CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Renner

Eleven Months Later

 

A caravan of cars pulled up the long, dirt drive. Renner stood on the main log cabin’s front porch, his sunglasses perched on his nose and hands behind his back. The cars stopped, and out climbed his principals.

Very important guests to guard with his life. For the whole weekend.

A dozen grinning kids piled out of minivans and SUV’s, each with pristine uniforms and overloaded backpacks.

Not pristine for long.

Several dads and a few moms gathered more gear from the trunks, and corralled behind the boys.

“Welcome, Troop 155!” he called.

They cheered, all lining up at the bottom of the porch steps, with their eager faces looking up at him. This was his favorite age. Six and seven year olds. So open to learning, and loving the silly side of life. Too young to worry about being cool or bugged by peer pressure, but old enough to appreciate the luxury of getting dirty.

“You guys look awesome! Are you ready to earn your survival badges?”

“Yes!” they screamed.

“You better be, or I’ll sic the bears on you.” A few scared faces blinked at him, while others grinned.

A few parents chuckled.

Renner smiled. “These bears.” He turned and motioned to Max, who carried a large basket of teddy bears in Boy Scout uniforms. “These ferocious animals will be waiting for you at the end of the trip, with your badges attached to their sashes.”

A few boys clapped, others cheered. From their shuffling feet, he could tell they were anxious to get started. So was he.

“I’m Renner Shaw, and this is Max Fogle. We’re your guides for the weekend. By the end of this trip, you will all know how to survive in the wilderness. Survival skills including starting a campfire, pitching a tent, tracking animals, and reading a compass. For extra fun, you’ll have the chance to earn a bonus badge for star navigating.”

One boy with black hair in front waved his hand. “Will we learn how to shoot?”

“Yes!”

A few parents looked at each other, their smiles instantly vanished.

“With a bow and arrow,” Renner amended. “Archery. Another badge opportunity.”

“Sweet!” The kid gave his friend a high-five.

“Are you a soldier?” another child asked from the back.

Renner raised an eyebrow. “Why do you ask?”

“Cuz you look like one.”

Max chuckled behind him. “What does a soldier look like?”

“Really short hair, big boots, and big arms. Just like yours.”

He chuckled. Who can argue with that logic? “Yes, Max and I were both Marines. Now, are we ready to get started?”

They cheered again, and everyone followed him over to the lake, where they’d start with putting up their tents and going over the rules.

An hour later, Renner helped a young scout light the kindling for his campfire. When the first embers sparked to life, the smile on the boy’s face filled him with internal warmth.

“Renner.” Max came over carrying some sticks. “A few stragglers just showed up. Can you check them in?”

“Yeah, I’ll take care of it. Sam,” he turned to the scout. “Show Max how big this campfire is going to be.” He winked.

Cottonwood blossoms on the ground softened his steps, the remnants of a warm spring fading away, and welcoming the summer heat. However, a cool breeze promised at least one more semi-chilly evening. The blooms rose in the air around his head, and he turned the corner at the main cabin.

“Mom, they’ve already started,” a young voice called, one vaguely familiar. A boy ran around the silver SUV. Blond hair and blue eyes, sporting a crisp scout uniform.

“Landon?” he muttered, almost to himself.

The boy stopped, and smiled.

“Landon, honey, wait for me.” The SUV door shut, and a woman appeared.

The woman.

Her glorious sunshine hair was held back by dark shades on her head. Shimmering forest-green eyes—like the trees over their heads—stared at him, her mouth agape.

“Cassie.” Her name came out like a melody, two syllables he’d barely uttered in eleven months. Too painful to say, but he’d dreamed about her constantly.

“Renner!” Landon ran over to him. The kid was so tall, and he was growing into cheeks. “Are you here for the Cub Scout campout, too? Where’ve you been?”

He remembers me? “Uh…I’ve been here. You look awesome, buddy.”

The boy beamed and grabbed his sash. “I’ve got six badges already. Wanna see?”

Renner couldn’t take his gaze away from Cassie. The light in her eyes accentuated the astonishment on her face.

“What are you doing here?” Her arms were full of gear, pulling her light blue, buttoned shirt tighter at her breasts. The pink tinge to her cheeks gave off an angelic aura.

“This is my place.”

Cassie glanced at the log cabin. “Clipper Campgrounds?”

“I bought the property last year.”

