Mastered by Mavericks (Doms of Destiny, Colorado 3)

Nicole leaned her head into Sawyer’s shoulder.

Reed was impressed by his brother’s words. Sawyer knew just what to say and when to say it. “I thought we’d have Henry by now.”

“Henry may not be the insider, Reed.” Nicole repeated the mantra she would say anytime Henry’s name came up in the conversation. “We don’t know it’s him.”

Sometimes Reed wished he were more like Sawyer, knowing when to talk and when to shut up. “What about you, Mr. Intuitive? What are your thoughts on the topic?”

Sawyer shrugged. “I’ve never met the guy. My talents usually depend on knowing someone or at least meeting them in person.”

“Like you did with me?” Nicole asked. “You seemed to get me from the first moment we met.”

Sawyer grabbed her hand. “Exactly like that, sweetheart. Henry is innocent until proven guilty in my book.”

“What about your book, Reed?”

“Sure. Why not?”

Nicole huffed out her frustration and then began chewing on her luscious lower lip.

Reed took another bite, but no pop of flavor hit his taste buds. After swallowing the bland food, he reached over and cupped her chin. “Baby, who knows who is coming or even if anyone is coming. My vote is to pull the plug on this and get to work on finding your friend back in Chicago.”

“Please. Let’s give Alexei’s plan another day,” Nicole said. “I do have a favor to ask though.”

“Anything,” Reed said, knowing he would move mountains for her if need be.

“I’ve never missed a weekly meeting since my recovery started two years ago. I checked online before I came to Destiny to see if there was a local group session here. There is. It meets tomorrow. Do you know who runs it?”

Sawyer nodded. “Sam O’Leary. He runs several groups in town. He’s married to Ethel.”

“I thought her husband was Patrick. That’s what she called him on the phone during the fire anyway.”

“Patrick is Sam’s brother. They are both married to her.”

“Following the Destiny tradition I see.” Once again, the woman who invaded every one of Reed’s thought smiled. God, he would never tire of seeing her happy. Never.

“Patrick is the businessman. Sam is the psychologist. Neither of them can settle into retirement.” Sawyer stood up. “Let me get him for you, sweetheart.”

As his brother walked away, Reed grabbed Nicole’s hand. “What makes you think you’re an addict, Chicago? I’ve known a lot of addicts in my life and you just don’t fit the bill.”

“But I am, Reed.” She squeezed his hands with her delicate fingers. “I don’t deserve you and Sawyer. And you guys deserve better than an addict like me.”

“Baby, you’ve got it turned around. Even though you deserve better than two cowboys like Sawyer and me, I’ll be damned if I’ll ever let you go now that we’ve found you. You’re stuck with us, Chicago.”

“Sounds like you’re thinking something more permanent to me, cowboy. You always work so fast.”

“Not until you, Nicole.”

Sawyer returned with Sam by his side. Sam, like his brother Patrick, was a distinguished-looking man. Both were like grandfathers to him, Sawyer, Erica, and all the other orphans from the plane crash. Sam’s bright blue eyes shined behind the lens of his John Lennon-looking glasses. Though bald, Sam wore a full silver beard. As usual, Sam’s smile lit up the room. Reed looked over at Nicole, who was just as entranced by Sam as everyone else.

“Miss Flowers, I am so glad to finally get to meet you. Ethel has told me so much about you I feel like I already know you.” Sam offered his hand to her, which she took gladly.

“Nice to meet you, too, Dr. O’Leary.”

“Please, just call me Sam.”

“If you call me Nicole, you have a deal.”

“Done, Nicole. Sawyer said you were interested in attending a meeting I run.”