Page 4 of Mine to Possess (Veteran K9 Team #3)

Chapter Four

Betty

I ’m conflicted.

Obviously, I’m worried about my mother and want her to be safe, but at the same time, I’m enjoying my time with Barron. It’s been a long time since I’ve been attracted to a man and I was really hoping my move to Colorado would reboot my love life, not that it was successfully running in Arizona.

Plus, I doubt he’d be flirty in front of my mother. Even though we are more like sisters—especially now that I’m an adult—in the end he’d know who she was and would probably hold his tongue.

We walk through the lodge to one of the many fireplaces, this one with a cozy little loveseat in front of it and not much else. It’s off in the corner, which I guess is why nobody else has taken residence in front of it.

“You sit here and take care of my baby and I will be back with something yummy.”

I grin up at him as I plop down on the uncomfortable couch, Sarge curling up at my feet. “Yummy, huh? What happened to hot and sinful?”

“Can’t it be all three?”

“I guess I’m about to find out.”

“Don’t get in trouble while I’m gone.”

“I make no promises.”

I check my phone again as he walks away and glance at the blizzard hitting the window. It seems like it’s sleeting or hailing or something like that, but I can’t see the mountain anymore, or the ski lifts at this point.

Where is she?

I text and then call her again, trying to keep my voice calm.Would she have gone straight back to the house?

No. Never.

But if she’s not there, then where is she?

Barron approaches with a tray. “Something sweet and something savory, just in case.”

On the tray is a cinnamon roll, something that looks like a banana bread and a turkey sandwich, as well as two waters and two steamy mugs of hot cocoa. “You didn’t have to get us all this.”

He shrugs and sits down next to me. “I want to make sure you’re comfortable.”

I glance out the window one more time. “Do you think she’s okay?”

He also looks out the window and I can see the wheel spinning in his head. “Let me hit up Linc, again.”

He pulls the radio out of his pocket, and turns the volume down so it’s just for us. “Linc, do you copy?”

“Yeah.”

“I have Betty sitting with me. Any luck?”

“Not yet. I’m going to go over the top of the ridge and hit the backside of the mountain.”

Barron licks his lips and I can tell he’s worried about saying anything in front of me that might stoke my fears or spike my anxiety. “How’s the visibility up there?”

“Not great. Are you sure she didn’t go back to the house?”

I shrug. “She’s not answering her phone.”

Barron takes in a deep breath and then lets it out slowly. “Maybe we should check?”

“Okay.”

A couple minutes later, he’s handing me a bag for the food and my coat. “Where are you staying?”

“A VRBO up the hill in the Silver Mountain Aspen community.”

“In the private houses?” His raised brow lets me know he’s very aware of the opulence on the hill.

I shrug. “We’re splurging?”

“Nice splurge. How about I get my truck and pull it to the door while you stay with Sarge? I’ll carry you to the truck so you don’t have to put the ski boots back on. Then we’ll drive to your VRBO and see if we can find your mom.”

I reach out and grab his forearm before he can walk away. “Thank you for being so nice to me.”

He smiles. “You’re easy to be nice to.”

I didn’t think he meant he was going to actually pick me up, but that is exactly what he does.

I wait at the front door with Sarge, as a beautiful black Ford King Ranch pulls up.

Barron is a mountain of a man, but I’m a big girl, so I assumed he was going to help me traverse the ice and snow on the ground, not literally sweep me up in a fireman's hold and carry me to the passenger seat.

“Oh, my god. I cannot believe you did that.”

“Did what?” he asks as he sets me down and hands me the seatbelt.

“Picked me up. The ice and snow are very dangerous.”

He stops what he’s doing and looks at me, his brow furrowing, his expression incredulous. “I’m a search and rescue guy. I think I know what’s dangerous and what’s not. You and your beautiful ass might be a danger to me, but having me carry you around is about as safe as you can get.”

Reaching over me, he clicks the seatbelt into place and smiles. “Now I got you locked in, safe and sound.”

He pauses, his lips close enough I could lean forward and sneak a kiss.

Dang. I really want to too.

Dimples form in his cheeks as he presses his lips together and pulls back.

He closes the door and opens the back, calling for Sarge.

She walks over and jumps up with her front paws, but he has to lift her back end to get her in safely.

Even though it’s only a two-minute drive from the village to the house, it takes almost ten, considering the lack of visibility and the crazy people trying to leave the mountain.

“These people are going to get hurt if they drive home in this weather.”

He frowns and shakes his head. “Colorado drivers. It happens all the time. They’re trying to beat the CDOT before they close down the highway. If they can make it to the tunnel, they’ll be fine. I bet it’s not even snowing on the other side of the mountain.”

“Really? That happens here?”

“The Eisenhower Tunnel? Absolutely. It can be a blizzard on one side and a perfectly sunny day on the other.”

“Wow.”

He pulls up to the mini-mansion’s four-car garage. Unwilling to risk losing the keys, I have the garage door opener in my jacket. One click and the door opens with more than enough room for his big truck.

“Garage parking? My truck isn’t used to such luxury.”

I giggle. “It’s a lot of house for two people, but it had all the posh requirements for our girls getaway weekend.”

“What requirements are those?”

“Hot tub, fireplace, mountain views, and two luxury bedrooms. You see, I just moved here, and I really wanted to pamper my mom for the holidays.”

“Sounds like heaven.”

“Yeah.” I realize she hasn’t come to the door yet, which tells me she’s not here.

Exiting the vehicle, I enter the house and call for my mom. There’s no answer and I feel myself getting upset as Barron walks up behind me and wraps his fingers around the back of my neck, massaging gently and soothing me instantly. “It’ll be okay. Linc will not fail her, you, or me.”