Her eyes widened, and those luscious pink lips of hers looked as if they tried to form words, but nothing came out.

“Here, let me help you with that stuff.” Renner surged forward and grabbed a few bags off her shoulders, and pulled the cooler behind him.

She absently walked beside him, looking between him and her son running ahead to join his friends. The fresh, plum scent from her hair filled the air.

“Are you still…with the agency?”

“I quit.”

Cassie blinked. Then a smile graced her face. Breathtaking.

“What about you?” he asked. “Have you been seeing anyone?”

She paused and inhaled.

“Cassie! So glad you could join us.” Their troop leader came around his half-constructed tent. “Where’s Clyde?”

“He got stuck at work this weekend. A big case landed on his desk.”

“Bummer,” the troop leader’s dropped tone was genuine. “Come set up over here. Landon’s already dropped off his bag.”

Renner’s stomach crumpled in on itself at the mysterious Clyde.

She’s dating someone.

He followed Cassie to the other side of the campfire, pretending to be unaffected by the realization that she was not only seeing someone, but said-someone was supposed to be here this weekend.

Perhaps he should be grateful that the guy wouldn’t be here. Tormenting his grief.

Renner dropped the bags by Landon’s backpack, and forced himself to put on his survival-guide face. She’s a client. “Go ahead and set up your tent. We’ll start the nature hike shortly.”

“Thanks.” Her eyes pleaded with him to stay. “Where are you—”

“I’ll be back in a minute.” He had to step away. Staring into those eyes, knowing they looked at someone else with the affection he’d wanted so badly—had dreamed of countless nights—ripped him apart.

After all this time, his feelings hadn’t even dulled. Which became perfectly clear to him the second he’d seen her.

He had to regroup. Refocus.

The cottonwood blossoms flattened under his feet as he retreated to the main cabin. The torment was worse because she looked so amazing. Her hair was longer, with new strawberry highlights layered in. Her curves had an additional fullness to them, no longer as thin as a toothpick. Even more attractive than before, if that were possible.

Happiness looked good on her.

So be happy for her.

He’d predicted she’d find someone and love again. Too bad he was right.

Renner went straight to the supply cabinet, and pulled out an extra med kit, a few bottles of insect repellent, and his whistle. Lastly, he grabbed the scavenger hunt lists.

A dozen boys would find bird’s nests, deer tracks, acorns, certain flowers and berry bushes, and various other items on a hunt that would take most the afternoon. The hunt finished its trail leading them to a special treasure chest. Full of the materials they’d need to make s’mores this evening, along with a bunch of small toys.

He placed his hands on the counter. Grounding himself to the task was the first step. This new job Renner loved had to be his main priority. He’d been looking forward to this survival group for weeks.

The first major reservation of the season, and he’d gone all out to make it extra special.

So make it special for them. For Landon.

“Do you have any insect repellent?”

He looked up. Cassie stood in the doorway. He hadn’t even heard her hiking boots clomp up the steps. The clean and shiny rubber soles had probably never been worn before. Also looking brand new were those jeans. Curvy and form-fitting along every inch of her long legs.

“Landon left his at home,” she added with a smile.

Renner swallowed. “Sure.” He reached into the supply cabinet and grabbed an extra bottle for her. “When did Landon join Cub Scouts?”

She stepped forward, her hands behind her waist. “Right after you mentioned you were in Boy Scouts.”

He stared. “Seriously?”

Cassie nodded, the adorable smile forming a small dimple on her cheek.

“Good for him.” He set the bottle on the counter.

She leaned her elbows on the edge, taking and rolling the spray between her fingers.

“You should use some, too. That perfume of yours will attract every mosquito in the park.”

Cassie nodded, and then pressed her lips together. “When did you quit the agency?”

He closed the cabinet and locked it. “That night.”

Her gaze shot to his face. Her piercing green eyes widened. “You didn’t find your purpose there?”

“Actually, I did.”

She cocked her head to one side, and her eyebrows furrowed.

Renner smiled. “You reminded me of something I loved once. Something I was good at.”

“You seem very good at multiple things.” The corner of her mouth lifted.

He chuckled. Her implication wasn’t missed. Not that he liked to brag about it, but he liked to think he could please a woman to keep her wanting more. Well, except one. The one that mattered. “When you mentioned Clipper Campgrounds that night, a little light switched on in my mind. A few months later, I dug into my savings, joined in with my buddy, and bought the property.”

