Page 2 of Shielding Serena

“When he started explaining how the Brotherhood Protectors were a part of the community, how they offered their services to people who really needed it, instead of another day of the corporate grind, it felt more like a mission briefing than a casual conversation, and it stuck with me. There are offices all over the country, even in Hawaii and down in the bayou, but we’d be the first in Arizona.”

Everyone looked interested, even Tate, who was already involved in a similar venture. Walker doubted he'd ever be able to lure the man away from his team in Vegas but having him and his friends as backup would be more than welcome. He’d liked the members of St. Michael’s Solutions and had been impressed with what they’d done as a team even more.

"When we built this place, it was for us to decompress, to rediscover who we were out of a wartime environment. Then it became about helping other veterans, which is when we brought Jesse on board to manage the increased activity. I'd like to expand even further. To move onto the ranch full-time and begin helping the locals who backed us even when they didn't know what we were doing up here. To offer services ranging from protection to problem solving, like I did back in Phoenix, but to carefully vetted clients. I don’t want to change what we do here, but expand on it.”

Taylor leaned forward, the wheels already spinning in his brain. "I like it. I've got commitments on and off, but I can make it work."

Walker started to protest. It hadn't been his intent for anyone but him to attempt this. But since they all owned the ranch, it was a joint decision to take this step, to morph their safe space into yet another thing. Before he could speak, the rest of them were nodding.

Then Tate said the words Walker had hoped he would. "St. Michael's will be more than happy to provide support when you need it. I met Hank after the shootout and I like him. He’s solid, and the work is… compelling,” he finished.

With those words, with those nods, Last Light Security was born.

CHAPTER 2

Three months later…

Walker entered The Menagerie a few minutes after eight a.m. Tuesday morning, the usual time for his weekly visit to town, and felt lighter, as he always did.

The sprawling old Victorian had been a fixture his entire childhood. Back then Madeline Blackstone had owned the curio shop that held every treasure his young mind could imagine. Now it was a cafe that served a limited breakfast and fancy coffee but had maintained the funky flair and wild decorations, along with a limited selection of Madeline’s old inventory.

Serena Blackstone looked up as the entry bells jingled and her expression turned from slightly pained to welcoming, almost relieved, as she saw Walker. That relief made him go on alert despite himself, even though there were other people scattered through the café who could have intervened if the customer became abusive.

The man she spoke with at the counter was completely nondescript from behind, average height and weight, wearing tan chinos and a white polo shirt, expensive sneakers on his feet. He turned as he heard the bells and Walker relaxed as soon as he saw the visitor’s face.

He wasn't threatening. If anything, he looked like the human version of Eeyore, a bit worn, a bit downtrodden. Serena wasn’t apprehensive, she looked weary, probably from listening to the man's sad tale of woe.

Since the customer seemed to be merely annoying, Walker scanned the rest of the room, as he did any time he walked into a space.

The main dining area, which had once been the formal sitting area off the entryway, was about half full, with maybe ten locals he knew by sight, if not by name.

They were seated at a scattering of two- and four-top tables, in addition to a long family-style table that seated eight and was topped with a sign that declared it to be open seating if you weren’t in a large group.

Walker turned his attention to Serena. It’d been a pleasant shock to see her the when he’d walked into the café for the first time a month ago, curious as to what the old building had become. He’d heard that Madeline was changing things up, but not that Serena had taken over. It was a little strange they hadn’t run into each other since her arrival, but he’d been spending a lot of time in Montana with Hank and his team, shadowing them on the occasional mission and generally integrating himself into that world.

Serena had been his first love twenty years ago, and now they were in the getting-to-know-you-again phase. It had been an interesting experience so far, especially since they’d already seen each other naked.

He crossed the room and stood behind the woeful customer, trying and mostly succeeding at banishing all nakedness from his mind.

"As I was saying, Ms. Blackstone," the man continued, "Your aunt was holding a piece of statuary for me that she purchased at an estate sale. It's dear to me, and I'm only in town a few more days. I’m certainly willing to pay for the estimated value. I believe it’s two hundred and fifty dollars."

"I understand, Mr. Higgins," Serena said patiently. "But Aunt Madeline is on a cruise right now, and her ability to communicate depends on her location. I haven't heard from her in a few days, and I'm not sure when I will again. I sent her a text and an email. I have your number. If she contacts me, I'll reach out right away. If it would be easier, I'll be happy to send it to you when we figure out where it is."

Walker barely refrained from rolling his eyes. Madeline Blackstone's inventory system for the shop had always been sketchy at best, and since she rarely carried anything of value, it hadn't ever mattered. He was certain finding this man’s trinket would be an exercise in frustration.

He'd spent his summers rooting around The Menagerie when he wasn’t working at the feed store, looking for treasure, until his senior year when Serena had become his whole world.

The memory warmed him. She'd been the one that got away, for sure. They'd been a lot of things to each other two decades ago. Friends when she’d first arrived in town, the new girl with the crazy aunt. Then, that last summer, they'd been each other's first love. First everything.

"Excuse me, Mr. Higgins," she said and turned to Walker. "Good to see you, Walker." Her expression warmed significantly. "Your usual?"

"Please," he said and moved beside Higgins, leaning a hip against the counter as Serena moved away, staking his claim in a not-so-subtle way, hoping the man would take the hint and move along. Serena had given him the polite brush off, and Walker got the feeling it hadn't been the first time.

Higgins turned his morose gaze to Walker and gave a short nod. "I'll check in again tomorrow," he said.

Serena answered from the espresso machine, where she was frothing milk for Walker's latte. "Oh, don't go to the trouble," she said over her shoulder. "I'll be in touch as soon as I hear from Madeline."

Higgins harrumphed a little and shuffled his way to the door before walking out on a big sigh.