Page 3 of Shared By the Mountain Men Triplets

Her grip is warm and firm, and I hold it a beat too long. Her gaze lifts from our joined hands to my eyes, and the look she gives me says she noticed.

Then she releases me, and I let her. Barely.

“This is Cade.” I nod to my left. “And Boone.”

Cade offers his hand, and his expression closes down the way it does when he’s absorbing too much information too fast. His eyes drop to her boots, then to her bag, where the edge of a topo map protrudes.

“Ma’am,” he says.

Her mouth curves, and I notice it too much. “Wren is fine.”

Boone steps in with his easy grin. “Boone Wilder.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise.” He wraps his hand around hers, but for once, doesn’t immediately turn the charm up to blinding. He looks at her a little more carefully than usual. “Can we buy you a drink, Wren Hollis with the federal badge?”

She tucks it away. “No, thank you. I need guides, not whiskey.”

Boone’s grin deepens. “Shame. We’regood at both.”

“Guides first.” I shoot him a look, but his expression remains innocent. It hasn’t fooled me once in thirty-four years.

Boone pulls out the extra chair for her, and she sits, setting her bag at her feet. I sit across from her, and my brothers return to their seats.

The three of us are used to being an imposing presence, usually unintentionally, but huddled around the small table with us, Wren doesn’t flinch.

Interesting woman.

“What brings you up here?” I get the question out before she removes her jacket, the movement pulling her dark shirt tight over the curve of her breasts. I drag my eyes back to her face.

She reaches into her bag and brings out a stack of papers, a notebook, and the map. “I’m here to investigate wildlife displacement, possible illegal hunting activity, and some irregular movement patterns along the corridors north of here. My office received enough reports to justify sending someone out.”

“Reports from who?” Cade asks.

“Trail cameras, a seasonal ranger, a couple of hikers, and a rancher who knows the elk movement better than most biologists I’ve met.”

Cade goes very still, and Wren notices. “You know the area?” she asks.

“We know most of it,” I say.

“That’s what I was told.”

“Who told you?”

Wren tucks a strand of long hair behind her ear, and I’m momentarily distracted again. “A waitress at the restaurant in town mentioned you first. A regional law enforcement officer backed up the referral. Said if I needed to get into rough country without wasting my time, you were the ones to hire.”

Boone leans back, his grin ever-present. “Our reputation remains spotless.”

Cade makes a sound that isn’t agreement.

Wren looks between them, and this time, the amusement in her eyes is clear.

I like her more by the minute.

“What will your investigation involve?” I ask.

“I need to check camera positioning, verify reported movement patterns, and document anything that suggests illegal take. I also want to get in and out without becoming a liability.”