“I’m here for you, Charly. Tell me how to help.”

“Who the hell are you?”

“It’s me, Will Chase. Were you expecting someone else?”

Yeah, she was expecting one of the bad guys. She still expected one or all of them to burst out of the night and attack. “You’re working for them.”

“Absolutely not. I’m on your side. You have to believe that.”

She did. On instinct, she did believe him. Though she didn’t understand how it was possible for him to be here.

“Charly, sit down here beside me.”

“We’re not safe here.”

“Sure we are.”

She shook her head, wobbling a bit. Shivering, she didn’t protest when he put her back into her polarfleece coat and wrapped an arm around her waist. She felt the weight of her revolver in her pocket. If he was with the bad guys, he wouldn’t let her keep her weapons. He guided her under the shelter of an overhang and helped her sit down.

Her body recognized him even if her mind argued obstinately. Relaxing into his embrace, she let her head drop to his shoulder.

Heart of

a Hero

USA TODAY Bestselling Authors

Debra Webb

& Regan Black

www.millsandboon.co.uk

DEBRA WEBB, born in Alabama, wrote her first story at age nine and her first romance at thirteen. It wasn’t until she spent three years working for the military behind the Iron Curtain—and a five-year stint with NASA—that she realized her true calling. Since then the USA TODAY bestselling author has penned more than one hundred novels, including her internationally bestselling Colby Agency series.

REGAN BLACK, a USA TODAY bestselling author, writes award-winning, action-packed novels featuring kickbutt heroines and the sexy heroes who fall in love with them. Raised in the Midwest and California, she and her family, along with their adopted greyhound, two arrogant cats and a quirky finch, reside in the South Carolina Lowcountry, where the rich blend of legend, romance and history fuels her imagination.

MILLS & BOON

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From Regan: To Jordan, for being my brilliant, beautiful star. Your wisdom and compassion are as wide as the sky and your future as limitless.

Contents

Cover

Introduction

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Washington, DC

Tuesday, February 3, 2:50 p.m.

“I’m in. But I’m not wearing the shorts.”

Director Thomas Casey eyed William Chase, one of the newest recruits to his team known as the Specialists. He respected independent thinkers. Went out of his way to select highly skilled individuals who knew how to solve problems quickly and creatively. Still, it was rare when anyone on his handpicked team showed this kind of attitude. Maybe he’d made a mistake with this cocky young guy fresh from an elite Navy SEAL team.

“A uniform is a uniform,” Thomas said, keeping his voice even.

“That’s true, sir,” Will agreed. “And it should convey authority.”

Thomas couldn’t believe he was having this discussion with so many bigger issues at play. “You’ll have time to come to terms with how the US Postal Service conveys authority in Colorado before the weather warms up out there.” He wanted someone on his new task force planted in the middle of the country. Someone who could respond effectively to a variety of situations.

“Shorts are for kids and physical training. Are you going to pull me off this operation if I don’t wear the shorts?”

Thomas reached out and closed the plain manila file outlining Will’s assignment. Potential assignment. It could’ve been worse, Thomas supposed. He could be having this conversation in a public setting rather than the absolute privacy of his office. He couldn’t get a read on whether or not Will was kidding around. The uncertainty and unease set off warning bells in his head. He considered asking why the shorts were such a big deal and decided it didn’t matter. Through the years, he’d worked with so many men and women, those who did the impossible tasks in the field and those who worked right here supporting them. Eventually his luck with recruiting was bound to run out. One more sign that it was time to retire and put his personal life, his hopes for a family, ahead of the nation’s problems. But his nation needed him, had demanded his expertise one last time. If he assembled the right team, he could walk away with confidence.

“I’ve changed my mind, Will. You’re not the right man for this job after all.”

“Because I won’t deliver mail in those ridiculous shorts?”

Thomas drummed his fingers on the file, met Will’s stony gaze. This recruit might be a bit too independent. “Because you’re agitated over a small conformity issue and that makes me question what you’ll do when the stakes are higher.”

“Agitated is a bit of a stretch.” The smile on Will’s face didn’t reach his serious eyes. “You have to agree every postman who complies with that dress code is nothing more than a sheep.”

“Thank you for your time,” Thomas said, determined to go with a different Specialist for this post.

Will didn’t budge. “Forget the shorts. Forget agitated. You saw this one—” he pointed to the folder “—whatever it is, and chose me because I succeed, always, when the stakes are highest.”

“I was wrong,” Thomas said with a casual hitch of his shoulders. “It happens. Close the door on your way out.”

“No, sir. I want this assignment.”

Thomas laughed. Couldn’t stop it. No one gave him this much trouble, other than his wife, and that had been long before they married. He shouldn’t find it refreshing. “You think you know how far you can push me?”

“No, sir. I know how far I can push myself.”

“From my perspective you can’t push yourself far enough to comply with the basic standards of your operation.”

“The shorts are irrelevant, in any circumstance. You need someone willing to dig in for the long haul. Colorado was built by rugged individuals who don’t see conformity as strength. They value independence and wide-open spaces and they respect people with conviction.”

“So this conversation was your attempt at an audition?” Thomas wasn’t laughing now. “That’s not how we do things here.”

“It’s how they do things there.” Will’s eyes, intent and serious, underscored his point.

Thomas turned to his computer monitor and adjusted his glasses, going over Will’s service record one more time. “Tell me what happened at Christmas.”

Will didn’t evade or protest, didn’t get defensive or make excuses. No sign of agitation or argument now. Easing back into the chair, he smoothed his relaxed hands over his thighs. “Not much typically happens in the way of celebrating Christmas in Afghanistan unless you’re on a military installation.”

Thomas still had the formal report up on his computer; he’d reviewed it one last time before Will had walked into the office. Officially, Will had been in the nosebleed section of the mountains tracking down a terrorist cell that had gone inactive due to the harsh winter weather.

“And I wasn’t on base over the holiday.”

“You didn’t have a chance to go home?” Thomas was impressed with the way Will maintained his composure. Maybe this was the real man, the real professional he’d been looking for since the meeting began.

“Didn’t take it,” Will replied with a dismissive twitch of his shoulders. “The other guys had family missing them. My parents were doing fine.”

“I’m sure they missed you.”

Will leaned forward. “If you’re worried I’ll crack or break cover, that’s not a problem,” he said. “I’ve been away from home a long time, sir. The scarcity works for my family.”

“All right.” Thomas rolled his hand. “Go on.”

“As you know, recon and surveillance is long, quiet work, and I’m good at it. You get a sense of people when you’re watching them day and night.”

Thomas agreed, glancing away from the computer and giving Will another long study. Everything but today’s meeting told him this was the right man for the Colorado job. Maybe the former SEAL was dealing with a postdeployment conflict with authority or some personality clash. But this new task force was too important. Thomas had to be sure Will could handle the emotional pressure of deep undercover work as well as the physical strain.

“I’d been keeping an eye on the family for days. The middle daughter hauled water every day. I knew her routine. The target had been spotted to the south and then I went days with no sign of him. On December 25, I noticed the water girl’s routine changed. She made one extra trip, using a different footpath.”

“You followed her.”

“Right to the target, yes, sir.” Will dipped his chin. Eyes calm and steady. “I made the report. It felt like the perfect gift at the time.”

Thomas waited, but Will didn’t seem inclined to share the rest of the story. “It took you two days to get your target out of that cave and into custody.”

Will dipped his chin. “That’s what the report says.”

Thomas leaned forward. “Do you want the post in Colorado?”

“Yes, sir. Delivering mail and chatting up locals beats the hell out of crawling through caves on the other side of the world.”

“Then tell me what really happened.”

“I suppose you have the clearance,” Will said on a heavy sigh.

