Page 39 of His Forgotten Colton Fiancee

“Deal?”

Such hope in his deep voice. This had to be difficult for him, if they’d shared the relationship he claimed.

“Deal. As long as I’m free to kick you out if I feel the need. And you keep to yourself.”

He held up two fingers, pressed together. “Scout’s honor. And if I’m anything less than a gentleman, feel free to sic Rex on me. Better yet, serveme some of that gluten-free pizza you were always pushing on me.”

A faint smile touched her face. “I have a feeling you’d rather face an angry dog than a meal you can’t stand.”

His grin was wide. Endearing. “You got it.”

So cute. Handsome and charming. Could this FBI agent really be hers?

Or was he pulling a trick to try to get close, get to know her, maybe get something out ofher?

The nurse came in, bearing a sheaf of papers. “Doctor’s ready to discharge you, Miss Colton.”

Quinn eyed West. “All right. Let’s do this. Let’s go home.”

Wherever home was.

* * *

Two hours later, West pulled up to a small storefront on Main Street. Dismay filled her. She was hoping for some rambling, big house where she could have plenty of space to herself. And avoidclose contact with this man, who seemed determined to stick to her.

“This is it?”

“You live above the store. Got a break in the price from the Larsons for renting both the storefront and the upstairs apartment.” West switched off the engine. “I left Rex upstairs, waiting for you, guarding the place. If anyone tried to break in to plant another bomb, Rex would have him for breakfast.”

Good thinking.

“It looks old,” she murmured, studying the front.

“The historical flair to the building is one reason you liked it. The apartment is quaint, but the kitchen has been fully modernized for your business.”

West Brand knew more about her business, and her home, than she did. Before she could even open the door, he was outside, sprinting around the truck to open it forher. Instead of assisting her out, West scooped her into his arms.

Blinking in stunned amazement, she watched him kick the door shut with a foot. “I’m not an invalid,” she told him, scowling.

“No, but those stairs are steep, so let me be your elevator.”

What did you say to a charming man who insisted on carrying you like a bride? Quinn felt too weary to argue.

Brayden and Shanepulled up behind West, and her brothers opened the door to the shop.

They all walked inside. The big, burly man with the gun at his hip standing near the entrance introduced himself as Tom, an old friend of Brayden’s. He would stand guard over her shop and the apartment during the day, while another man replaced him at night.

Quinn took an appreciative whiff of the air. The faint smellof spices and food teased her appetite, but nothing looked familiar.

Brayden and Shane studied her. “Anything?” Shane asked.

“No.” She frowned. “Please stop staring at me as if I’m a monkey in a circus.”

She pointed to the floor. “Please put me down. I need to see my store. You two—” she pointed to her brothers “—can go upstairs.”

“Bossy,” Shane said, grinning.

“As ever. Guessthis means she’s feeling better.” Brayden winked.