“I’d appreciate that.” Still leaning against the door, he tipped his head toward the ATV. “I wouldn’t mind taking one of these for a spin.”
JoJo wiped her hands on a rag. “I’m sure Gunny wouldn’t mind if you took one out.”
“I don’t suppose you have a map of the trails out here, do you?”
She shook her head. “Now, I suppose you’re gonna ask me if I’d take you out and show you the trails?”
He grinned. “That would be nice, but I can ask RJ if you’d rather not.”
Her lips twisted. “I guess I could tomorrow. I need to plan a route for the ATV tour on Saturday.”
“And I’d love to go along for the ride.”
She nodded. “I suppose I owe it to you after I flipped you.”
Max rubbed the back of his neck. “You really don’t owe me anything, but I would appreciate it if you’d take me along for the ride.”
She walked past him out into the sunshine. “Tomorrow morning. Ten o’clock.” She kept walking, heading for the lodge.
Max gave her the space she needed and didn’t follow until a few minutes later. He was sure he’d see her again that night at the Watering Hole, if it was as busy as it was today with the lunch crowd. They could use all the help they could get to take care of the patrons.
He watched as JoJo climbed the steps and entered the lodge. Max liked how fierce she was, and he found himself looking forward to every time he saw her.
Chapter 3
“Anybody else need coffee?” RJ asked from the swinging door of the kitchen in the lodge.
JoJo raised a hand. “I’ll take some but let me come help.”
“I’d like some coffee, but I don’t mind making it.” Max started toward the kitchen.
“You can make it next time,” RJ said. “I haven’t had a chance to talk with JoJo all day.”
Max nodded and turned back to Jake.
Gunny entered the dining room as JoJo reached the swinging door to the kitchen. “Oh good, we’re all here. We can start our meeting.”
“Give us a second, Gunny,” RJ said. “We’ll be right back with coffee.”
“Let me make the coffee,” Gunny said.
“Good grief.” RJ rolled her eyes. “With everyone offering to make coffee, I’m beginning to think you don’t like the way I make it.”
“On the contrary,” Gunny said, “you make a better cup of coffee than I’ve ever managed.”
“In that case, we’ve got this,” RJ said. “Come on, JoJo.”
JoJo chuckled and followed RJ into the kitchen.
“So, tell me what’s been going on today. What have I missed?” RJ poured water into the coffeemaker and scooped grinds into the filter.
“Same old, same old,” JoJo said. “Got the tractor running, and the snowblower now works. Although why we should care about the snow, I don’t know. It’s still fall, and the temperatures haven’t gotten below forty at night.”
“It’s a little different up here in the mountains than it is in Colorado Springs,” RJ said. “We get snow here sooner than they do in the Springs. I’ve known it to snow in July.”
“I’d believe it,” JoJo said. “It gets really cold up here at night.”
“Thanks for getting the machinery up and running. What I really want to know is how are you?”
JoJo nodded. “I’m okay.”
RJ faced her, a frown puckering her brow. “Look, JoJo, I’m sorry about what happened with Roy. You know you can file charges against him, don’t you?”
“I don’t think I’ll have any more problems with him,” JoJo said. “From what Gunny said, he’s not welcome at the Watering Hole anymore.”
“How are your sessions going with Emily?” RJ asked.
JoJo shrugged. “About the same.”
RJ shot her a twisted smile as she pulled cups out of the cabinet. “That tells me a lot.”
“It’s not something I like to talk about.”
RJ pressed her lips together. “I’ve been your friend for a long time. You can tell me anything. I won’t judge, and I’m a pretty good listener.”
JoJo crossed the room and hugged her friend. “I know that, and I hope someday that I can talk to you about this. It’s just not today.”
RJ squeezed her friend hard. “I know you’re hurting. When you hurt, I hurt. Something happened while you were in Afghanistan, and I wished the hell I knew what it was. But if you’re not ready to talk about it, I’ll respect your wishes.”
“Thank you, RJ.”
RJ set her at arm’s length. “You know I love you. You’re the sister I always wanted.”
“And Gunny’s like a father to me,” JoJo said. “Without you two, I don’t know what I would’ve done when I came off active duty.”
“You’re still welcome to move into the lodge with us.” RJ stared down at her friend. “I really wish you would.”
JoJo stood back and nodded. “I know. I’m just not ready, and I don’t want to bring my troubles to you.”
“You know we’d do anything for you,” RJ insisted. “Slay dragons…throw bullies out of the bar…you know. Anything.”
JoJo gave a crooked smile. “I know, and I would do the same for you.” She drew in a deep breath and let it out. Then she pasted a smile on her face. “Let’s talk about something else, like how we’re going to support the event this politician wants to throw this weekend.”
“That’s why Gunny’s got us all gathered—so we can work out some of the details,” RJ said. “I can’t believe he didn’t tell me. I’m sure there were other supplies I could’ve picked up while I was in the Springs.” RJ smiled. “Although I’m sure, if I asked, Jake would run in and find what we need. He’s always going back and forth. I think he’s got a new lead on a guy they want to hire for the Brotherhood Protectors.”
JoJo’s brow twisted. “Seems like they’d want work before they started hiring more people.”
“His boss, Hank, thinks it’s only a matter of time before they’re inundated with work.” RJ sighed. “I hope so, because I’d like to see them stay.”
JoJo grinned.