Thomas managed to stifle his laughter this time.

“I refused to move in immediately,” Will began. “On the twenty-fifth.”

“You didn’t want to make an arrest on Christmas Day?” Thomas asked, pushing harder than he wanted to. This interview was like pulling teeth.

“Everyone acts like I was sitting around waiting for Santa Claus,” Will snapped, lurching up and out of the chair. “I didn’t want the water girl to die on Christmas. Is that so damned terrible?” He stalked over to the window, hands braced on his hips. “If I’d gone in right after her they would’ve known. If somehow I couldn’t take them all, if I missed just one man, she would’ve been killed for sure. I have enough blood on my hands.”

He turned away, but Thomas didn’t need the eye contact to know Will was thinking of his brother. The Chase family had buried their younger son after a training accident. Somehow, the grief had twisted, and Will carried guilt and blame because his brother had been inspired by Will’s military service.

“So, yes,” Will continued, turning back. “I waited. I came at them from a different direction. I practically laid a trail for them to find me in the secondary post.”

“But they didn’t.”

“No.” His wide shoulders rolled back. “And I took them all, starting with the weakest link in their watch rotation, until it was just a matter of escorting the target to the extraction point.”

Thomas knew the target remained in custody, the terrorist cell out of commission, the attack they’d planned for spring thwarted. “You saved her.”

“Hard to say.” Will pressed his lips together. He walked behind the chair, his fingers digging into the upholstery. “She didn’t die on Christmas because of me. That’s all I know for sure.”

Here were the character and integrity Thomas had sensed when evaluating Will as a potential recruit. Internal fortitude and an undefinable X factor that couldn’t always be measured by personnel records and reports were essential for this new task force. He nodded, calmer now that his instincts had finally been confirmed. “Pick up your travel documents and postal service new-hire information from my receptionist. What you make of the rest of your new life out there is up to you.”

Will’s face brightened with enthusiasm. “Thank you, sir.”

“Despite your cover, you’ll find a way to stay in contact with this office and stay in combat shape. There’s no way to tell when we’ll call you into action.”

“You won’t be sorry.”

Thomas leaned back into his chair after Will walked out, more than a little relieved. If the current rumors could be trusted, they might be calling on Will sooner than anyone expected.

Chapter Two

Durango, Colorado

Tuesday, February 24, 2:15 p.m.

Charlotte Binali, Charly to everyone who knew her, muttered encouragement to her computer screen. The spreadsheet was almost complete, and she didn’t want to offend the technology gremlins by looking away at a crucial moment.

Her coworkers teased her mercilessly about her tenuous relationship with technology. Give her a mountain and a footprint and she could hike any terrain to find anything or anyone, but computers and the entire mess inside them made her want to cry like a baby.

She really needed to hand more of the tech over to someone else on staff, but Binali Backcountry was hers now, and as the sixth generation, she was determined to bring the business into the twenty-first century.

“Charly?” Tammy, the newest employee, whom Charly had hired to greet customers and maintain the storefront, leaned into the office doorway. “Better break out the lip gloss. Your boyfriend’s almost here.”

Charly refused to take the bait, determined to finish the spreadsheet. Besides, her requisite lip balm had protective sunscreen, not shine.

“Lip gloss, stat!” Tammy urged before she disappeared from view.

The door chimed, and when Charly heard the smooth rumble of his voice, it was more of a challenge to keep herself on task. Just a few more clicks and she could give in to the distraction of the new mailman.

Tammy reappeared, a dazzled smile on her face. “He wants to know if you have a minute,” she said in a whisper loud enough to be heard for miles.

Charly saved the changes to the schedule and pushed back from the desk. “Thanks,” she replied, mimicking Tammy’s loud whisper as she left the office to greet Will Chase, the hot new mail carrier working Durango’s business district.

Hot is a significant understatement, she thought when he smiled at her. The strong, square jaw might have been carved from granite, and the wide shoulders, trim hips and strong hands had been starring in her dreams recently. Not that she’d admit that to anyone.

“Hey, Will.”

“Hi,” he replied, removing his sunglasses. “Am I interrupting?”

“No.” She hoped her smile didn’t look as starstruck as Tammy’s. “Just finished.” They’d only been out on two occasions—she couldn’t bring herself to call them dates—but she melted a little every time he looked at her with those vivid eyes as deep and blue as a high mountain lake. It still startled her the way he could turn the pale, watered-down blue of the official postal service shirt and dark jeans into raw sex appeal. “Excel didn’t implode on me this time.”

“Glad to hear it.”

Last week, when she’d been ready to smash the computer to bits one afternoon, he’d arrived with the mail, caught her midrant and given her a quick lesson on the program. Later, during what should have been movie night, he’d spent hours showing her where to find more video tutorials, which had saved her computer from going out the window more than once in the days since.

“Are we still on for a movie tonight?”

“Sure.” She accepted the stack of mail, thick with outdoor-gear catalogs. “The schedule’s set for next week and this time it doesn’t even need to be labeled as ‘The Spreadsheet that Conquered Charly.’”

He laughed, the sound as clear and fresh to her ears as a brimming creek on a hot day. “That might be the one title I don’t have. I’ve got plenty of beer. You bring the pizza.” He put his sunglasses in place and backed toward the door, graceful as a cat. “Say, seven?”

She nodded, her mouth going dry as he turned to make his exit.

Beside her, Tammy sighed. The girl liked nothing better than a clear view of an excellent male backside. Charly still didn’t know which view she preferred. Will walking in was just as appealing to her as when he was walking away.

“He didn’t kiss you goodbye,” Tammy said.

“Why would he?” Charly made herself laugh off the image. She couldn’t indulge in that little fantasy at work. “We’re just friends. And this is a workplace.”

“Not from where I’m standing, and so what?” Tammy flung a hand toward the spot where Will had been moments ago. “That man wants to sleep with you.”

“Whatever.” Charly refused to get her hopes up. So far they’d gone out for beer and pool at the pub up the street and gone bowling once, but she knew how this story ended before she turned the last page. The way it always ended—with one more tempting man in the friend column.

It had been that way her whole life. Part of it was being built more like a boy than a woman, but her business played a part, too. Binali Backcountry, her life’s passion, took up the majority of her energy and time. She enjoyed the mountains, the risk and reward she could find there, and she rose every morning eager to share her passion and knowledge with others as the owner, as well as a guide. Her commitment and drive didn’t leave much room for romance and relationships.

For as long as she could remember, she’d been drawn to the wild call of the mountains and canyons surrounding the Four Corners Monument. Born and raised just outside of Durango, she’d spent her life exploring until it all felt as personal as her own backyard. Her grandfather often boasted that you could drop her anywhere on the planet and she’d find her way home no matter the weather or resources. She could track and mimic any animal that called this area home and, more importantly, she could find lost people better than any bloodhound.

Typically, men looking for a good time didn’t put those skills at the top of the list when they wanted a date. Or a girlfriend. It was too soon to tell if Will would be different. She returned to the office to print out the work schedule.

Looking it over as it came off the printer, she prepared for the inevitable complaints. She required all of her guides to spend a few hours in the shop each week. It wasn’t a popular stance and she’d lost a few good guides to nearby competitors since she’d implemented the policy. No one loved getting out and guiding mountain and canyon tours more than she did. But it was important to her that everyone understood the gear they carried for customers and that selling tours was a group effort. It kept them all invested and focused on the overall success of Binali Backcountry. As she’d explained it—again—at last month’s staff meeting, no one sold a tour better than the guide who loved to lead it.

The reverse was also true, and it was past time for Tammy to get out and away from the business district. “Have you decided which tour you’ll join next week?”

