Chapter 1
Gwen
I stood slightly behind Emerald and Eric.
This was their moment. Not mine.
Plus… I always had a hard time meeting new people.
My anxiety always ramped up, rendering me incapable of proper speech. I was the type of person who did better with long-term friendships. I got more comfortable with people over time.
Newwas a dirty word in my book. Which is why moving all the way to Red Oak Mountain, a tiny town hidden deep in the Ozarks, had been a big event in my life.
But Emerald was my bestie. And when she met the love of her life here, I knew it was time for me to pick up my New England roots and settle down where the dirt was red and the spiders were big. I was still getting used to the place. The Ozarks werewildcountry.
Emerald said, “I see him!” as Knox walked into sight with a military-issued duffel bag slung over his shoulder.
We’d both heard Eric on the phone with him earlier. Knox had refused to let Eric pick him up from the bus station. Instead, he said he’d hitch a ride from Fernwood to here.
The call had gotten blustery with Eric trying to insist he’d pick him up and the man on the other end of the line holding firm. Two alphas going at it.
Emerald and I exchanged a glance. We both wanted this to go well for Eric’s sake.
It was his passion to open a veteran’s sanctuary. Technically, it was just a house with a big bunkhouse built on the property that he called the barracks. But it was a soft landing spot for guys just getting out of the service. And Knox was the first one.
Eric was doing it as a pay-it-forward for an old Army vet. Leroy had helped Eric get his civilian legs under him when he’d first left the service and felt adrift.
Now he wanted to do the same thing for other vets.
It was a nice idea in theory. But Emerald and I could see some potential downsides that Eric didn’t seem to recognize. Kind of like when you adopt a stray dog from the pound, you never know how damaged it’s going to be.
As Knox approached, I could see the firm set of his shoulders and the stubborn clench of his jaw.
His back was straight and his stride fast. But he looked bone-weary and ready for a soft bed.
He also looked like the kind of man who would never admit that. I could sense a steel rod of determination in him, and something stubborn that said when he dug in his heels there was no budging him.
It was evident in his stance, the strong grip he had on his bag, and the grit glinting out of his dark brown eyes.
The man almost made me lose my breath. It was like watching an action hero from a movie step into real life.
So this is what an Army Ranger looks like.
He’d attract a lot of attention here on Red Oak Mountain. I imagined there’d be a line of women cued up within minutes, ready to soothe his aching heart.
Or maybe his achingcock.
I snickered to myself as Eric bounded down the porch steps to greet the man. “You made it. How was the trip?”
Knox gave a small head nod, then warily eyed us women on the porch.
“It was fine,” he rumbled quietly.
“Welcome to the barracks.” Eric slapped Knox on the shoulder. “Let me show you around. Some of the guys are going to come over later on tonight, so you’ll get to meet everyone. Oh! This is my wife, Emerald, and her friend, Gwen. Gwen stays with us, too.”
Knox’s gaze slid past Emerald and straight to me.
And it was likeallthe gray in the winter sky disappeared, replaced by a blinding brightness. The whole world suddenly felt more alive.
