Defending Harlow (Mountain Mercenaries #4)(42)

“I’ll follow you,” he said, reading her mind. Then he leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek before turning and heading for his Mazda.

Harlow climbed into the van in a daze. That was the fifth time Lowell had kissed her, and each time was more confusing than the last. She tried to tell herself that it was just how Lowell was, that he kissed others in that respectful, almost brotherly way, but in all honesty, she didn’t see him kissing anyone else. Not Loretta, or any of the residents.

When they were on their way, Zoe said, “Maybe I shouldn’t leave.”

“No, absolutely not. You’re going,” Harlow told her in no uncertain terms.

“But—”

“No. You’re going to go to Pueblo to relax and meet your grandbaby.”

Zoe smiled. “Well, all right then.”

Harlow returned the grin. Then said, “Well, that was fun. Not. Why didn’t you go back to the shelter? Or call for help?”

“I wasn’t going to leave you,” Zoe said in an offended tone.

“We couldn’t have taken them on,” Harlow said. “There’s nothing you could’ve done if they’d wanted to beat the crap out of us. I would’ve preferred you be safe and sound inside.”

“Dear,” Zoe said in a soft voice, “if I fled, one of them would’ve probably chased me down. I wouldn’t have made it inside. We were too far away. And once their adrenaline got going by chasing me, it’s more likely they would’ve wanted to release that energy. Get my meaning?”

Unfortunately, Harlow did.

“So I stood still, hoping not to agitate them further. I figured they would say what they needed to say and then they’d leave. Besides . . . I saw your man’s Mazda pull into the parking lot and knew he’d be there way before I could get help.”

“He’s not my man,” Harlow protested.

Zoe’s eyebrows raised in disbelief.

“Seriously. I knew him in high school, but that was forever ago. I’ve told you about my horrific dating life. I’m not going to do anything that might mean losing his friendship or finding out he’s secretly a freak who wants to lick my toes.”

“I’d let that man lick my toes,” Zoe said with a smirk.

“Zoe!” Harlow exclaimed.

“What? He’s one fine specimen of a man. As are his friends.” She shook her head at Harlow’s continued look of surprise. “Loosen up, Harl. Of course the man isn’t perfect. No one is. I think that’s your problem. You’re looking for someone who doesn’t exist. Every man has faults. Some are more apparent than others, but if you hold out for someone who never makes a mistake, never says the wrong thing, and who treats you as if you’re made out of pure gold, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. Besides, that would be boring. You make mistakes, so why can’t the man you’re dating?”

“Zoe, I don’t expect a guy to be perfect. But it might be nice if he didn’t bring his mother along on a first date, or if he didn’t burst into tears when I turn down his marriage proposal the first time I meet him, or if he didn’t secretly jack off on one of my stuffed animals when he was invited into my apartment—”

“Okay, okay, those are bad, but honey, I truly think when you let down your guard, when you stop trying so hard and take a look around, you’ll find love where you least expect it.”

“I’ve tried,” Harlow protested. “I’ve accepted dates from men I’ve met in the grocery store, I’ve smiled at them in the library, I’ve been receptive to going out with guys I’ve worked with in the restaurant industry . . . but nothing happened. I’ve also dated guys I met online, and a lot of those dates were horrible, but I just don’t know where to meet men anymore if it’s not on those dating websites.”

“Have faith, my dear,” Zoe said, and reached over and patted her hand. “I have a good feeling about you. You took a chance and moved to Colorado without knowing anyone, and I think things happen for a reason. You just have to be patient and let things work out the way they’re supposed to.”

Harlow smirked as she turned into the Costco parking lot. “Right. Do you have the list?”

“Of course,” Zoe responded.

Harlow turned to open her door—and screeched in surprise when she saw someone standing by her window.

She put her hand on her chest and scowled at Lowell. She heard Zoe chuckle next to her, but was too busy opening her door to yell at Lowell to deal with her friend.

“You scared me!” she scolded.

“Sorry,” he said, but smiled when he did so.

“No, you’re not,” she grumbled.

Lowell reached out, grabbed her hand, and led her around the front of the van to where Zoe was standing. “You ladies ready to do this?”

“Absolutely!” Zoe said perkily, as if she hadn’t just been in a standoff with two punks twenty minutes ago.

Lowell squeezed Harlow’s hand, and she sighed. “Ready,” she parroted.

They pushed two carts around the giant store, stocking up on food and snacks. The kids ate a lot, and the women wanted to make sure what they put in their mouths was good for them rather than empty calories. It took an hour and a half for them to collect everything on the list and make their way to the checkout counter with the overflowing carts.