Tammy cringed and busied herself with a sudden interest in the day’s few credit card receipts. “I’m not sure my boots are broken in yet.”

Charly glanced at Tammy’s feet and noted the cute Western boots better suited for line dancing than hiking. “So start small. How about something down around Lake Nighthorse or along the river trail?” Those routes naturally had a slower pace, more photo opportunities and generally left people delighted rather than exhausted.

“Maybe.” Tammy popped her gum while she flipped through the appointment book. “Clint only has openings on his two-night thing into the canyon.”

Ah. Now Charly had the clear picture. Tammy was crushing on Clint. The girl had good taste, but Clint Roberts wasn’t the one-woman kind of guy, and she didn’t want Tammy’s feelings getting hurt in the bargain.

“I know the tents are rated to thirty below or whatever,” Tammy said, “but I can’t believe that material is really effective.”

“What you should believe,” Charly said, her voice calm but stern, “is that your job here depends on you getting outside by next week.”

Tammy’s eyes went wide, shimmering with tears. “That’s not fair.”

This kind of thing was exactly why Charly preferred working with men. No emotional games, just the occasional posturing, and she knew how to shut that down. Charly took a calming breath, reminded herself the tears were an act, a tool Tammy had probably learned to wield early in life. “That was the deal when I hired you. Do I need to pull out the paperwork you signed?”

“No.” Tammy’s tears evaporated instantly. “I’ll go with David on the river trail tomorrow. Unless...”

Charly was half-afraid to ask. “Unless what?”

“What if I took over the office stuff? All that computer crap you hate is a piece of cake for me.”

“Really?”

Tammy nodded, hope clearly bubbling over as she laced her fingers and bounced a little.

Charly glared at her. “Why didn’t you say something when I was ready to put a tent stake through the computer last week?”

“And miss a chance to stare at Will’s ass?”

Valid point. The girl had priorities, even if they were different from Charly’s. “You still have to take the tours.” She held up a hand, cutting off Tammy’s protest. “At least the ones close to town. It will help you sort out what treks appeal to what type of person.”

“Okay, okay.” Tammy shook back her cloud of perfect, bottle-blond hair. “But if I fall in the river you’ll be on your own with the computer stuff.”

“I’ll tell David to be extra careful with you.”

“Thank you.” She tapped her fingernail on the counter. “You know, I could even put the tour schedules into a calendar app and then all of you would know what’s what out on the trails.”

She and her guides already knew that, but Charly appreciated the effort. “I’d go with that in a heartbeat if—”

“Right,” Tammy interrupted. “Cell reception is crappy in the wild. One more reason to appreciate the city.”

“Takes all kinds to keep the world turning.” Charly flipped through the mail, finding an official envelope from the park service between the catalogs and handing the rest of the stack to Tammy. She ripped it open, pleased to find a check for her latest consulting work. “I’m going to run this over to the bank.”

“I’ll hold down the fort.”

Charly breathed deep of the clear, crisp air as she strolled down the block. It always felt good when a consulting job had a happy ending. This time around it had been a weekend hiker who hadn’t come back on schedule. At the twenty-four-hour mark, his wife had insisted the park service start a search and they in turn had called Charly. When they reached him, they’d found the poor guy had taken a tumble and lost his radio. Easy enough to do this time of year when the weather couldn’t decide between winter and spring.

Up ahead, she saw Will on his route, but he was chatting with the owner of the pub where they had shared their first beer. The man was too easy on the eyes, and she purposely looked away, just to prove she could. It wouldn’t do her any good to get attached to the idea that he would see her as more than a pal with breasts. She glanced down at her chest. Her barely B cups might not be big enough to meet the general definition. They certainly had never been big enough to change the way the local guys saw her.

Tammy might be right about the raw chemistry between Charly and Will, and Charly was definitely ready to see where pheromones and attraction could lead. How could she find out if Will was on the same page? She was darn sure ready for more than another buddy to talk beer, guns and trails.

She yanked open the bank door and stutter-stepped to avoid bumping into the police officer walking out. “Whoops. Sorry, Steve.”

“No problem. How are things?”

“Can’t complain,” she replied. “How are the kids?”

“Good.” He stepped back inside with her. “I’m thinking about taking my youngest down into the canyon when it warms up a bit.”

Steve had worked part-time for her father during their senior year. They’d gone to the homecoming dance—as friends—because both of them had been too busy that season to find real dates. Suddenly she felt seventeen and awkward again, remembering the time they’d driven out to prep a campsite in the canyon and stayed long into the night, watching a meteor shower from the back of his pickup truck. She’d wished for a kiss as the stars fell, but Steve didn’t oblige.

Thank God, she thought now. It would’ve been weird. More of an experiment than romance, even under that endless sky.

Steve waved his hand in front of her face. “Charly? You okay?”

With a little jump and a self-conscious smile, she apologized. “Just lost in thought.” Steve’s youngest daughter had recently discovered a new fascination with photography. “Take her into the canyons southeast of town and she can get some amazing sunset pictures.”

“That’s a great idea. She’ll love that. I’m glad I bumped into you.”

“Me, too. Have a great time.”

They went their separate ways, leaving Charly feeling half a step out of sync with the rest of her world as she made the deposit. It irritated her. She had exactly what she wanted. More. With the business she had freedom and plenty of time in wide-open spaces, challenges of every variety. She had exactly what she needed, sharing the world she loved from mountaintop to river to canyon with new people every day.

“Living the dream,” she reminded herself as she walked back up the block to the Binali Backcountry storefront. This was her heritage as well as her dream come true.

So why did it feel as though something was missing? Determined to adjust her attitude, she tipped her face to the snowcapped peaks kissing the horizon. This happened to her when she spent too much time in the office and not enough out in the field. Four days was about her tolerance for the city life, and she hadn’t led a tour in over a week. Well, easy enough to fix that. She’d just make time for an early hike tomorrow morning since she had plans tonight. Plans with a man she definitely wanted to know better. In the biblical sense rather than strictly as a friend. Maybe she should ask Tammy for pointers on how to stage a seduction. Heck, she needed pointers in how to tell if a guy was open to being seduced.

She was laughing at herself, her balance somewhat restored, when she strolled back into the store.

“Must have been some check,” Tammy said.

“Every little bit helps,” she admitted.

“I opened the fan mail while you were gone.”

“We got fan mail?”

“Sure.” Tammy spun a handwritten note card around for Charly’s inspection. “Take a look.”

Charly read it aloud, happily recalling her time with the Ronkowski family. “‘Thanks again for making our vacation something we’ll remember forever. The kids are still talking about it with anyone who will stop long enough to listen. We’ve been camping and taken tours through all kinds of places, but Charly, your expertise and passion for the area made all the difference. We’re already planning to return to Colorado and take another tour with you this summer.’”

The note went on, elevating Charly’s mood with every word. She’d led the parents and their three kids on a camping excursion through the canyon she’d recommended to Steve earlier. “Wow. We can pull a few of these lines for the website,” she said. In fact, she wanted to upload the new quotes right this second. “They were a fun family.”

“They sure think the world of you.”

“It’s easy to share what you love best.” An idea dawned, one she thought might be a good compromise for Tammy. “Want to go hiking with me tomorrow?”

“What? And close the store?”

“No. Before we open. Before breakfast.”

Tammy’s jaw dropped open. Then she snapped it shut and glared at Charly. “This is some kind of test.”

“Not at all.” Charly gathered up the mail as she rounded the counter, smiling again at the note from the Ronkowskis. “I just need to get outside.”

Tammy pointed at the door with her perfectly manicured finger. “You just came in.”

Charly laughed. “I meant the big outside, away from sidewalks and storefronts.”

