Page 48 of The Hero She Loves

“Hey—” he grabbed her arm.

“You know,” she said quietly. “You know how this feels. You told me that soldiers you knew died, and that you couldn’t save them in time.”

His jaw worked. “Yes, but I didn’t plant the bomb that killed them. I struggle with the fucking guilt that I made it out, but—” his face twisted “—objectively, I know I did everything I could.”

He looked away at the trees. His face was in profile as he dragged in a breath.

Objectivelydidn’t mean squat when the guilt choked you. She wondered if he’d spoken to anyone else about the guilt that was eating away at him. She pressed a hand to his back, and his muscles tensed.

They might not be in a relationship, but the two of them were currently tangled up, whether they liked it or not.

“I know this is on Olson,” she said. “I’ll work through the guilt. And you need to work through yours.”

He glanced back at her, that intense gaze on her face. “Something else is driving you.” He cocked his head. “This is about your father.”

She stepped back. “I’m not talking about him.” She swallowed, her throat thick. “Not now. Not here.” She lifted her chin. “Let’s search for more booby traps.”

It wasevening when they got back to the Drifter Lake Lodge.

Jenna was quiet and she looked tired, but worse, she was still upset about the couple who’d lost their lives.

She was still blaming herself.

A part of Park was desperate to make her feel better. “You go and shower, and I’ll get us some food from Velma.”

She nodded tightly and walked into the cabin.

Quickly, he headed to the main lodge. He gave Velma and Ross a bogus story about Jenna having overdone it on the hike and being exhausted. The woman loaded him up with a tray of food.

As he entered the cabin, he was hit by steamy air and the scent of limes.

Jenna had showered and was wrapped in a big, fluffy robe, her hair still wet. She was sitting on the edge of the bed, staring at nothing.

He set the tray of food on the nightstand.

“Hey.” He sat beside her.

“Those poor people. They were just living their lives, not hurting anyone. He killed them. Brutally. He just ended them.”

“I told you that it’s not your fault.”

Sad eyes met his. “But it’s not so easy to believe that. It was my job to stop Kyle Olson.” She shook her head. “The guilt sneaks up and grabs you by the throat. And it doesn’t let go.”

“Yeah.” It was the perfect description. His hands clenched, then released. He stopped fighting his need to comfort her. He pulled her onto his lap. “Just hold onto me, Jenna.”

A sob escaped her, and she quickly turned, straddling him and holding onto him for dear life.

“I don’t cry,” she said.

“It messes with your tough marshal vibe?” He ran a hand gently up her back. “I won’t tell anyone.”

“I know. You always tell the truth.” She lifted her head. “Don’t you?”

“Yeah. Even when it sucks.” He cupped her jaw. “Tell me.”

She stiffened. “About what?”

“Your father. Why you feel so much guilt. What drives you to track down the bad guys like it’s your own personal crusade.”