“You don’t need to give me your shirt,” she said, protesting.
Ty leaned in, his warm breath tickling her ear. “No, I don’t. But I want to.”
It seemed like everyone disappeared from the room, except for the two of them, as Scarlett accepted his offer. Working in the military made it hard for a woman to decipher between a man genuinely interested in her and someone who wanted a one-night stand. Unable to see Ty’s face and expressions, Victoria’s warning came to mind. He might not be Irish or Russian, but he seemed like a man confident in his abilities. If only she felt optimistic about her own.
When she finished her shift, Ty waited for her in the dining room. He placed her hand in the crook of his arm, leading her to his truck.
“It’s a bit chilly outside. I left it running to warm it up. Letme know if you get too warm,” he said as he opened the passenger door.
“Thank you. You didn’t have to do that. I’ve sat in worse conditions,” she told him as she felt for the side and hefted herself up onto the seat.
“How can I make a good impression if I let you freeze?” he teased.
“You already do when you stuff me with those delicious desserts,” she said, fumbling with the seatbelt.
Ty leaned over and clicked it into place. “There. It can be a bit stubborn.”
She smiled, suddenly becoming tongue-tied by his scent. It lingered with the smell of rosemary, garlic, and something else she didn’t recognize.
“Do you want me to describe the lay of the mountain as we drive up? It’ll give you a better sense of where everything’s located,” he explained.
“Oh, thank you, if you don’t mind,” Scarlett said as she placed her hands on her lap, heating them.
Ty’s warm hand took her left one and held it. His thumb absently brushed against her skin. “You’re hands feel like ice.”
“They’re always cold,” she murmured.
“Alright, we’re leaving the town. The Pizza Palace is on your right. On the left, you’ll find several little boutique shops. They have everything from home décor to baby items. The hardware store sits at the end,” he informed her.
“Then, you’ll take a left and then a right to go onto the mountain,” she said, hoping she envisioned it correctly.
“Very good,” he said, seeming impressed. It sent a warm glow down to her toes. “When we approach the mountain, there’s a check-in station, guarded by veterans and sometimes Victoria and Ivan’s men. I heard you met theinfamous Victoria.”
“Oh yeah,” she said, giggling. “She’s a character. I can’t decide if she’s humorous or terrifying.”
“It’s a blend of both,” Ty chuckled. “She’s one of the most generous people I know, but if you hurt her family, watch out.”
“I respect her for that. Family always comes first,” Scarlett said confidently.
“I agree. To my left, we’re passing the guard station. They know my vehicle, and Leo gives them a list of who he’s expecting. We won’t need to stop.”
“Doesn’t it defeat the purpose? What if someone held you at gunpoint?” she asked.
“I’m a frequent visitor because of my catering services. If I’m in trouble, they’ll know. Not everyone has access. Plus, Leo has men stationed around the mountain,” he explained.
“I’m sure he has more than men stashed in the trees. You seem confident of your safety as well as the others,” she surmised.
“Yes, I am. Leo takes the safety of his extended family seriously. Anyone who’s here for treatment or visiting falls under his protection.”
“I’ve heard the men from his team when they visit the hospital. One always smells like tacos,” she said, grinning.
“You’ve met Taco, I see. His wife Tess cooks for the team. They met when Taco discovered her food truck. I’ve heard people say when a person loses their sight, other senses become stronger. You seemed to have perfected your sense of smell,” Ty said, sounding awed.
“No, not really. She must be a good cook, too. Every time he comes near, my mouth waters for tacos and an ice-cold beer,” she admitted. “Who’s the one who punches people in the arm? He sounds kind of like an…asshole.”
Ty chuckled. “Funny, you call him that. It’s because ofPatch, Leo named his second team, Team Asshole. He’s the corpsman for teams.”
“Does he always come off as gruff?” she asked.