“You’re a nature addict.” Tammy shook her head, as if the diagnosis were fatal. “I have plans for tomorrow before breakfast.”

“You do?”

“Yup.” Tammy nodded emphatically. “Sleep.”

“Fine.” Unable to argue with a confirmed city girl, Charly ducked into the office to deal with a few remaining administrative details. If she lingered, she knew she’d ask Tammy for advice about men and that just felt too...needy, she decided.

She’d let the mysterious chemistry work, and whatever happened with Will happened.

* * *

WILL TOOK A final look around his apartment and decided he had everything set for his movie date with Charly. The clutter was gone, the kitchen and bathroom spotless. The beer was cold, he had microwave popcorn ready to go, and he’d bought a pack of cupcakes for dessert. Yeah, he had everything except the movie.

Binali Backcountry had quickly become the high point on his postal route each day. During his first week on the job, chatting up so many strangers all at once had left him drained and craving nothing more than hours of quiet at the end of the day. Then he’d met her. There was an ease about Charly that smoothed him out. He blamed it on the absolute confidence that hovered over her like a cloud. That particular trait wasn’t something he saw in most civilians.

Casey expected Will to get involved here, so sticking to his hermit tendencies wasn’t an option even for personal time. Following orders, Will had jumped in with both feet and asked her out, telling himself it was all part of burrowing deep into the cover story.

Being a mailman came easily enough. The tasks were so different from his military career, he appreciated having the mental space to assess the community. The people were nice and generally took pride in the area as a whole. He’d been right about the mile-wide streak of independence out here. While it had been hard work denying the part of him that needed solitude and quiet, he was making the adjustment.

I’m dating, he thought, checking his watch. Charly would be here in ten minutes. He picked up the remote and started scrolling through his extensive movie library. He’d picked up most of the titles during his time on bases where the troops had created dedicated servers packed with entertainment for relaxation between missions. Still, he couldn’t make up his mind about what they should watch tonight.

This was the first time they were staying in, which felt like enough pressure, but he didn’t know her tastes well enough to make a confident choice. Will decided to narrow the list to three and let her make the final call.

While he skimmed through the long list, his cell phone sounded with the old-school telephone ring he’d programmed for contact from Director Casey. The familiar anticipation of a mission shot through his system as he answered. “Chase here.”

“This is a high-alert notification.”

Thank God, some action. He was more than ready for a challenge bigger than movie selections.

“We have confirmed reports that a device known as a Blackout Key, a cutting-edge cyber weapon, has been stolen,” Director Casey explained. “It’s reverse-engineering software. I’m told the damn thing can breach everything from bank systems to nuclear weapon launch codes.”

Will took a slow breath and waited for more details. Software could hide anywhere, on anyone.

It could be as sexy as a tube of lipstick or as unassuming as a car key. Hell, something like that could hover up in a technology cloud, just waiting for the right bad guy to access it. He fought the immediate disappointment. He couldn’t hunt software. Not the way he hunted bad guys.

Still, he wondered how it tied in to Durango. Every business on his route relied on software security and the internet in some capacity. Thinking of the businesses on his route, he automatically prioritized them, starting with the prime targets. The two banks for sure, but he could see the value in targeting the investment group and a nationally recognized architectural firm, too.

“Three suspects were under surveillance,” Casey continued, “but one suspect, a man we believe was instrumental in the key’s development, has suddenly disappeared from the Los Angeles area. The files and everything related to the program have vanished from all databases in the DC lab.”

“Am I being relocated?” The flicker of regret at leaving Durango—and Charly—surprised him. His SEAL training had made him innately qualified for action in this kind of rugged terrain.

“No. You sit tight. This is a nationwide alert. What we don’t have yet is hard intel on the location of the key. Photos of the missing suspect and full details will be emailed to you. Keep the information secure and notify me at once if you spot anything that relates to this alert.”

“Sit tight,” Will echoed. “Does that mean you don’t want me to act?”

Casey hesitated. “You are authorized to take whatever action is necessary to protect civilians or recover the Blackout Key. This breach cannot go public. We can’t allow it to reach the black market, either.”

“Copy that.”

The line went dead, and a moment later a knock sounded at the door. He set the phone to vibrate and pushed it into his back pocket. When he opened the door, the rich aroma of hot pizza spiced the air.

Charly smiled at him over the big square box. Her long hair, usually pulled back from her face in a braid or ponytail, was down tonight. It fell like a thick midnight curtain across her shoulders and lower, brushing the gentle curve of her breasts highlighted by the deep V of her light green sweater. His breath caught and his stomach growled.

“Sounds like I’m just in time.” Her lips gleamed with a soft sheen, and she’d added some subtle touch that made her big brown eyes wider, more... It hit him suddenly—she’d applied makeup. For him. He liked it.

“You look great,” he said, stepping back so she could come inside. She looked more delicious than any meal. He reminded himself they were friends. The smart play was to take it slow. His assignment was long-term and he didn’t want to make the wrong move and alienate her—or anyone else.

While she settled the pizza in the kitchen, he pulled down plates and offered her a choice of the locally crafted beers he’d picked up.

His phone hummed, and he pulled it out. A quick check of the display confirmed it was the expected information from Casey.

“Problem?”

“Not tonight,” he said, raising his glass to hers for a toast. “Let’s eat.”

Chapter Three

The next morning, under a cloudless blue sky, Charly parked her truck behind the store and slid the key into the back door. Stepping inside, she silenced the alarm system and locked the door behind her. At just past seven, she still had two full hours before Tammy arrived.

She sighed happily. Two full hours to enjoy the sweet high resulting from the combination of an interesting evening with a sexy man and a perfect morning hike through crisp winter air.

It had been a bit more challenging than she’d anticipated getting out of bed after the impromptu double feature at Will’s place. The beer and pizza had been impeccable accompaniment for the loud, over-the-top action flick they’d started with. But his unexpected admission that he had a weakness for Disney films had forced her to test his honesty. She’d woken up with random lyrics and lines from The Little Mermaid playing in her head.

Along with the memory of his face—so solemn—when he’d said the film had been required viewing during his navy training. She’d laughed in complete disbelief over both parts of his wild claim.

Oh, he undoubtedly had the well-honed body of a warrior, but she couldn’t fathom any reason a navy veteran would settle in Colorado. She’d blurted out the observation and listened, entertained by his colorful explanation of having had his fill of endless oceans and major waterways.

Whatever the reason, she was more than glad he was part of her landscape now. “You’ve got it bad,” she scolded herself while she started a pot of coffee. A few dates was way too soon to be this enthralled over any man, but especially irresponsible when the man was new to town.

Still, she’d wanted to spin in a happy circle as she left his place last night, after he’d asked her for a pool game rematch at the pub tonight. This was almost like having a boyfriend, though they hadn’t really discussed it in those terms.

She suffered another nearly deflating moment thinking the feelings were only on her side, but then she remembered the way he’d looked at her when she left last night. There’d been a certain chemistry—or at least something that felt distinctly warmer than friendship in his clear blue eyes.

Catching her reflection in the glass of the half door between the storefront and the back room, she wondered what Will saw when he looked at her. She paused, taking stock. With her hair pulled back from her face, a company ball cap on her head and only a sweep of mascara, she felt plain. Bland.

Not ugly, just...unfinished. Unpolished was the better word. But she had no intention of changing her habits. Makeup didn’t go well with her career, though Will had seemed to approve of her effort in that area last night. She wasn’t sugar and spice and everything curvy and nice like other women. A total tomboy, she’d spent her youth proving she could keep up with the nature-loving men in her life instead of embracing the critical differences that made her a woman, from chewing tobacco—once, on a dare—to splitting wood every winter. It was simply who she was. She wouldn’t change for any man, no matter how hot and ripped or funny or intriguing. With an irritated huff for letting anything as silly as a reflection erode her good mood, she pushed through the door and into the storefront.

