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He shrugged. “Couple of years ago, we went on a mission to save a woman who worked in our office. It’s a long story, but she was taken across into Mexico by a drug cartel. We went down and got her out of there. Got into a couple of firefights. Nothing I haven’t seen in Afghanistan.”
“Wow. I had no idea.”
“Mission before I got assigned to you, I was in Columbia with a teammate freeing a corporate employee who’d been taken for ransom. Carried him to the river where Chris and Al were waiting in a fast boat to take us to the coast and out to a Navy destroyer.”
She frowned. “Were you in danger?”
“People we go up against are usually armed, so, yeah.”
“You must worry your mother to death.”
“She’s used to it, I guess. Plus, I don’t tell her much.”
“You’re close, aren’t you?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He threw a rock in the river. “I came out here for a job. Wasn’t sure I’d land here for good or not, but I liked Tri Star. Once I knew I was staying, I talked her into moving out here. I didn’t like being that far away from her, and she lived alone. Now she’s on me to give her grandkids.”
Tinsley chuckled. “Oh, my.”
“Right?”
“Do you want kids?”
“Sure. Gotta find the right woman first. I’m kind of old-fashioned that way.”
She laughed. “Do tell.”
His grin faded, and he shifted his attention to the river. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
He looked at her. “You still gonna marry Palmer?”
She stared at the river, picking up another stick and breaking it into pieces. It was the last topic she wanted to discuss. “I really should get back.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He stood and pulled her to her feet.
He captured her gaze, and she couldn’t look away. His thumbs moved over the backs of her hands. She was mesmerized. And then his eyes dropped to her mouth, and it was all over. She lifted on her toes and pressed her mouth to his. She wasn’t even sure if he expected it, but he responded quickly enough, tilting his head to the side to get a better fit. He groaned and took a step closer.
It felt so good, but she knew it was wrong. What was she doing?
She pressed a hand to his chest and broke the kiss, breathing heavily. “I’m sorry.”
“No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”
“I just…” She wasn’t sure what to say.
“Come on. Like you said, we should head back.” He walked over to the horses and held Sally while Tinsley pulled herself up in the saddle. Then he climbed on his own horse, and they rode to the house.
After removing the saddles and putting the horses in their stalls, they headed inside and said goodbye to his mother.
Tinsley gave her a hug. “It was such a pleasure meeting you, Mrs. Steele.”
“Please, call me Ellen.”
Grady kissed his mother. Then they got back in the truck.
“Thank you for today,” she said. “It was fun. I enjoyed meeting your mother.”
