Guarding Hope

Yes, he was a handsome man, and women often took a couple of glances and even approached, but this was different. She was different. Gage felt a shift in him that shook him to the core. He even forgot to breathe for a second, catching himself with an unexpected gasp. From across the street, she stared at him until his gaze fell hard on hers.

He had no idea why his heart suddenly started acting up. It couldn’t have been because of the woman, he presumed. Perhaps the heat had gotten to him, but since it was spring and only eleven, the sun hadn’t started baking yet. He shook off the feeling in his chest and focused on her. She blanched and pretended to be looking down at a large sign next to her.

Gage moved around to get closer to the woman in the blue tourist getup to get a better look and to test her motives. She stole glances his way as if she was worried he was onto her. Gage had never had someone trailing him, but he associated with a bunch of guys in law enforcement who had crazies willing to attack their families and friends, so he was bound to end up on the radar of some nutcase.

As he got closer, she moved away, but he was close enough to take in her beauty. With slender curves and a head of shiny red hair that appeared natural, she was bringing out a side of him he hadn’t seen since his dad’s betrayal. Lust shot through Gage’s veins as he imagined what happened once they finally met. If she was genuinely stalking him, he had to say he was tempted to let her catch him. His body craved hers in a way he never expected. In fact, he made the choice to stalk her instead. Psycho or not, he wanted to know if she tasted as sinful as she looked.

Gage began following her around the Market Square, staying about ten feet back to surveil her. He should be meeting with the guys right now, but he couldn’t seem to give himself a reason to head toward the restaurant. Unfortunately, the choice was made for him. She got away when a large crowd of drunk spring breakers exited the bar. Yep, she was probably up to no good, but if he saw her again, he’d stop at nothing to get to the bottom of her surveillance of him, and her under the sheets.

Surrendering, he walked back to the cantina and went inside where Daxton Chambers and TJ Rockwell were sitting down.

“Ah, there you are. No job and still can’t show up on time.”

“Sorry, I got distracted,” he muttered, taking the seat that faced the front windows of the cantina.

TJ’s brows narrowed and lips twisted into a smirk as he repeated, “Distracted? Like a hot-chick distracted?”

“How old are you, sixteen?” Gage overreacted, giving the guys the answer they needed. Internally, Gage had felt a shift in him that resembled his need to drop law and move on to ranching. She sparked life into him with just a simple, light stalking.

“Ah, so it was a woman?” Dax laughed. He knew all about that, having had his heart taken by a woman that he almost lost.

“Fuck you both.” Gage grabbed the menu and grumbled as he looked for something light. His stomach suddenly didn’t feel settled. “I’m ready to order.” He set down his menu with both men looking at him expectantly. “What?”

“Well, who the hell is she? And did you get her number?”

“I don’t know, and no, I didn’t. I lost her in a fucking crowd of drunk shitheads.”

“Drunk at this time? Must be spring breakers.”

“Shit, if I didn’t have to go back in, I’d have a beer or two,” Chambers added, sitting back in his chair. The waitress came over after the men put down their menus and took their orders.

“Damn, that’s all you’re getting?” TJ asked Gage after he only ordered a couple of steak tacos.

“You know, you need to eat more if you’re going to be working in the sun.” TJ snapped his fingers when he saw Gage wasn’t paying attention. He kept looking out the window. “I said you need to eat more.”

“I know. I heard you the first time, but I’m not hungry. Besides, I’m not getting shit together for a while. The ranch is set up for the cattle to arrive next week. So thanks for the advice.”

“I know what’s wrong with you. You’re looking for your stalker. I can’t wait to tell Mack about this. She’s been wondering if you were going to end up with the new DA.” Daxton and Mackenzie had been married for the past year after a fucked-up situation that almost cost her life.

“No way. I’ve no interest in Monica.”

“Well, that’s clear now.”