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went to the police academy and worked there for years. I loved it. I just moved here to Denver about six months ago.”
    Rachel quirked an eyebrow. “Sounds like you had fun out there.”
    “I did,” he told her with a grin. “But Dad’s getting older and I needed to be close for Mom.”
    The food was probably as good as he’d promised, but she didn’t taste any of it. She was too busy watching him. Light brown stubble darkened his jaw but his skin was nicely tanned, obviously from being in California. It was also obvious he worked outside a lot. He had the typical cop sunglass tan, paler around his stunning eyes.
    Dean moved seamlessly from one topic to the next and managed to keep her entertained throughout the meal. He had an unending supply of ‘crazy-ass suspect’ stories and she giggled more than she had in a long time. It was nice not dwelling on losing her parents. She hadn’t talked to her dad in a long time because he felt she’d taken the easy way out with the medical release. Whatever.
    Dean told her a lot about himself—likes and hobbies—but she sensed there was so much more to him. Rachel wanted to ask him a million questions but didn’t feel it was exactly appropriate at that time.
    She sat back in her chair, surprised at all they had in common. They each had a love of speed and riding the edge of danger. As one of the few women to fly the heavy Super Stallion helicopter in combat she wouldn’t have given that experience up for anything. It had been the most trying but rewarding thing she had ever done. Dean talked about law enforcement the same way.
    The two of them also had a love of physical fitness and an eagerness to experience all life had to offer. When he mentioned the motorcycle he’d crashed she took him out to the garage to show him her bike. The black Honda 250R was a few years old but definitely suited her need for speed…occasionally.
    “I had a Ninja 650R. That thing was a beast,” he sighed, face going soft with remembered enjoyment. “But it got away from me on a rainy night. I’ve been thinking about getting something new to replace it.”
    There had to be several years’ difference between them, but everything he talked about she enjoyed. “How old are you, Dean?”
    Again, that ornery grin. “I’m twenty-nine.”
    A few years younger than her, not much, but miles apart in experiences.
    Rachel wanted to act more reserved, but there was no way. She was enjoying talking with him too much.
    “Tell me about the military.”
    She lifted her brows in surprise. “Well, I was in there for ten years, all told, before I was shot down. I flew the Super Stallion, a heavy equipment and personnel helicopter. I could haul 55 troops or thirty thousand pounds of cargo. Or if it was a slung load, up to thirty-six thousand pounds. I hauled Humvees and armored vehicles all over Afghanistan.”
    He blinked in amazement. “That’s incredible. Truly. I’ve been near those things and they are impressive. Massive machines.”
    “Yes, they are. It was a great time in my life,” she admitted. “I still miss it.”
    He nodded, eyes going thoughtful. “I would miss running hot if I couldn’t do it again. And just helping people.”
    Rachel nodded. “I know what you mean. That’s one thing I love about LNF. We do that there.”
    “If you have a job that you can feel fulfilled and like you’re helping the community; that really makes a difference in your well-being.”
    It did, truly.
    Rachel took a more comprehensive look at Dean. Yes, he was handsome and virile but he had a depth to him that she didn’t always see in men. Coming from the military environment she’d been in, she’d seen more than her share of egotistical jocks. Dean had the build and character to dominate any situation if he wanted to, but he didn’t. Everything she’d seen him do had been compassionate and gentle. And he didn’t seem to feel the need to act like he knew everything.
    “I agree,