She hit the power button for the computers, then went out and took a quick stock of the displays. Tammy had everything neatly organized, and while she might not be a big fan of the great outdoors, she was an asset here in the shop.

“Here’s hoping she’s that efficient with spreadsheets, schedules and financials.”

Charly filled a tall mug with coffee and returned to her desk, the same simple and scarred desk her father and grandfather had used. Now it was hers. Feeling connected to all they’d handed down to her, she started on the email.

She discarded the obvious spam and answered the easy ones before dealing with the rest of it. Inquiries ranged from advertising offers to shipping confirmations. A new shipment of ball caps was scheduled to arrive today, and she smiled when she saw they were coming by the US Postal Service. She’d make herself available to sign for that package when the hunky new mailman delivered it.

The time slipped away as she dealt with necessities and soon she heard the security system chiming as someone came in the back door. Her eyes went to the little monitor perched on the corner of her desk that kept an eye on the back entrance. Tammy and Clint.

Well, that should keep spirits high around here today. Charly stood up, stretching her arms and grabbing her empty coffee cup to go greet them.

After catching up and successfully dodging direct questions about her evening, she shared one of the more intriguing email messages with Clint.

“Take a look,” she said, handing over the page she’d printed out. “It’s a team-building thing. Sounds like we can name our price.”

Clint gulped his coffee while he read the short message. One of her father’s hires, Clint had joined Binali Backcountry almost on his first day in Durango. Blond, lean, with sun-kissed skin and deep dimples, Clint was a good-looking guy, and she understood Tammy’s wistful crush on him.

But Clint had his own priorities. When he’d invited Charly to dinner, it had been for the sole purpose of learning all he could about the trails she’d been running tame on her whole life.

She valued his friendship, work ethic and love of the job. When Charly’s father stepped back from the business, Clint stepped up, helping her maintain the reputation of excellence. And as each of her brothers followed their careers away from Durango, Clint had filled the void, becoming an important partner and friend.

“Says he’ll be in this afternoon.” Clint set the printed email aside in favor of a fast-food bag of breakfast. “Want me to be here?” He stuffed a big bite of a breakfast sandwich into his mouth.

Charly cut short the urge to tease and judge him. For a man comfortable eating off the land, he made up for it whenever he had the chance. “Something like this will take two guides for sure.”

He nodded, chewing thoughtfully. “What are you thinking of charging?”

She tossed out a number. “Plus the rental gear.”

Tammy whistled, but Clint’s eyebrows dipped low. “For seven software geeks in this weather? Add in another grand for pain and suffering.”

“You charge the customer for the chance to suffer?” Tammy was aghast.

“No, darlin’.” Clint’s dimples showed up. “That’s for our pain and suffering. Desk jockeys tend to whine.”

“I wouldn’t whine,” Tammy vowed.

“I’d never give you cause,” Clint said, his voice oozing charm and innuendo.

Charly rolled her eyes. Tammy looked as though she might dissolve into a puddle. “Why don’t you unlock the front door,” she instructed Tammy. Clint had no idea the destruction his little flirtation could leave behind.

“Come on,” she said to Clint. “Let’s hammer out a few ideas and price points. We can give them options.”

“You really don’t want to risk losing them, I guess,” he said, following her to the office. “But our books can’t be that dire.”

“They’re not. We’re doing great,” she assured him.

Clint pushed aside some catalogs, making room for his coffee cup on a corner of her desk. Settling back in the only other chair, he finished off his breakfast while they came up with a few package ideas.

“Seems sudden,” he said when she was printing out the varied proposals.

“What do you mean?” She shot him a look as he worked the wrapper of his meal into a ball between his palms. A sure sign he was thinking.

“Come on. You think this guy just plans to hand out plane tickets when his crew comes in today or do you think they’ve been in on the planning process?”

“Does it matter? The email says they just wrapped a project. They want to cut loose and get out of the office.”

“In their place I’d go to Vegas.”

“Then be grateful they’re coming here and want to give us their money.”

“If you close the deal, I’ve got plenty of ways to spend my cut.” Clint flipped through the pages once more. “Should we pad that pain-and-suffering number a little more?”

“There’s padding and then there’s outright greed.”

His dimples flashed again. “True.” He leaned forward, his eyes twinkling. “But if they go the mountain route, they’ll be cold.” He stood, pretending to shiver. “We could make a side bet that you’ll cave to the inevitable whining before I do.”

“No deal,” she said on a chuckle. “I can be just as much a hard-ass as you when it’s necessary.”

Clint scoffed. “Then start practicing, sister, and get the payment up front.” He clapped her on the shoulder. “I’ve got a feeling these soft, cube-withered geeks will have us earning every penny once they get a taste of nature up on the mountain at this time of year.”

“You’re a cynic.” She shooed him out of the office with orders to make space in the back room for the delivery coming in. “And put some polish on your professional charm while you’re at it.”

* * *

A FEW HOURS LATER, as she listened to their potential new client, she realized both she and Clint were right. The job would be lucrative, but with every passing minute it was becoming more complicated.

“Let’s do this,” Charly suggested to the client. “Which of the options presented comes closest to what you have in mind?”

Reed Lancaster had made it clear from the moment he’d walked in that money was no object. His precise though relaxed appearance gave her an impression of significant wealth to back up the statement. His cashmere sweater, perfectly creased and cuffed khaki slacks and stylish shoes told the story. She imagined he spent a small fortune to keep his hair trimmed, and the gray at his temples added distinction. It was pointless to guess how much he’d shelled out for the Rolex on his wrist. She hoped he had the sense to leave it in his hotel safe rather than wear it on the excursion they were planning. Now, if they could just agree on where he wanted to go and the top three objectives he wanted to get out of the hike.

“As I explained in the email, my team deserves a break. I want to build on our momentum and camaraderie. The three-day hike into the mountains sounds ideal.”

“We’ll make sure your team is bonding while they’re having fun,” Clint said.

Mr. Lancaster ignored him, focusing on the paperwork in front of Charly. “Ms. Binali, I’ve done the research, read the reviews and asked around since coming to town two days ago. Your company has a reputation as the best.” He removed his reading glasses—no drugstore cheaters for Mr. Lancaster, these were designer frames.

“Your specific reputation—” he looked directly at Charly “—is what brought me here.” He tapped the small table. “I’ve taught everyone who works for me that to settle—on anything—is equal to defeat. With every project, every day, we strive for excellence. We are the team that sets the bar others try to reach. I won’t give them less than the best experience possible. That means I need you.”

“I appreciate the vote of confidence.” She gave him a smile and while she gathered the proposals into one stack, putting her favorite mountain hike option on top based on his decision, Mr. Lancaster reached into his coat and withdrew a long, slim wallet.

He’d said there were two hobby photographers on his team. While there wasn’t a bad view on any of the routes she and Clint had chosen, Lancaster insisted on the mountain options despite the weather risks.

“The mountains will give you stunning views, crisp air and opportunities for teamwork from the campsites to the hike itself.” She forced herself to keep talking as he counted out cash. “You’re sure everyone on your team can handle the physical exertion?”

He added more bills, hundreds, she noticed, to the stack. “Fitness is another requirement to stay on my team, Ms. Binali.”

“All right.” The guy struck her as a tough boss. It would be interesting to meet the people who chose to work with him. “Clint and I will get things together.”

Lancaster’s gaze slid to Clint and back to hers. “You’re sure two guides are necessary?”

She willed Clint to keep his mouth shut. “Two guides will guarantee you and your team get the most out of the excursion and the challenge course experiences we’ll provide.”