As if the ski gods knew we needed them, his radio squawks.

“Barron?”

“I read you.”

“I got her, but I don’t think we’re going to make it down the mountain.”

“Why? What’s going on?” Barron’s worried gaze lands on me.

“She’s fine. She’s right here—” his voice gets muffled as he says something to my mom and her voice comes over the radio.

I sigh in relief.

“Betty?”

“Mom, are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I’m pissed, but I’m fine.”

“What happened to you?”

She growls and I can picture her rolling her eyes. “Short story: I overestimated my abilities, went to the top of the lifts, got turned around in the blizzard and ended up on the backside of the mountain.”

Linc cuts in. “We’re at Ranger Station Twelve.”

Barron nods his understanding. “And you guys can’t make it down the mountain?”

“Possibly could, but I don’t want to risk it,” Linc says.

“Any medical needs?” Barron replies.

“Negative.”

Their clipped conversation reeks of ex-military jargon. Two men who communicate all the details they need in little more than grunts and head nods.

I wonder if there’s something they’re not telling me?

“I’m sorry for ruining our game night,” my mom calls from a distance.

“It’s fine, Mom.” I roll my eyes. “We can play tomorrow.”

Barron has a quizzical look on his face, so I know I’ll be explaining it to him shortly. “Are you sure you don’t need anything?”

Linc responds. “Conditions are near white out up here and according to dispatch, the weather is only going to get worse over the next couple of hours. I got a fire going and basic provisions on me, so we’ll be good until the morning.”

“Okay. I’ll keep the line open in case you need me.”

“Roger. We’ll be fine.”

Barron sets his radio down on the counter and looks at me. “You okay?”

I shrug. “From what I can tell, Mom is not coming home tonight, but she’s safe and warm and presumably with a man who, if he had to, could kill a bear to save her life.”

At least that’s what I’m going to assume search and rescue does on a wild Colorado mountaintop.

He nods. “That about sums Linc up. I guess you’re stuck with me for the evening—if you want to be?”

I unzip my coat and shed the many layers I have on. “Are you flirting with me?”

“Has that not been obvious?” He grins.

I giggle. “No, it's pretty obvious.”

“Oh good. It’s been a long time, so I thought I was rusty.”

“It’s been a long time since you flirted?”

“Yeah, I don’t do it a lot.”

“Why not?”

“I haven’t been inspired.”

“Why me?”

He shakes his head, his eyes going to the giant window overlooking the ski resort that is currently invisible—nothing more than a blanket of white. “I don’t know. You’re beautiful, but that isn’t usually enough for me to flirt. Maybe it’s your infectious laughter I heard yesterday?”

“You heard me laughing yesterday?”

“Oh yes. Linc and I both noticed you and your… mom almost immediately.”

“You’re having a hard time with the fact that she’s my mother and not my sister, aren’t you?”

He shrugs and unbuttons his coat. “It means I’m old enough to be your father.”

“That’s not a problem for me. Is it a problem for you?”

His dark green eyes sparkle as his lips spread into a wicked smile. “I have no problems.”

“Good. Are you hungry?”

“Are you inviting me to stay for dinner?”

“Wasn’t that obvious?”

“Does that mean I get to join game night too?”

I raise my brow in challenge. “You don’t know what game we’re playing.”

He shrugs, his eyes glued to mine. “I doubt I’ll care, as long as I’m playing with you.”

Naked Twister it is.

We’ve held intense eye contact for over a minute, but that cheesy line makes me laugh and roll my eyes. “Whatever.”

Barron cups my cheek before I can turn away. “Don’t discount my enthusiasm to spend a snowy day locked indoors with a beautiful woman. I don’t care what we do. I’m just happy to be spending time with you, Betty.”

Oh man—I need to shed layers because my insides are burning up. “I’m going to change. I’d offer you some clothes, but…”

“I have a bag in the truck, if you’re okay with me also changing into something more comfortable.”

“Of course, get as comfortable as you want.” I point at a door behind him. “There’s a bedroom over there.”

“I’d love a tour. I’ve never been in a multi-million dollar home before.”

“You’re on.” I grab our jackets and hang them on the hooks near the mudroom door. Standing at the base of the stairs, I glance over my shoulder and throw him a flirty wink. “I’ll meet you here in ten minutes.”

Quickly climbing to the second-floor bedrooms, I pull my cable-knit sweater over my head and shuck the overalls of my pants off my shoulders.

Shedding my clothes, I walk into the bathroom with my mind fixated on the last time I shaved my legs.

Let’s face it, I really want to kiss Barron and I’m pretty sure he wants to kiss me—and if we kiss, there’s a good possibility we’re going to do more.Considering the last time I’ve worried about a man touching my bare legs was forever ago, I’m not the best at making sure I shave my legs every day.

Not since I moved away from a city with an infinite supply of short wearing days.

I take one look in the mirror at the mascara rings around my eyes and dried sweat plastering my hair in different directions, and can’t believe this man’s been flirting with me at all.

How embarrassing.

I strip my clothes and turn on the shower, quickly washing my face and hair before shaving my legs. The hot water feels amazing and definitely has me looking forward to hot tubbing later.

I wonder if Barron would want to soak with me?

I’ve never jacuzzi’d with a man before, but it sounds sinfully perfect.

We didn’t have one in Arizona and hot tubs aren’t necessarily the most popular items when you live in a place that is typically over one hundred degrees, but the idea of being near naked, bubbles and jets pounding your body while also being pounded into…

Hot!

I’ll have to figure out how to slip it into the conversation—and soon.