Free Irresistible Knight by Tierney O’Malley Page B

in shaggy moss danced ever so slowly. Lodge pole pine, rocky mountain juniper, Garry oak, and Douglas fir trees were just a few of the larger forest species that she recognized. The Olympic Mountains, so green and majestic, offered a startling vista.
    Linda said they played a major influence on weather patterns in western Washington, and the San Juan Islands in particular. Most oceanic weather fronts approach the state from the southwest and the Olympic Mountains served as a barrier, which forced the warm moist air to rise, cool, and form precipitation, leaving the clouds dry creating less moisture in the San Juan Islands. No wonder tourists flocked the islands all year long. The weather here was more akin to a desert than the temperate Seattle and Bellingham.
    Washington States wet reputation didn't fit the Orcas Islands. It rained less here compared to the west side of the Olympic Peninsula.
    Taylor hugged herself as she scanned the view. One could do so many things around here. Whale watching, kayaking, diving, hiking, bird watching. Right now, she could stand and watch the sky change colors. But wouldn't it be more fun if she were with someone. To laugh and share the view?
    Perhaps soon, when she was free from Jean's claws, she'd be able to enjoy life here. She took out the piece of paper with a phone number written on it. Linda gave it to her when Taylor asked if she knew Judge Knight.
    Judge Arthur Knight. Strong name, she thought. Linda swore that Judge Knight was the best oyster one could find at the beach. Among his peers, he was known to be harsh and unbendable, incorrupt and incorruptible, which made him unpopular. Like a cypress tree. No matter how strong the wind, it wouldn't break. Because of that he'd been getting death threats from left and right. But Judge Arthur Knight wasn't fazed.
    The epitome of a public defender. Sounds like the perfect candidate for her. Perhaps Taylor came to the right place after all. For the first time since she left Seattle, her mood seemed suddenly buoyant. With one last look at the glistening blue green water, she went back inside the cottage and closed the door behind her.
    * * * *
    Behind the thick trunk of a cedar tree, a man came out of his hiding place, lowered his binoculars, then smiled.
    * * * *
    He must take the siren's image off his head, for fuck sake. Teejay may look like a goddess, but she was one snarky loony. If she didn't’ want his help, so be it. Damn her pride. He bet if she were in danger, she wouldn't even call nine-one-one, not if she could help it. Well, he should be glad. One less soul to help meant more time to focus on his current case.
    Once he closed the lid on Jean's case, he would take a long break. Stay in his newly built home or maybe take up Tristan's invitation to go kayaking with him. Anything that would take his mind off his case and Miss I-Am-Fine-My-Ankle-Is-Not-Swollen.
    He loved his job and was passionate about it, but countless nights of hunting for scumbags like Jean had a debilitating effect on him. Not even a good movie could put him in a semi-sane mood. Except for Teejay. A few minutes with the woman and she had him smiling already.
    Bors parked his car beside Kirsten's Volvo and just sat there. Troll. Teejay called him a troll. He could almost imagine his family nodding in agreement with her. Smiling, he got out of the car in time to see his mother emerge from the front door.
    “Someone had you smiling. Care to tell me who?”
    “I'm smiling because I'm home, Mom.”
    The twinkle in Katherine's eyes told him she thought differently. “If you say so, darling.”
    Bors reached Katherine in two quick strides. Wrapping his arms around her, he closed his eyes. Feeling his mother's familiar small hands pressed against his back made him thank his luck he was still alive. Nothing could be better than this. Nothing.
    “Good to be home, Mom. Good to be home.”
    “You love my cooking that much, huh?”
    “No. Because I love you all the way