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

“We heard it over the radio,” Stover said. “I like to dial into the police scanner. It gives me a good idea of what’s going on in the area and what kinds of crimes are prevalent. I’m glad to see you two are all right. Were there any other casualties?”

JoJo shook her head. “No, thank goodness. Just some shaken residents.”

“Did the fire chief give you any idea what caused the explosion?” Currie asked.

“They’re going to conduct an investigation,” Max said. “But I smelled rotten eggs. There was a gas leak somewhere.”

“You would think that the building regulations in an apartment complex would keep that from happening,” Stover said.

Max’s eyes narrowed. “Unless somebody wanted it to happen.”

Stover’s eyebrows rose. “You think the explosion was intentional? That somebody caused that leak?”

JoJo met Max’s gaze. “We don’t know what to think. We’re going to let the fire chief do his investigation and determine the cause.”

“In the meantime,” RJ said, “JoJo is staying with us.”

“Do you have enough rooms for her and the rest of my staff?” Stover asked. “Because if you don’t, I can put some of my people up at the casino.”

“No, we’ll have enough room,” RJ said. “We have one other person coming out to help tomorrow. She can bunk with me when she arrives.” RJ slipped an arm around JoJo’s waist. “Come on, let’s get you upstairs.” RJ looked over her shoulder at Gunny. “I don’t suppose you’d make a cup of hot cocoa for JoJo…?”

Gunny’s forehead wrinkled. “You bet I can. Anything for my girls.” He leaned in and gave JoJo a big hug. “I’m glad you’re okay, and I’m glad you’re staying with us.” He turned to the rest and said, “Okay, people. Show’s over. We have a busy day tomorrow. Let’s hit the sack.”

RJ walked JoJo up the stairs. “I put you in the room next to mine. You’ll be in between me and Max. If you want to bunk with me, I’d be happy to have you in my room.”

JoJo shook her head. “I’d rather not disturb you in the night. After what happened today, I don’t know what’s going to happen tonight in my dreams.”

RJ nodded. “Well, there are connecting doors between your room and mine and your room and Max’s. If you need either one of us, just knock on the door.” RJ led her down the hall and pushed a door open. “So, you can stay in here for as long as you’d like. Sadly, you’ll have to share the bathroom with me, Max and Jake. It’s across the hall. We’re all pretty quick, so it shouldn’t be too much of a problem. There are fresh towels in there. I’m sure you’re going to want to use the bathroom to shower all of the dust off of you.”

JoJo sighed. “I hate this.”

“Oh, sweetie.” RJ stared down at her. “Why?”

“I didn’t want to be a burden on anybody,” JoJo said.

RJ hugged her. “You’re never a burden. You’re family. You’re the sister I always wanted. You’re here most of the time anyway, so you might as well stay the nights.”

“You and Gunny have done so much for me. I owe you guys so much.”

“You don’t owe us anything. We’re blessed that you’re a part of our family and our lives. Now, you head off to the bathroom. I’ll bring you some fresh night clothes and something to wear for tomorrow. And if you give me the clothes you’re wearing now, I’ll get those washed tonight so that you’ll have them for whenever you need them.”

“Thank you, RJ,” JoJo said, tears welling in her eyes.

RJ had matching tears. “I just wonder what our lives would’ve been like had we been able to fulfill our plan and both of us go into the military at the same time. Somehow, I feel responsible for what happened to you because I wasn’t there to protect you.”

JoJo shook her head. “No, no, no, RJ, you cannot even begin to feel responsible for what happened to me. You weren’t even there.”

“Yes, but I should have been.”

“Maybe it was all fate, and this was all supposed to happen to me.”

RJ squeezed her eyes shut. “Then fate can be a huge pain in the ass.”

JoJo grinned. “You know the saying, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”

RJ’s laughter choked on a sob. “Now that’s not funny.”

“No, but I’ve got to believe that everything happens for a reason. Maybe the reason why it happened to me, and I lived, is so that I could bring this person to justice who could be doing the same thing to other women.”

“All the more reason for you to let me talk to Hank and see if his guy Swede can dig up anything about the investigation, the people on that base or anything else that might help nail that bastard.”

JoJo’s lips pressed together tightly. She drew in a deep breath through her nose and blew it out through her mouth. “Okay, let’s let him dig in.”

RJ smiled. “Good. I’ve got his number. I’ll give him a call tonight.”

JoJo shook her head. “This late?”

“From what Jake tells me about Hank, he doesn’t care what time you call him. If you need something, he’s there for you.”

“I’d like to meet that man,” JoJo said.

“I think you eventually will. I can’t imagine him setting up shop here in Colorado and not coming down to visit his team here.” RJ stood back. “Now, go. Get your shower. I’ll slip some clothes inside the door. And if you don’t feel up to going downstairs for the cocoa, I’ll bring it up to you.”

“Don’t do that. I can go down.”

“Good, because I’m feeling kind of snack-ish. I think I’m going to make a sandwich, too. Do you want half a sandwich with me?”

JoJo nodded. “Sounds good.” With nothing of her own to take with her, JoJo walked across the hall and entered the bathroom. After she closed the door, she leaned against the wood panels. Everything that had happened to her