Wolf nodded. “Caroline mentioned it. My lady’s got her covered. So, how’s security for the festival going?”
“Great so far. Local law enforcement is friendly so I’ve got a lot of cooperation there. Everything’s in place, I’ve got my team briefed and ready. Of course, every plan is perfect until it hits the battlefield.”
“Ain’t that the truth?” He fist-bumped Kyle. “Anything I can help with, I’m happy to.”
“I appreciate that, man.”
A knock at the front door got their attention. “That should be Brock, one of my guys. He texted me earlier, said he’s stopping by. Today’s his day off, but of course, he’s not taking all of it.” They headed down the hall.
“He’s a workaholic?”
Kyle shook his head. “I think he’s just trying to distract himself at the moment. This is a rough time for him too. He served alongside Arden’s brother. He was there the day Sean died.”
“Wolf blew out a breath. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Thanks,” Kyle said as they reached the door. He opened it expecting to see a moody Badger waiting on the porch. But the man who greeted them looked anything but down. If Kyle didn’t know better, he’d say Brock had just won the lottery.
Chapter 4
Brock’s day had done a one-eighty from what he’d expected when he woke up that morning, all thanks to a chance meeting with the most beautiful woman he’d ever met. He thought he’d spend the day brooding beside the St. Vrain, missing his best friend Sean and reliving the hellish day their team of Swicks had been called in to save a team of SEALs and then come home without their brother.
Instead, he’d pissed off—and then worshiped at the feet of—a damn goddess of music. Jesus, she was talented. To think Brianna was a complete unknown and that he was the one who’d first seen her play. How lucky could he get? He’d have to watch himself around Rachael and try not to bring Brianna up. He was still worried he’d somehow jeopardize her chances because in Brock’s life, no good deed went unpunished.
After walking Brianna back to the farm, Brock realized he didn’t want to spend the rest of the day alone. He felt restless, energized, weirdly social. So he texted Kyle and then went home to change before heading up to the ranch. He didn’t regret the decision so far.
“Wolf, I want you to meet Brock Jones, better known as Badger,” Kyle said as he ushered him into the house.
“Pleasure,” Brock said as he and Wolf shook hands. “Ever been to Colorado before?”
“A couple of times, but this is my wife Caroline’s first time.”
Brock nodded as they headed out to the back deck. “I’d never been until Kyle gave me a call for a job at Watchdog. I came out to interview and how could I say no to this?” He indicated the mountainous landscape in front of them, which just so happened to include Lyons and a certain fiddle player.
“I’d say the place agrees with you.”
Brock smiled and nodded. “Some days, it sure does.” He caught Kyle looking at him with a slightly puzzled expression.
Two women emerged from the horse and alpaca barn. He was happy to see Arden smiling. He figured the other woman must be Caroline. She was around Arden’s height, which made her short, with brown hair and plain features lit beautifully from within.
“There’s my bride now,” Wolf said, the faintest trace of awe in his voice. “She literally saved my life the day we met. And she’s been saving me every day since.”
Kyle gave Wolf a knowing grin. “When it’s right, that’s how it works.”
Wolf turned to Brock. “You have a woman?”
How to answer that?Brock rubbed the back of his neck. “I did but we broke up a while back, before I moved out here. Now, let’s just say I’m hopeful.”
Kyle’s eyebrows rose.
Arden and Caroline climbed up the short flight of steps to the deck. “Hey, Badger,” Arden said. His best friend’s little sister gave him a hug, but not before he glimpsed the sadness in her eyes. The happiness he was feeling retreated a little bit and guilt crept back in.Sean should be here hugging her, congratulating her on getting engaged, not me. Not the man who failed him.
“How are you doing?” he asked quietly.
“Hanging in there,” she answered. The mix of lightness and wistfulness in her voice crushed him. “Thank you again for giving me his last letter.”
Blinking back the sudden wetness in his eyes, Brock gave her a tight squeeze before letting her go. He didn’t say anything because he didn’t trust himself to speak without his voice cracking so he only cleared his throat.
Kyle wrapped his arm around Arden’s shoulder and kissed the top of her head. Her bright smile returned as she looked up at him, then back at Brock. “You’ve met Wolf, but this is Caroline.”
