“I made sure to get several of those, actually.” He reached into the bag and pulled out two. “Here you go.” He handed one to Maddie, and the other to Charlie without a word.
This will be the best burrito I’ve ever eaten.
“Dibs on bacon,” Rowan said. He winked at Viv. “Because I know you’re going to want any of them that are blow-your-head-off spicy.”
“Damn straight.” Viv took the burrito Ben offered her and thanked him.
Flo looked up at Ben with all the hope she could muster in her eyes.
“Don’t worry, girl,” Ben told her as he knelt. He reached into the bag and pulled out a clear plastic bag tied with a pink bow. “It’s not a burrito, but it’s a bag of Riversong’s Doggie Snax.”
And…I think my ovaries just exploded.
He looked up at Charlie. “But only if it’s okay with you?”
Ka-boom. Ka-boom.
“I think Flo would never speak to me again if I said no.” She couldn’t hold back her smile.
Especially when Ben beamed back at her.
And…there goes every last lady bit I had left. Ka-blooey.
“Are we ready?” Charlie was amazed her voice didn’t shake.
“Do we need to wait for Shane? Is he coming, too?” Viv asked Charlie.
“He’ll be by tonight. Right now, he's coordinating with Elissa at HQ in LA. They're tracking down our leak.” She switched Flo's leash to her hand holding the burrito. “So it's just us today.”
Ben cleared his throat. “Rowan told me where you all are headed. If you don’t mind, I could show you around up there. I know these mountains like the back of my hand. I grew up in them. Hiking, camping, war games with my friends, the whole nine yards.”
“War games? And fought dragons too, I imagine?” She was grinning, clearly teasing him.
Ben's ears went slightly red. “Nope. Just soldiers. I was the only one into fantasy back then.”
“Hard to believe,” Rowan said. “You make the best medieval weapons and armor I’ve ever seen.”
“And jewelry,” Viv added. “Don’t think for a minute I missed your display case the other day.”
Ben, who played war games in these mountains, knows them like the back of his hand.Charlie filed that information away alongside Ben the skilled metalworker, Ben the fantasy nerd.
Ben the Ranger.
She'd picked up bits and pieces about Ben’s service from parties and their mutual friends. Honorable discharge. Exemplary service record. Tactical training that rivaled her own.And of course they’d fought side by side at the old ski resort, each having the other’s back.
Warrior recognizes warrior,she thought, then immediately shoved the thought down where it belonged.
Charlie pulled her keys out of her pocket. “The SUV’s this way.” They crossed the lobby to a door leading to the parking garage. She hadn’t used the valet service—she didn’t want anyone in the vehicle. She couldn’t be too careful.
The parking garage was dim and cool, their footsteps echoing off concrete. Charlie led them to her SUV parked in the corner. She’d chosen the spot for its clear sightlines to the entrance and exit.
“All right,” Charlie said, unlocking the vehicle. “Viv, Rowan, Maddie—you're in the back seat. Ben, you're up front. I might need you to navigate.”
“Yeah. Of course.” He climbed in, and the SUV dipped slightly under his weight. Charlie walked Flo to the rear and opened the hatch. Flo hopped in obediently, settling into her travel crate with a contented huff.
Charlie did a final walk around the vehicle—tires, undercarriage, no signs of tampering. The whole time, she couldn’t help but think about Morrison sabotaging Shelly's car. She sent up a silent prayer that Shelly was doing well.
She slid into the driver's seat and immediately became hyperaware of Ben beside her. The SUV suddenly felt smaller. Charlie caught a faint scent of cedar and woodsmoke, probably from his forge. They set their coffees in the cup holders at the same time and their hands brushed.