Lancaster dipped his chin in silent acknowledgment, though his lips were pressed into a thin line. “What needs to be signed?”

She offered the basic waiver and contract and explained the maps on the page, highlighting the parking and load-out areas. “We can meet at eight—”

“We’ll start at seven o’clock. Tomorrow.”

The customer is always right. It took a few repetitions to believe it. “Okay, we can do that,” she agreed reluctantly. “This is the list of gear and waivers for each member of your team. I’ll need them back by—”

“I have them here,” he said, cutting her off again. He opened a leather portfolio and produced the documentation for each of the six people on his team. All men, she noticed, though he hadn’t specified that detail. “I printed them from the website to save time. The photos were cropped from our company picnic last year.”

She handed the pages to Clint, who skimmed them and gave her a small nod, confirming the required information and signatures were all in order.

“We won’t need rental gear,” Lancaster added. “Everyone has been outfitted according to the resources posted online.”

Efficiency must go along with being the best, she thought. She couldn’t fault him. Those lists covered the basics and were up-to-date. “Does that include tents and personal camping gear?”

“Yes.”

“Great.” She tried to show some excitement, but Lancaster’s rigid determination to have everything his way got under her skin. The increasing profit margin should make Clint happy. “Does anyone on your team have food allergies?”

Mr. Lancaster shook his head.

“Then it seems we’re set. Binali Backcountry will provide the necessary gear for the team challenges.” She wanted to be absolutely clear on that point. It was standard procedure, for convenience as well as liability. Relieved he didn’t try to convince her he was bringing that along, too, she stood. Lancaster and Clint followed suit and they all shook hands. Since she hadn’t been expecting to head out tomorrow, she’d need the rest of the evening for preparation.

“He’s a tough bastard,” Clint murmured, watching Lancaster climb into a glossy Mercedes crossover parked across the street. “You think that’s a rental?”

Charly picked up the stack of cash and counted it. “For that guy? No way.” She shook her head. “He probably bought it just for this trip.”

“Is the money real?”

“Yes,” she said with a tight laugh, retreating to her office. “Can you get started on the gear and packing?” Clint nodded, leaning against the doorjamb. “Great. Thanks.” It was short notice, but just as Mr. Lancaster had said, Binali was the best. They could make this happen. “I’ll send Tammy to make the deposit and pick up groceries.”

“Sure thing. Just as soon as the mail comes,” Tammy replied absently as she flipped through the waivers and photos, putting the information into the folder that indicated a booked excursion. “The best part of this job is getting a daily dose of superhunk.”

Clint’s face clouded over as he turned to face Tammy. “Lancaster? He’s old enough to be your father.”

“First, age is only a number,” she scolded. “Second, ick,” Tammy finished with a mock shudder. “I meant the mailman. The Lancaster dude is way too uptight for me. Good luck with him on the mountain.”

“We’ll be all right,” Charly said. “He paid cash, all of it up front, and I know we’ll surpass his expectations.” She ignored the unanimous eye rolling. “Come on, both of you. Get busy. I have a schedule to adjust.”

Clint disappeared into the back, and her butt had barely landed in her desk chair when she heard the chime on the front door. Judging by Tammy’s warm greeting, Will had arrived with the day’s mail.

Charly paused long enough to hit Print for the standard grocery list and then walked out to join the conversation. Tammy had signed for the box, her fingers tracing the corners while she flirted shamelessly with Will. Charly told herself it didn’t matter. Tammy could enjoy the view of Will’s body, but she sure as hell wasn’t Will’s type.

The catty assessment startled her as Charly watched them. What did she know of Will’s type? Technically, she didn’t have a claim on the man. They’d only been out on a few friendly dates. They hadn’t even exchanged any romantic physical contact yet.

“Hey there, Charly.” Will’s smile lit up his silver-blue eyes.

“Hi.” Her knees felt weak. How silly. “Having a good day?”

“Good enough.” He nodded to the big box he’d set on the counter. “New gear?”

“Ball caps,” she said. “We sell them—” she tipped her head toward the display in the front window “—but we give them to our guests. A gift-with-purchase kind of thing.”

“The bright colors must make it easy to do a head count.”

“You’d be right about that.” She turned to Tammy. “I have the list and deposit ready to go.”

“Cool.” Tammy accepted the bank bag and the grocery list. “On account?”

“Please.”

“You got it. I’ll just take this back to Clint. Have a great day,” Tammy said, aiming a wink at Will.

“She’s got a little crush going on,” Charly explained.

“On me?” Will’s dark eyebrows winged up.

“On men in general, I think.” She appreciated his quick laugh. “But I meant she has a crush on Clint. At least this week.”

Will looked mildly relieved. “Hope that works for her. Are we still on for pool tonight?”

Charly winced. “Sorry. I have to take a rain check. We picked up a new client determined to squeeze every minute out of his tour, starting bright and early tomorrow morning.” She tapped the stack of waivers on the counter. “Some bigwig software guy with more money than sense wants a team-building excursion. Clint and I need to prep.”

Will glanced at the paperwork and then raised his gaze back to her. “No problem,” he said easily. “We’ll make up for it when you’re back.”

His smile looked sincere, but she wondered if she’d shown enough regret about canceling. She stopped before the analysis paralyzed her and turned her into a babbling dork. If she wanted something different with Will, she’d have to behave differently than she had with other guys. “Maybe you should practice your bank shots while I’m away,” she said. Did that come out as a challenge or as the flirtation she’d meant it to be?

He rested his forearms on his side of the counter, bringing himself closer to eye level with her. “Maybe I threw the game last time we played.”

She licked her lips, watched his eyes follow the move. “Maybe I don’t believe you.”

“Would you believe I was distracted by the view?”

Oh, my. Her throat went dry. She desperately wanted that to be true. Just as she wanted to believe she could take some time to play a couple games of pool with him tonight and still get things ready on time, but she knew better. “I really hate that we’ll have to wait to find out,” she said at last, uncertain of the next step in the game.

He stood tall and gifted her with a smile guaranteed to keep her warm over the next three nights sleeping in a tent near the cold summit of the mountain. In that instant, she was determined to give him good reason to aim that sexy smile her way more often.

“I’ll get back to my route and leave you to it.”

“Okay.” She did a mental eye roll at that profound comeback. “I’ll see you as soon as I get home,” she added as he reached the door.

“Can’t wait.” He pushed the door open and paused. “Be safe, Charly.”

The gravity of his tone, the concern in his eyes, turned her mute. She stared as he left and passed the window. He looked back, caught her watching, and waved.

She managed to return the gesture before his long stride propelled him down the street.

“Whoa,” Tammy said from behind her. “I thought the store might catch on fire from the sparks flying.”

Not likely. But the comment made Charly feel better. She couldn’t quite believe the attraction and chemistry went both ways. “I thought you were out on errands,” she muttered, flipping through the stack of envelopes Will delivered.

“And miss that? No way.”

Charly had to laugh it off, resisting the urge to ask Tammy for how-to advice on men. “We both need to get busy,” she said and turned for her office. “We barely have enough time as it is.” It would take a concentrated effort to keep her mind on the details. She promised herself the reward for her focus now meant she could daydream about Will on the hike tomorrow.

Chapter Four

Will had spent the early-morning hours before his shift reviewing the full intel and reports from Director Casey. The capabilities of the Blackout Key Casey had outlined in the brief phone call were the tip of the iceberg.

The more he’d read and uncovered about Reed Lancaster, created a different kind of chill. If Lancaster had somehow pulled off this theft, if he had the key, this situation would get ugly in a hurry.