Her eyes shimmered in the light from the window.

“In a way.” He crossed his arms across his chest. “You helped me find my purpose. So, thank you.”

Cassie’s stare, intent and focused, lasted longer than he expected. “You’re welcome.”

He forced a sigh. “How’s life?”

She paused again. Unsettling, and equally mesmerizing. “Full of color.”

The comment should have lifted his spirits, and he almost smiled. But it was hard to hold back the grimace. “With Clyde?”

Her smile flickered. “Clyde?”

“The guy you’re seeing. I’m happy for you.” If Renner said it enough times to himself over the weekend, he might actually believe it.

Cassie blinked, and then stifled a laugh. “My brother.”

He paused. “Oh.” He blinked, and inhaled. “I assumed you were—”

“No.” She smiled and straightened, still holding the insect repellent. “My brother volunteered to take Landon to den meetings every week. Ever since my son joined Cub Scouts, he’s been a happier kid. Helped him through his grief.”

“Good.” Renner nodded. “He deserves to be happy.”

“So, I should thank you for that.”

He shrugged, more to keep his nerves from unraveling. Being this close to her, and those incredible lips of hers, frayed the rope around his restraint. Her intoxicating scent would drive him mad. Renner tightened his arms, inadvertently flexing his biceps. “You deserve to be happy, too.”

She sighed, and the pink in her cheeks reddened. “I’ve tried to be.”

Part of him wanted her to expand on that statement. Another part of him didn’t. He didn’t want to know if she’d been dating anyone. If she chose to try a relationship with someone else, and not him. Perhaps she couldn’t see herself dating a former escort. A former Knight. He gritted his teeth. The job was supposed to be temporary, only until he figured out his next move. It didn’t define him as a person.

Renner couldn’t regret the experience. He’d met Cassie. The beautiful, sunflower-haired siren in front of him. Who’d led him here.

His new purpose.

“Turns out,” she continued, transferring the bottle to her other hand. “Not everyone can make me smile the way you can.”

His gaze snapped to hers. She stood on the other side of the counter, merely an arm’s length away. “Have you tried?” His voice was low. Rolling through his body at the possibility.

Is she saying what I think she is?

Cassie shrugged. “It’s hard to have any second dates when I’m constantly comparing them to the three we had.”

His chest expanded. “You consider those dates?”

“I paid for them. Or, some of them.”

“Those weren’t real dates. At least, not the ones you paid for.”

“What would you have called them?”

A hum echoed through Renner’s body, a familiar and potent urging. “Appetizers.”

The rest of her face pinked, and her lips parted. She slowly walked around the counter, and stopped directly in front of him. Mere inches away from the rumbling storm inside him. “Is there room on your camping menu for blueberry muffins?”

His heart pounded. Every part of him vibrated toward her, like gravity, at the knowledge she was free. And oh-so-willing. “Next best thing to heaven.”

There’s always room for muffins. And anything else you have in mind.

She set the spray bottle on the counter. “Then, why haven’t you kissed me yet?”

The plum scent bombarded his senses. He could almost taste her, feel her beneath him. The dream stood in front of him, centimeters away.

Renner swallowed. “The last time I did, I ended up outside, alone in the rain.”

Cassie licked her lips, which subconsciously cued him to do the same. “There’s no rain in the forecast this time.” She placed her hand over his heart, electrifying his thoughts. “Just clear skies, and starry nights.”

Her touch set him loose. He cradled her neck, and locked his lips to hers. Tasting, sucking, and devouring until he couldn’t breathe. Renner pressed her back against the counter, his hips pushing into hers.

She wrapped her arms around him, and dug her fingers into his shoulders.

Cassie was just as delicious as he remembered. This time, more alive. More energetic, more…colorful. When she scraped her fingernails down his scalp, his dick instantly responded.

A growl rumbled low in his chest.

“I’ve missed you,” he whispered. “Nothing’s changed for me. I’m still completely in love with you.” The confession lifted the weight off his heart.

She clung tighter to his neck, and slipped her knee between his legs, rubbing along his groin in just the right way. “I know,” she whispered. “I love you, too.”

When he mimicked her and rubbed his thigh into her pelvis, her knees buckled. He lifted her up onto the counter.

Her jade gaze locked with his, her face flushed. “You’re the next best thing to heaven.”