Page 61 of Lost Trust

I sigh and turn back toward the fire.

I have to stay away from Royce Trust this summer.

Because something tells me that man is going to be nothing but trouble.

Royce

I step out of my cabin and pull the door shut behind me, locking it before heading down the steps.

It’s the one Axle stayed in last summer, tucked beside the clinic instead of over with the other instructors.

He made me move in here because, according to him, there was no damn way he was letting anyone else bunk beside Jovie while he was gone.

I still laugh about it.

That cabin is the reason my tough-as-nails brother ended up with Jovie in the first damn place. Forced proximity has a funny way of breaking down a man’s resolve. Ax fought his feelings for that woman out of respect for Cabe like they were an opponent he could beat in the arena.

He lost.

I’m still grinning when the door to the neighboring cabin opens.

Axle steps out, his hair damp from a shower, a suitcase in one hand and a duffel slung over his shoulder.

He spots me locking up. “Where the hell are you headed this early?”

“Jackson Hole. I’ve got an appointment at St. John’s Health. MRI.”

His brows draw together. “I thought that was next week.”

“The hospital called this morning. Had a cancellation.” I pocket my keys. “They rescheduled me for this afternoon. Three o’clock.” The lie comes out easy.

Axle looks at his watch. “Then why are you leaving at seven thirty?”

“I’m taking Rina to the airport first.”

The door behind him opens again.

Jovie steps outside, holding a to-go coffee cup. She walks straight to Axle, presses it into his hand, then wraps both arms around his waist like she has every intention of keeping him right where he is.

Axle looks down at her with that soft expression he only seems to have for her and kisses the tip of her nose.

“I can take Marina to the airport,” he tells me. “That’s where I’m headed anyway. I’ve got a flight to catch to Reno.”

Jovie gives him a sharp elbow in the ribs.

Axle looks at her. “What?”

She just shakes her head.

“I don’t mind taking Rina,” I say. “I figured we could grab breakfast on the way.”

His eyes come to mine as realization dawns across his face.

“Oh,” he says, nodding. “Well, I guess it’s lucky the hospital had that cancellation, then.”

“Yeah.”

Jovie looks between us. “Whatever gets you to that appointment,” she says.