The man had an ax to grind with the top-level players in the technology and software development food chain. For years Lancaster had been outspoken, the proverbial squeaky wheel demanding justice from the companies he claimed had stolen his cutting-edge work and tossed him out without so much as a severance package. According to the file, Lancaster didn’t just want the Blackout Key, the damned thing was his brainchild. Though it had gone through several development stages and was most recently funded by a government research group, the technology was his creation. While nothing proved he had it, a fully developed, working version of the key could help Lancaster strike back at his perceived enemies. If he did that—and succeeded—the security protocols that protected the nation would fall like dominoes.

As Will studied the file, Lancaster’s outspoken threats didn’t bother him nearly as much as the recent silence. Men didn’t preach vengeance with such intense venom, only to walk away from it without any logical explanation. Not without a settlement or gag order. Will had combed the internet and the files and found no sign of either scenario involving Lancaster.

He’d had all of that rattling around in the back of his mind as he’d started his mail route, wondering what might bring a man like that to Durango. Nothing in the file suggested Lancaster could satisfy his revenge here, which made it more surprising when he’d spotted Lancaster’s face on a picture attached to a Binali Backcountry liability waiver as he’d delivered Charly’s mail.

The man hadn’t bothered with an alias. Bold. In Will’s experience that kind of bold meant all kinds of trouble. As he continued along his route, he prioritized the next steps: notify Casey, get a net over Lancaster. Good thing he knew where to find him. As long as Lancaster didn’t get spooked before meeting Charly for the hike in the morning.

Hard to believe Lancaster suddenly wanted to commune with nature. It didn’t make any sense. What was he after in the mountains? Nothing good, Will decided.

He stalked up the street, his nice-guy postman smile on his face, all the while knowing he couldn’t let Charly just walk out into the wilderness with Lancaster. The man and the—missing—Blackout Key he’d envisioned were wanted by nearly every federal agency in the nation. He laughed at the irony. It was possible the postal service was the only agency that hadn’t been alerted to the problem.

He spent the rest of his route brainstorming ideas to close in on the target. It would’ve been weird if he’d asked to go along. Charly would never let her new pal, the friendly mailman, tag along as an extra on what promised to be a tough three-day exercise. She had no way of knowing he could handle things as well as anyone on her staff. He needed more information about the client, the tour and who was going along, but she’d canceled their dinner and now he didn’t have easy access.

Logistically, he couldn’t tag along even if he wanted to. It wasn’t an option to take time off from the day job. He hadn’t accrued any personal days yet and maintaining cover and operation security protocol was essential to his long-term success here.

Instinct and responsibility battled inside his head as he chatted with people on his route. This new development had popped up sooner than he’d expected out of this current assignment. To be effective he had to do more than protect Charly from Lancaster. He had to approach this with a big-picture perspective. But she was leading a man wanted for questioning into the mountains and giving Lancaster too many options to avoid the authorities.

Casey would expect details, and Will wanted to give them to him. In between the stops on his route, Will sent a short text message up the line. The response was no surprise: he was tasked with observing Lancaster, but ordered not to interfere until he knew why the man was in Colorado.

Fine. Will understood how to follow orders during compartmentalized operations. It didn’t take three guesses to know what the boss was thinking: Lancaster had come to Durango for the key. So why hire Charly? An exchange of some sort had to be involved. He slowed his pace and tried to look tired. Anything to make it more believable when his boss got the call tomorrow that Will was down with a late-season case of the flu.

* * *

HOURS LATER, AS the first evening stars lit the sky over the mountains, Will’s new Jeep managed the rugged drive between the highway and the Binali property with no problem. When he’d bought the car, he’d told himself it was an investment, part of the cover for the job. And he’d been right, but soon discovered he enjoyed the rugged capability of this vehicle as much as he’d enjoyed the sleek, sexy speed of the Corvette he’d left in storage in DC.

She came around the far corner of her house as he parked next to her truck, stopping with her hands on her hips and her head tilted in a silent question.

“Hey,” he called out, pushing open his door. “Am I intruding?”

“Not really.” Her brow furrowed. “I thought we postponed.”

“We did,” he agreed with a smile. But he needed information and thought he could do something nice for her in the process. Two birds, one stone. “You have to eat, right?”

“Yeah. I can throw something together, I guess.”

She didn’t have to say it. He could see he’d made a mistake, thrown her off by showing up unannounced this way. Nothing to do but go big before she sent him home. “I brought burgers, fries and shakes.”

Her face brightened with interest. “Chocolate?”

“Or strawberry. Your choice.”

“Hedging your bets?”

“A little,” he admitted. “I didn’t even eat all the fries on the way over. Do you have time for a break?”

“Sure.” She smiled and waved him closer. “Bring it on back.”

He grabbed the takeout bags and drinks and followed her around to what appeared to be a small workshop set back from the house.

She cleared space on one end of a table loaded with all kinds of camping gear and then pulled over another stool for him.

Taking a seat, he placed a hot burger and scoop of fries in front of her and scattered a handful of ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise packets between them. “They’re both loaded with everything.”

“Sounds good. I didn’t want to postpone tonight,” she said after she’d unwrapped the burger and prepped it her way. “I was looking forward to beating you at pool again.”

He laughed as he dragged a fry through the ketchup he’d puddled on a corner of the foil wrapper. “You said it’s an early start tomorrow?”

“We’re meeting at six thirty to load up. This guy’s serious about getting the most of each and every day.”

“Hope you charged him extra.”

“Better believe it.” She shot him a wink. “My family drummed business sense into me right along with camping and tracking.”

He bit off more of the juicy burger, chewing as he looked around the workshop and up toward the mountain peaks before meeting her gaze again. “You’ve got a nice place out here.”

Her lips curved with pride. “I’ve always thought so.”

Stars came to light, more with each passing minute. He hadn’t seen a night sky so full since those long nights alone in Afghanistan. “You don’t mind being tied so closely to your family?”

“Tied?” She chuckled, brushing salt from her fingers. “It’s an honor to carry on what my elders started. Is that why you went into the navy? To get untied?”

Untied. He’d never thought of it like that. “Maybe so.” It hadn’t started that way. His parents had been proud of him...before things fell apart.

“Hmm. You really should think before you gush on and on like that,” she said with a wink.

The urge to explain his decisions surprised him. This was hardly the best time to confess his parents didn’t speak to him because his brother had died while following in his military footsteps. There was never a good time for that story as far as Will was concerned. Besides, he had a job to do here, even if the company was beautiful and friendly. “Are you meeting this guy and his team at the main park entrance?”

She nodded. “Clint’s meeting me at the shop, then we’ll meet the clients at the parking lot.” She balled up her burger wrapper and tossed it into the bag. “Clint’s so excited about the extra team challenge stuff he probably won’t sleep at all tonight.”

Will knew the type. He only had to look in the mirror. “I competed in a few challenge course events during my navy days.” He’d developed more than a few as a SEAL. He liked the way it felt when her dark eyes skated over his body. “Don’t believe me?”

“I believe you,” she said, her voice a little breathless. She cleared her throat and slid off the stool to consider the gear spread out on the other end of the long table. “We won’t be doing static courses out there.”

“Is that some sort of insult?”

“What?” She whipped around, color flooding her cheeks. “No. I would never—”

“Relax.” He came to his feet, hands out, palms open. “I was just messing with you. What kind of things does Clint have planned for the group?”

“Probably too many.” She rubbed her arms through the thick fabric of the company sweatshirt she wore and sighed. “I didn’t mean static courses were any less of a challenge than what we set up during an excursion.”

“It’s okay,” he said, rubbing her shoulder. He was flattered by her concern about offending him. It made him think he had something to look forward to with her after the Lancaster operation was complete.

