Defending Everly (Mountain Mercenaries #5)(46)

“Yeah. What’s the latest on the search for the culprit? Have the other girls been able to shed any light on what happened?” Harlow asked.

“Not really. They had more information than Elise, simply because they could hear, but so far, every lead has been a dead end. It’s maddening.” Everly sighed. “Not to be rude . . . but do you think we could talk about something else? Not that I don’t want you guys to know stuff about my sister and what’s going on, but I’ve literally not thought about anything else in way too long.”

“Of course!” Chloe exclaimed. “How rude of us. How about this . . . what are you and Elise doing this weekend? Harlow is using us as guinea pigs for her next cooking class. She runs through recipes with us first, before going into local women’s shelters and helping teach the residents how to cook quick, healthy meals.”

“I’d love that,” Everly said, then turned to Harlow. “How’d you get into that?”

Harlow went into the story about how she’d been hired to be one of two full-time chefs at a women’s shelter that had burned to the ground, and now she was doing what she could to help women trying to get back on their feet, teaching them how to cook on a limited budget.

“I know Morgan’s story,” Everly said after Harlow was done explaining how she and Black had gotten together. “But I don’t really know the rest of yours.”

“I’m a dancer,” Allye said. “Some weirdo got it in his head that he wanted me for his personal collection because of my hair and eyes. I had left town, but he started kidnapping my friends, so I went back.”

“Oh shit!” Everly breathed. “And Gray let you?”

Allye winced. “Well . . .”

The others chuckled.

“Not exactly. I kinda left town without him knowing. Yes, that was stupid, and yes, the bad guy got me . . . I think you know that.”

Everly nodded.

“But the Mountain Mercenaries came and found me. I still dance for a troupe in Denver now and then, but my passion is teaching kids, especially special-needs kids, right here in Colorado Springs.”

“My brother had me doing taxes for the Mob, and he held me hostage in our dead parents’ home because he wanted to get his hands on my mom’s money,” Chloe said matter-of-factly. “The Mob got involved, and they took me, but then they actually let me just walk out of their compound up in Denver. Ro and the others were all ready to storm the castle, so to speak, and then there I was, walking out. It was surreal.”

“And your brother?” Everly asked.

“Not a problem anymore,” Chloe said succinctly. “Anyway, I don’t work full-time now, but I used to be a financial adviser. I still have my official certifications and everything. I’m sure you probably have your shit together, but if you ever want any financial advice, I’m happy to help.”

“Thanks. I was good, but now with Elise living with me, I probably should rethink some of my investment strategy,” Everly said.

“I’m no good with money, and I probably couldn’t fight my way out of a paper bag,” Morgan said, “but if you want a nice jar of fresh honey, I’ve got you covered.”

Everly laughed. “I’d love that.”

“Arrow and I are building a house up in Black Forest, and I went ahead and got a hive going—a good distance away from the construction, of course. I can’t wait for the house to be done so we can truly settle in.”

“Morgan is a motivational speaker,” Allye said. “She goes around to schools and conferences and things and talks about overcoming obstacles and making the most of your life.”

Everly was impressed. She’d seen her share of women who never got over the things that happened to them. They let their attacker, abuser, or crappy situation get the better of them, often repeatedly. They turned to drugs to self-medicate and turned off their emotions. From where she was sitting, Morgan was one hell of a woman.

“What happened to me sucked,” Morgan said. “There’s no getting around that. But I only have one life to live. If I let one year ruin the next forty, what does that say about me? Besides, I have a hell of a lot to live for.”

“You certainly do,” Allye said emphatically.

Morgan smiled at her friend. “I mean, outside of the normal lot to live for.” Her hand went to her belly. “I’m pregnant,” she whispered.

Her announcement set up a flurry of congratulations and excitement from the others at the table. So much so that the guys came over to make sure everything was all right. After much assurance, and more congratulations from the men, things calmed down, and the women were alone once again.

“I guess that means you were able to get over your mental roadblock when it came to sex,” Chloe quipped.

Everly thought it was kind of an insensitive thing to say, but since Morgan just grinned, clearly she didn’t think so.

“Obviously. And it took way too long for my peace of mind. I hated not being able to make love to Arrow. Hated it. But he never pressured me. There were times I wished he would push me harder, as a matter of fact. But once we were actually doing the deed, I realized that there was absolutely nothing similar about making love with Arrow and what happened to me before. And the rest, as they say, is history. I jumped him every chance possible, and lo and behold, now I’m about seven weeks along.”