on the counter. “Can I get you guys something to eat?” she asked.

“No, thank you,” Stover said. “We were just having a drink before our reservation in Fool’s Gold.” He glanced down at his watch. “It’s about time we go.” He laid a twenty on the counter.

“You have your key to get into the lodge?” RJ asked.

The politician patted his shirt pocket. “Yes, ma’am, I do. We’ll be quiet coming in. We might be a little late.”

She nodded. “See you guys in the morning.”

“The rest of my campaign staff will be here before noon.”

“What time would you and your aide like to have breakfast?” RJ asked.

“Eight o’clock sound good?” Stover asked.

She nodded. “Eight o’clock, it is. See you then.” She grabbed the tray filled with drinks and crossed the floor.

Stover and his aide slid off their stools and headed for the door. The aide eyed JoJo as he held the door for his boss.

Max’s fists clenched. He didn’t like the intensity with which the man stared at JoJo. Then he and the politician were gone. The rest of the evening was fill glasses, wash glasses, mix drinks and repeat. Until sometime after nine-thirty, when the working-class people headed home to get a good night’s sleep before they had to start another day at work.

RJ and JoJo stacked chairs on tables and swept and mopped the floors. Max washed all the glasses, put them away and cleaned the floor and the countertop of the bar. Gunny, Jake and Weaver emerged from the kitchen.

“We’re all done inside,” Gunny said. “Anyone up for some coffee or hot cocoa in the lodge?”

JoJo shook her head. “No way. I’m beat. I’m going home to bed.”

“I’ll take you up on that hot cocoa,” RJ said.

“Me, too,” Jake said.

Weaver raised a hand. “Count me in as well.”

“What about you, Max?” Gunny asked.

“I need to make a run to town. I won’t be long.”

JoJo glanced his direction but didn’t say anything.

RJ locked the front door, and they all left through the back.

JoJo climbed into her car, waited until Gunny, RJ, Jake and Weaver had passed before pinning Max with, “Hey, you.”

He’d expected her to stop him and argue about him following her home.

“Do you really need to go to town?” JoJo asked.

“Yes, I do.”

“Why?” she asked with her arms crossed over her chest.

He grinned. “To make sure a certain person gets to her apartment all right, and that no one is lurking in the parking lot.”

Her mouth formed a tight smile. “Sometimes, I wonder if you’re not the stalker I need to worry about.”

His grin faded, and he gave her a stern look. “I’m just concerned. Even though I know you can stick up for yourself, I like to know that you get home safely.”

She opened her mouth to say something but then closed it. After a long pause she said, “Thank you. I appreciate it.”

He tried not to show his surprise. The man in the vehicle the previous night must have scared her. Frankly, the incident scared him, too. Why would somebody be sitting outside her apartment most of the night? And was he the same person who had attempted to break in? “I’d sure feel better if you’d just stay here tonight.”

She sighed. “I didn’t bring any clothes, and I already told RJ that I wasn’t staying.”

“We can go to your apartment, get your clothes and come back. You can tell RJ that you felt like she’d really need the help in the morning. She doesn’t have to know that you had a stalker last night outside your apartment.”

“She’s my friend. I hate to lie to her.”

“Then tell her the truth—that you’re going back to your apartment to get your stuff because you had somebody lurking outside your apartment.”

JoJo’s lips twisted. “She’d have me moved in here permanently.”

Max cocked an eyebrow. “And is that such a bad thing?”

JoJo frowned. “I’ve always been surrounded by people. I need to learn how to live on my own.”

“Why?” Max asked.

She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. “I just do. I can’t be afraid to go to sleep at night.”

“Well, when you have somebody trying to get into your apartment, you better damn well be afraid.”

She chuckled. “Okay, I’ll go get my clothes and come right back, but you don’t have to follow me.”

“The hell I don’t. Better yet, why don’t you ride with me? That way, whoever is watching won’t know it’s you until after you’ve gotten your stuff, gotten back into my vehicle, and we’re on our way back to the lodge.”

Her lips twisted. “I hate relying on you.”

“I hate that you hate that.” He crossed his arms over his chest, “So, what’s it gonna be?”

She said, “I’ll go with you.”

“Great. Come on.” He held her car door for her. She climbed out, and they walked together to his truck.

Max helped her up into the passenger seat.

JoJo laughed. “I need a ladder to get up into this