He moved past her, walked to the sliding glass door, and opened theblinds.
Mia followed him and found herself looking out onto a postcard. “Wow.”
Through aspens, she could see a valley stretching out before them, ringed with high mountains. A mansion—she didn’t know what else to call it—sat in the middle of that valley, stables and barns on one side of it, men going about theirchores.
“They own all of this. See that big house, the place you called a hotel last night?Thatis where theylive.”
“I called it a hotel? I don’t rememberthat.”
“You were pretty out ofit.”
“This is just a guestcabin?”
“I think they rent it out to hunters. They stocked the kitchen for us, split and stacked firewood, and even left a shotgun and shells for us.” Joaquin pointed to the Winchester 12-gauge leaning up against the wall. “They thought of everything. There’s even a wine cellar—a wine pantry, really—and wine chilling in thefridge.”
“Why would they do this?” Mia wasn’t used to acts of generosity on this scale. “They don’t even knowme.”
Joaquin turned to her, drew her into his arms. “Hunter is part of their family through his sister Megan’s marriage to Nate. Nate and I are friends, and you’re my friend. My group of friends—we help each other out. We take care of ourown.”
“I like that.” She rested her head against hischest.
“The Wests are great people. I’ve been here before to ski and barbeque. They hold the best barbeques. They’ve let me ride around their property taking photographs in exchange for photos of their horses.” He kissed the top of her head. “Why don’t I get a fire going, and we can makebreakfast?”
“As long as we start with coffeefirst.”
He grinned. “Sí, claro. You think I’mloco?”
* * *
Joaquin scrolledthrough his text messages and emails, trying to catch up with everyone while Mia made more coffee. He had already called his mom and dad to tell them what had happened and let them know that he and Mia were okay. He’d left it to them to pass the word to Elena and everyone else via the family website and had promised to get in touch again when he had morenews.
Matt had messaged him to let him know Tom was out forblood.
Sophie had sent a text urging him to becareful.
Kara McMillan, who had once worked with the I-Team but was now a freelance journalist, had texted him to ask what the hell was goingon.
Tessa Darcangelo, Julian’s wife and another former I-Team reporter, had also texted, saying that she’d heard what had happened from Julian and that she hoped the cops caught the bastardsoon.
Holly Andris, another former co-worker who now worked for a private security firm, had told him to stay safe and offered to set up a consultation with her boss, Javier Corbray, to come up with a securityplan.
Stay safe! Also, who is this Mia???? I’m dying to meet her! If she’s woman enough to interest you, she must bespecial.
Kisses,
Holly
Her message made Joaquin smile,but that was Holly to a T—always looking at the light side oflife.
Mia set a fresh mug of coffee down beside him. “A lot of people care aboutyou.”
“I’m lucky.” Hewaslucky, but it bothered him that Mia didn’t have what he had—a big family and a close circle of friends. He got to his feet, picked up his coffee. “It’s time to face the music. I’ve got to callTom.”
She gave his arm a squeeze. “Goodluck.”
He walked out onto the deck so that Mia wouldn’t have to hear his conversation with Tom and worry. Tom yelled at Joaquin for a solid two minutes about not returning texts, pages, and calls, and then asked him if he was okay. Then he asked Joaquin to tell him what thehellwas going on between him andMia.
So, Joaquin told him, leaving out his feelings for her or the fact that they had kissed. That was none of Tom’sbusiness.