Chapter

Five

Lizzy liked the large, warm pool with all the massage jets and the hot tub much better than the steam room or cold plunge.

They went through each of the massaging jets slowly, appreciating the water pounding on sore muscles.

She liked leading Chase to the next spot, being the one in charge of such a tough and attractive man, and having the excuse to take his hand, touch his arm or shoulder, or brush close to him.

It was odd. She felt powerful and safe. None of her boyfriends would have been secure enough to let her lead them like this. Chase was as unique, enticing, and mythical as the gorgeous scenery outside the windows.

After the pool, they relaxed and downed their water bottles and Propel and Gatorade while they soaked in the elevated hot tub and she enjoyed the epic view.

She felt a little guilty that Chase still had the blindfold on and couldn’t stare at all the gorgeous scenery out here.

He’d been great about wearing it and he looked really cute.

She’d said she was trusting him, and she found it was more true with each moment that passed as he allowed her to not have him look at her scar until she was ready.

He also put his trust in her and let her lead him around.

They’d broken touch barriers she thought were firm in her mind after Darren’s mistreatment.

“I feel awful that you’re missing this beautiful scenery,” she said.

“I want to see it through your eyes,” Chase said with an appealing smile. That smile was quickly becoming irresistible. “Describe the view for me, please.”

“All right. It is the most magical scenery I have ever seen in my life. The verdant green grass sweeps down to the lake and up to the foothills of the soaring mountains. The sun glistens off the blue water of the lake.” The blue matched his eyes, actually.

“Large and small boats skim across the glassy water, the occupants savoring a grand adventure. The town is as quaint and European as I’d dreamed it would be, with ancient buildings and church steeples.

The mountains protect and watch over the valley, sentries who have never failed this history-rich land. ”

He was grinning. “That’s much more beautiful than I could see it through my eyes.”

“Ha. You’ve probably seen the world.”

“I have, on assignments and deployments, but not as some world traveler. Have you traveled?”

“Never.”

His brow squiggled as if concerned.

“Tell me where you’ve been,” she rushed to ask so he wouldn’t ask why she’d never traveled.

No money was the answer. She, her mom, and Janie daydreamed a lot and shared social media posts of epic places to travel and clothing and beauty products they’d never be able to afford.

They would be excited when she brought home all the beautiful clothes and high-dollar beauty products Madelyne had purchased for her.

She’d conserve the toiletries so she had more to share with them.

“The most scenic places I’ve been to are Vietnam, New Zealand, the Philippines, Thailand, and Fiji. Lush and green and amazing mountains and lakes and villages like this.”

“Sounds dreamy.”

He was dreamy, and she was getting far too caught up in him, far too quick.

The speed that he was yanking her in emotionally should be a red flag, but Chase was tough to resist. The man was wearing a blindfold made from her T-shirt in a hot tub to help her feel comfortable.

He’d been wearing a blindfold or closing his eyes for over an hour now and allowing her to lead him around.

What kind of tough guy did that? Chase, apparently. She told all manner of children and friends and church members that she loved them. She wanted to shout it to Chase but was afraid he’d get the wrong idea. “Where’s the ugliest place you’ve been?”

He grimaced. “Iraq.”

She could imagine he meant the landscape as much as the warfare.

“And the prettiest?”

“Here, of course.” His smile returned.

“Me too! So pretty. Where did you grow up?”

“‘Hey … I’m from Georgia,’” he sang, loud and proud.

“Now that was impressive.” She didn’t recognize the singer he was impersonating, but it was cute. “You should be a singer. I love your voice.” His voice was lyrical, sensual even. Thankfully she didn’t let those words out.

“Ah, thank you kindly ma’am,” he drawled. “Kansas for you?”

“Yes, sir. Sprawling prairie. Goes on for miles—like your green forests, I imagine.” She’d seen pictures of the greenery in Georgia. No mountains but loads of trees.

“Yes, ma’am. I love it. Georgia will always be home.”

She was glad he had a home, even if he didn’t have a solid family base. “But you don’t live there now?”

“No. I’m a police officer in a small valley in northwestern Arizona.”

“Why not Georgia?”

