Montana SEAL (Brotherhood Protectors #1)(19)
“Or you need a full time bodyguard no matter where you go.”
She looked up at him. “If you ever stop being a SEAL, you have a career for yourself in personal security.” Sadie glanced around the small store. “Especially here in Montana. Do you know how many rich people purchase huge ranches in this state, just to get away from it all?”
Now she was babbling, her nervous energy going from biting her fingernail to talking. Hank nearly smiled. If being near him made her nervous, he hoped it was because she felt the electric currents he was feeling. Standing in the store, between the canned goods and the breakfast cereal, made the spark no less potent.
“Come on. We have shopping to do. And then we need to make a quick stop at the sheriff’s office for a status on your shooter and to warn him about your paparazzi-stalker dude.” He took over the cart from her and pushed it toward the processed meat section. Loading up on the only lunchmeat the small store carried, Hank moved on to find the fresh vegetables and fruit.
Sadie followed. When he purposely reached for overripe bananas, she stepped in—as he guessed she would.
After they checked out, he helped her load the groceries into his rental and followed her to the sheriff’s office.
When they entered, the sheriff straightened from behind a desk. “Miss McClain. I’m glad you stopped by.”
Hank stared at the sheriff a moment before he recognized the man in uniform. “Joe? Joe Barron?” He stuck out a hand. “Remember me? Hank Patterson.”
“Remember you?” Joe’s face stretched into a huge grin. “How could I forget the best running back in the history of Eagle Rock?”
Hank shook the man’s hand.
Joe wasn’t satisfied with just a handshake. He pulled Hank into a bear hug. “About time you came back to Eagle Rock. Are you staying, or just passing through?”
“I’ll be around for a couple weeks. Maybe more,” he said.
Joe nodded. “I’m sorry about what happened to your dad. We’re working on identifying the one responsible.” Joe turned to Sadie and shot a look back at Hank. “You two back together?”
Hank answered for Sadie. “We’re testing the water. But it’s looking good.” He grabbed Sadie’s hand and pulled her close. She settled against his side, a little stiff, but she didn’t refute his comment.
“I’m glad to hear it. I always thought you two should be together.” Joe’s smile faded. “We canvassed the nearby campground and hunting outfitters, asking if anyone had been out hunting near the intersection where Mr. Patterson and Miss McClain were fired upon. So far no one has seen, heard or owned up to firing those shots. I sent the bullet slug they dug out of Mr. Patterson to the state crime lab, but haven’t heard anything back from them. I’m sorry I don’t have any more news than that.”
“We actually stopped by to let you know that Sadie was accosted outside Al’s Diner by an overzealous fan. You might want to check him out.” Hank gave Joe the description of the man, his old truck and the California license plate he’d managed to pick up as the guy sped off.
Sadie added, “I think he’s the same stalker I had in LA. Tim Wallis. I had to file a restraining order against him.”
“I’ll check the local bed and breakfasts, lodges and campgrounds and see if he turns up. I can’t get inside his room or vehicle to look for a weapon without a search warrant. Just because he wanted a picture of Sadie doesn’t make him an attempted murderer. If he’s your Tim Wallis, I can arrest him on charges of violating his restraining order. You don’t happen to have a copy of it, do you?”
Sadie reached into her purse. “Normally I wouldn’t be carrying it around, but I got the official document the day before I left LA, and stuck it into my purse.”
The sheriff took the document, made a photocopy and handed the original back to Sadie. “I’ll put out a be-on-the-lookout.”
Hank nodded. “Understood. But you’ll let us know if you find him?”
“Will do.” Joe reached out for Hank’s hand. “It really is good to see you. I hope you decide to stay. Montana needs more men like you in the state. If you ever give up the glamour of being a SEAL, I have a real job waiting for you here as a deputy sheriff.”
“Thanks,” Hank said, and meant it. With the possibility of being medically discharged from the navy, Hank was happy to know there were jobs in the civilian world. He could hire on as a deputy sheriff, or like Sadie had suggested, and he’d been considering, start his own protective service. The idea had merit. What did most SEALs do once they left active duty? It wasn’t like they quit being a SEAL. Once a SEAL, always a SEAL. But how did the sharply honed combat skills translate to employment on the outside? Well, now he had two possibilities. And with him and Swede facing the potential of being booted out, he had to start thinking past active duty.
He’d run the ideas by Swede and see if he was serious about starting a protective service made up of former SEALs and other combat veterans. And if they could base out of Montana, he would at least get to see Sadie whenever she came home to visit. Hank had no desire to live in LA, unless he lived with Sadie. Then, anywhere in the world would be fine with him.
Who was he kidding? Sadie was a huge celebrity, with every man in the country wanting to be with her. She could have her pick. Why would she pick a washed-up SEAL?