Jace
Kayla parks near the bus station at the end of Sycamore Avenue, Hope’s main street. From the trunk, we grab a wide wooden broom and all the trash bags she had at her place.
The street is full of residents picking up trash and sweeping debris into piles. I spy Owen up ahead. As acting town sheriff, he’s directing people to where the help is needed most. We make our way to him, with Kayla’s hand tucked snugly into mine.
“Where can we help?”
Owen frowns when he sees me, and his gaze darts to Kayla’s hand in mine, but if he’s surprised, he doesn’t show it. He’s much too good at his job for that.
“I heard you were lost in the mountains.”
I scoff. “Rangers don’t get lost. Just because I’m not on the job anymore doesn’t mean I’ve lost the skills.”
A dark-haired woman walking past stops and turns to us, her sharp eyes giving us the once-over. “Did you say you were lost during the storm?”
Owen scowls at her. “This is not the time, Daphne.”
She pointedly ignores him and holds out her hand. “I’m Daphne Willcocks. I work for Hope Matters, the local paper.”
Both Kayla and I introduce ourselves.
“I’m capturing real life experiences during the storm. I’d love to share your story and hear how you spent the storm.”
An image of Kayla spread out on the bedroll, her nipples hard peaks and her face soft with desire fills my mind. “I don’t think our story is fit to be shared.”
Kayla suppresses a giggle, and I squeeze her hand.
“If you change your mind, let me know.” Daphne hands over a business card.
“Stop harassing people,” Owen grumbles at her.
She turns to face him as she backs away with her hands in her back pockets. “Just bringing the news to the town, sheriff.”
He watches her go with a frown on his face.
I spy Grant outside one of the businesses along the street. As we approach, the damage here seems worse than the other storefronts. There’s smashed glass, and the sign is blown down and mangled.
“It’s Sweet a warning.
I missed something once, and the consequences of that mistake haunt me every day. I won't fail Hannah the way I failed before.
Moving into the sisters' farm should be simple. Keep watch. Keep Hannah safe.
Keeping my hands off the curvy baker is a whole lot harder.
The more time I spend with Hannah, the harder it becomes to remember where duty ends and desire begins.
I’ll do anything to keep her safe.
Anything.
And when the danger comes for her again, they'll learn exactly how far an obsessed ex-soldier will go to protect the woman he loves.
A Veteran's Desire is a steamy protector romance featuring a possessive ex-military hero, a curvy baker, forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine chemistry, protective obsession, and a guaranteed happily ever after.
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