The powers that be wanted Will to report Lancaster’s position, whom he met with and what items or information were exchanged. Apparently, those curious people at the top of the food chain didn’t share Will’s concern that in order for a man like Lancaster to feel safe about whatever he was up to, anyone who knew about his plans would have to be eliminated.

“I like you, Charly.” He blurted it out, immediately wishing he could reel it back in. “I’m sure you’ve got this under control, but it all sounds sudden and risky.”

She shrugged that off, clearly more comfortable with the camping prep than looking at him. “It’s sudden, but not risky.”

He listened, thinking it was too easy when she explained the route and the typical places where Clint set up various challenges and teamwork opportunities. “We’re not even doing much of the heavy lifting.”

“What does that mean?”

She rubbed at her temples, a frown marring her brow. “My client assured me his team is fit and up for anything.”

“Is there some reason to doubt him?”

She spread her hands wide and then reached for a hiking pack, stuffing supplies into pockets with an efficiency he admired. “I hope not. For their sake. The route Clint and I are taking isn’t for amateurs.”

“I’m looking forward to getting out and doing some exploring myself soon.” Right now he wished he’d done more than admire the mountains from the convenience of his route. Didn’t matter. He’d always found his assigned quarry and survived no matter the odds or terrain.

“David does river hikes a couple of times a week,” she said with a wince.

“What’s wrong with that?”

“Two things.” She balled up wool socks and tucked them into open spaces. “It’s water, which you claim to be done with.”

“And?” he prompted when she busied herself with the precise attachment of a canteen.

“Tammy is slated to go out on the next tour. She’d be ogling you the whole time, and I want her to pay attention to the tour.”

He laughed. “She ogles me every day.”

Charly giggled, then clapped a hand over her mouth. “You know?”

“I’m a mailman, not an idiot.”

“Well, you’d be an idiot to invest so much time in your body and not expect some ogling.”

“That’s a fair point.” He sent her a sideways look.

“You think I’m insulting you again.”

“No.” He stepped closer. “I say what I mean. You don’t have to put words in my mouth.”

“I’ll remember that.”

“Do.” He kept looking for an opportunity to hide a GPS transmitter on her pack. Based on the route she’d described, she’d be out of cell range before noon tomorrow. “What can I do to help?”

“Dinner was plenty,” she said with a shy smile.

He wanted to warn her, but if he said anything, she might telegraph her concerns to Lancaster. While she packed, he made a mental list of things to be aware of on the mountain. He was more than a little relieved when she unlocked a cabinet and pulled out a hefty .38 Special revolver along with ammunition and a flare gun. Not just because it gave him time to put the transmitter on her pack—he felt a little better that she was armed. “Expecting trouble?”

“Expecting is a strong word.” Her wry smile told him she’d seen her share of the unexpected. “I was raised to be prepared for any emergency. I carry the revolver as a last resort in the case of a wildlife issue.”

“Got a snakebite kit?”

“Already packed,” she replied, distracted.

He’d been kidding about that. “Isn’t it too cold for snakes to be a problem?”

She nodded. “But even when it’s cold, snakes can wake up looking for water, so I take it anyway, every time.” Her nearly black eyes met his with stark candor. “People do dumb things despite our best advice as guides.”

He’d seen the same thing throughout his military career, in every part of the world. “Stupidity is a frequent problem with humans.”

“Tell me about it,” she said. She looked around the table, but everything was already in her pack. “Mr. Lancaster assures me his team is smart, but there’s a big difference between being smart in the office and being smart in the wilderness.”

“What’s this?” He pointed to the knife she’d set apart from the other items. The dark, hand-tooled leather sheath was a work of art, and the hilt was inlaid with a stunning turquoise mosaic in the shape of a long, elegant feather. His fingers itched to pull it out, to confirm the blade matched the hilt and sheath.

Her face went soft. “A gift from my grandmother. She gave it to me before my first solo hike on Silver Mountain. I don’t go anywhere without it.” She slid it into her sleeping bag.

“You don’t wear it?”

“Sometimes.”

He considered pushing her but decided changing the subject was safer. There was more to the knife, more to her history, but she didn’t seem inclined to share more right now. “How often do you need the revolver or the flare gun?”

Her sly grin, loaded with self-confidence, brought to mind too many inappropriate, off-topic images. Later, he reminded himself. There would be plenty of time to get to know Charly on a more intimate level later.

“I’ve only used the flare gun to signal rescuers,” she said.

“When you’ve been lost?”

“No, I signal when I’ve found lost people.” She laughed. “I don’t ever recall being lost.”

“You’re kidding.” He leaned back, startled by her claim. He’d been blessed with a perfect sense of direction, as well, which came in handy.

“My grandpa used to say I had a compass where my heart should be.”

Will wasn’t sure how to respond. It seemed like a backhanded compliment, but he didn’t get the impression that Charly was the sort to put up with twisted family dynamics. He had a low threshold for drama, which was why he stayed out of his parents’ way. Better for all concerned.

“You think that sounds cold.”

“A little.”

“He meant it as the highest compliment.” She reached over and pulled apart hook-and-loop fasteners with a loud rip.

“I’m all ears.”

“Hand me those tent poles.”

He did as she asked, waiting patiently for the explanation. Instead, her phone rang, and she pulled it from her hip pocket.

It didn’t take long to realize she was speaking with the guide who’d be her partner on tomorrow’s hike. The story about her grandfather would have to wait. Will pointed from the tent to the pack, and she gave him a nod, so he finished putting her tent gear into the designated place while he listened to her end of the conversation.

Will didn’t know much about Charly’s employees, but he assumed she didn’t waste time working with anyone subpar. He might’ve found that reassuring if the circumstances were normal. He made a decision right there. If Lancaster gave Charly and her partner more than they could handle, Will vowed he’d be close enough to clean up the mess.

When she wrapped up her call, he’d get out of her way. He had his own preparations to finish and if he kept asking questions, he was bound to raise her suspicions.

* * *

CHARLY WALKED WILL out to his truck, a small part of her wishing the evening didn’t have to end so early. Who was she kidding? All of her wanted him to stay longer. “Thanks for bringing dinner by. That was a nice surprise.”

“My pleasure.” He pulled his keys from his jacket pocket. “I’m glad it worked out.”

“Me, too.” She nodded, unable to come up with any witty reply. No one but family had ever brought her dinner before a tour or kept her company during the packing. She should tell him that, let him know what it meant to her, but she knew it would come out as a lame thank-you for this or that. Why did she have to suck so badly at this kind of thing?

“Give me a call when you get back?” He opened his car door.

Grateful her lack of feminine wiles didn’t seem to put him off, she grinned up at him. In the dark, under all the stars, she let herself fantasize about how it would feel if he kissed her good-night.

She couldn’t imagine a better place for a first kiss than out here in the cold night air with the stars as silent, sparkling witnesses.

“Charly?”

“Mmm-hmm.”

“You should go inside. Get some rest.”

She felt the heat of his hand on her shoulder through the thick layers of her polar-fleece jacket and sweatshirt. The man was like a furnace and she wanted to burrow closer to all that warmth. “Right.”

Neither of them moved.

“Drive safe.”

His hand slipped away as he pulled out his keys, and she chided herself for missed opportunities. Until he caught her hand. Before she could decide what to do about that, he bent his head and brushed his lips against hers.

A fleeting kiss, over almost before it started, but it rocked her world. “I’ll call when I get back,” she promised, knowing she was grinning like a fool.

He settled into the driver’s seat, his lips tipped up on one side in a cocky smirk. She couldn’t find a reason to be annoyed with the expression.

She stayed put, like any girl crushing hard on a boy, and watched until his taillights disappeared down the road. She wasn’t sure how she’d get to sleep now, but if she did manage it, she knew she’d dream of Will.

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