He shrugged, the muscles in his shoulders engaging.

“Different experience. Jade Valley is the complete opposite of this and doesn’t fit its name.

” He gestured with his hand. “Very different from Georgia too. Tall, red sandstone cliffs, red rock, intriguing desert plants and wildlife. The hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing are amazing there. None of that in Georgia.”

She understood the love of mountains and this gorgeous scenery, but she couldn’t imagine permanently leaving Kansas.

“Can you tell me about your friend group? Was it Squad 7?”

“Squadron 7.” He smiled. “That is a great subject.”

He spoke with pride about Robbie, his closest friend who had been an Army Ranger with him and now worked for the Aiden Porter.

Next was Nelson, the contractor cowboy who still managed to be a pretty boy.

Parker, the joker and computer genius. Emmett, the football hero, a wide receiver for the Titans.

Rockwell, the toughest and most standoffish of any of them but with a heart of gold.

And finally Brandon, who everybody knew and loved, the prankster and playboy of the group.

Lizzy responded effusively about each of them, grateful he had such a solid group of friends. She had little desire to meet any of them. They each sounded intimidating in different ways. Yet she’d met Brandon and Rockwell. They’d both been kind.

“Brandon, Madelyne, and Rockwell all praised you,” she told him.

“As they should.” He grinned, obviously teasing. “Seriously, that means a lot. Thank you for telling me.”

There was silence for a beat. She wanted to praise him, but it was premature.

“Well, I’m pruned and ready to shower and eat dinner,” she said. She was hungry but reluctant to get out and spoil this time together. “What do you think?”

“Do I get to remove the blindfold?”

“When you’re alone in your own room.” She laughed but then said, “Seriously, Chase, thank you. It … means a lot.”

“Of course.”

“Are you ready to get out?”

“Would you mind leading me to the pool, taking the blindfold off, and I’ll close my eyes until you’re gone? I want to swim some laps to counteract all the time sitting on the plane. I can bet I’ll shower and get ready for dinner faster than you.”

“That’s a safe bet to make. Sounds like a plan.”

Lizzy put the two empty water bottles in his free hand and took the Gatorade and Propel in hers, then led him with his other hand out of the hot tub, directing him to a garbage where they threw everything away.

She helped him sit on the side of the pool, savoring the incidental touches of his hand and arm.

Kneeling down behind him, she untied her shirt and freed his eyes.

She quickly smoothed it out. Trying to slide the damp shirt over her head was ridiculous and sticky. Finally, she tugged it into place.

Chase still had his eyes squeezed shut. He was handsome and such a great guy.

She bent close and softly whispered in his ear. “You can look now. I put my shirt back on.”

His head whipped around, and he was so close their lips barely missed each other. She startled but didn’t pull away as her stomach flip-flopped in a good way, not nerves like she was accustomed to.

His blue eyes penetrated through to her soul, and she had never been tempted to lean in and kiss some man she’d just met like she was at this moment.

She needed to keep her head on straight. No whirlwind romances.

Easing back, she smiled. “Thanks again. I’ll see you soon.”

He nodded, studying her face as if drinking it in.

She stood and walked toward the stairs, sweeping up her shorts. Amazingly, her legs felt rejuvenated, and she walked as straight as she ever did. She didn’t even mind him watching her walk away.

“Lizzy?” Chase’s voice carried to her.

She turned to look at him. He hadn’t moved from the side of the pool.

“I didn’t mind the blindfold, but thank you for taking it off so I could see the scenery.” His gaze was completely focused on her face, not the epic scenery beyond the pool and patio.

“It’s gorgeous, isn’t it?” She gestured toward the outside world.

“Yes, it is.” Again, he only studied her.

She blushed and grinned at him, touched deeply by the compliment.

Then she turned and started up the stairs, gripping the handrail but only lightly. He was watching her go. She hadn’t shown him the scar on her chest or told him about the weakness in her legs, but she was trusting him to watch her walk away.

Lizzy felt gorgeous in his eyes.

She wasn’t certain what to make of this connection or Chase, but he’d done more to alleviate her fears and help her trust him in an hour than she would’ve thought possible.