Always (The Protectors Book 3) Read online

  John slipped into the role of intelligent male as easily as a pat of butter melting on a hot skillet. “Grant was at Emerald Lake today. He saw the girls practicing.”

  Mallory’s gaze focused on Grant. Her eyes were the color of a bright blue Montana sky.

  “I didn’t see you.”

  “I left before you came inside.”

  “Oh.” She blinked, then refocused her smile on John. “Thank you for letting us skate on the lake. It was a wonderful change from using the rink at Haynes Pavilion or Bogert Park.”

  “You can come to Emerald Lake anytime you want.”

  Mallory smiled. “You might see us again before the festival. Did Bella tell you the girls are worried about someone seeing their performance?”

  “She might have mentioned something a few hundred times.”

  Grant knew he should probably say something, but he’d sooner watch Mallory. So instead of opening his mouth, he followed her across room with his brother, trying to get over the shock of meeting the woman of his dreams.

  ***

  Mallory didn’t know if Grant was naturally shy or if he simply didn’t have a lot to say. As the conversation moved from one subject to the next, he seemed content to let everyone else talk.

  Logan, Tess’ husband, leaned toward Grant. “I heard there was a fatality at Beehive Peak this morning.”

  Grant stopped chewing. He glanced at his brother before slowly wiping his mouth with his napkin. “There was a small avalanche. One skier was killed.”

  “An avalanche warning wasn’t issued.”

  “Beehive Peak was already rated as a considerable avalanche hazard on all slopes.”

  Tess nudged her husband. “You’re not talking shop again, are you?”

  “I was asking Grant a question about the avalanche.”

  Tess frowned. “Sometimes, Logan Allen, I have serious doubts about your skills as a reporter. Grant knew the person who was killed.”

  Logan looked contrite. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

  Grant shrugged. “It’s a small town. Sonia was born and raised here. I’m not the only one who knew her.”

  His steady gaze didn’t fool Mallory. She had a feeling he hid a lot from the world, but grief left its own tell-tale signs.

  When Tess started talking about the Winter Festival, Mallory turned to Grant.

  “Are you okay?”

  He seemed surprised by her question. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

  “Logan has a habit of asking whatever question pops into his head. He wouldn’t have wanted to upset you.”

  “I know.”

  “But he did.”

  Grant took a deep breath. “I wasn’t in the best frame of mind before I came here.”

  “You weren’t the only one,” she confided. “What was your friend like?”

  He pushed his plate away. “Sonia filled her life with joy. A lot of people will miss her.”

  “If something happened to me, that’s what I’d want my friends to say.”

  Grant nodded. “Why are you here?”

  His question caught her off guard. “Kelly invited me.”

  “Not the bar...Bozeman. John said you’re from Florida. What brought you to Montana?”

  “My reasons aren’t very interesting.”

  “Try me.”

  “You’re persistent.”

  Grant’s eyes softened. “I’d like to get to know you better.”

  “Tess is my cousin. A couple of years ago I was involved in a car accident and I stayed with her while I was recovering. I enjoyed Bozeman so much that I decided to stay.”

  “That must have been a big move after living in Orlando.”

  “It was a good move,” she said quietly.

  “Do you plan on staying?”

  Mallory didn’t know how to respond to Grant’s question. “I think so. I enjoy working as a physical therapist at the hospital. I have a great home and I’m teaching children how to figure skate.”

  “Sounds as though you’re busy. Are you happy here?”

  The simple question shouldn’t have unsettled her, but it did. She thought about the people she’d met and the people she’d left behind.

  “I’m finding a new kind of happiness.”

  “That sounds like hard work.”

  Mallory sighed. “Sometimes it is. My car accident changed everything. The life I’d planned was over before it began.”

  “You’ve started again—made different plans.”

  “I guess I have.”

  Grant nodded. “I know how difficult starting again can be. My life has gone down a different road, too.”

  Tess leaned across the table and refilled Mallory’s glass of water. “How are the dresses for the Winter Festival coming along?”

  Mallory looked at Tess, then at Grant. His calm blue eyes absorbed her confusion. She’d ask him later how he’d started a new life. For now, everyone was waiting to hear about the latest hurdle she had to overcome.

  “I took some photos of the dresses yesterday.” She pulled her cell phone out of her bag and found the images. “This is one of the dresses we’ve finished.” She passed her phone to Tess.

  “Oh, wow! It’s gorgeous.” Tess passed the phone to Logan.

  “We bought the pink leotards online,” Mallory said. “Someone donated enough money to buy the organza for the skirts. I bought the ribbons and beads.”

  John studied the pictures. “Is this the dress Rachel made?”

  His wife grinned. “Good guess considering Bella’s wearing the costume.”

  “What can I say? I’m nothing if not observant.”

  “You’re a man of many talents.” Rachel smiled at Mallory. “Did you find the makeup you wanted?”

  “I did, except one of the moms bought her daughter her own makeup. We were supposed to make a group decision on what we’re going to use.”

  Grant frowned. “Why were you going to do that?”

  “Not all the girls can afford their own makeup. I want everyone to wear the same products so that no one feels left out.”

  Tanner and Kelly looked at the photo.

  “Maybe you could ask the mom what makeup she bought and replicate it for the others,” Kelly suggested.

  “I’ve already done that. The makeup she used is one of the most expensive brands you can buy.”

  “Oh, dear,” Tess sighed.

  “Exactly.” Mallory rested her elbows on the table. “I’ve been to every drug store in Bozeman searching for a low-cost alternative, but I can’t match the colors. If anyone has a different idea, I’m ready to hear it.”

  “What about asking someone to sponsor the makeup?” Rachel suggested. “It would solve your problem.”

  “But who would want to donate makeup to a group of nine- and ten-year-olds?”

  “Oh, I don’t know.” Rachel nudged her husband. “What about an incredibly handsome father of one of the girls? I’m sure he could be persuaded to support a good cause.”

  John grinned at Rachel. “What type of persuasion did you have in mind?”

  Grant shook his head. “Are you ever going to move out of the honeymoon stage?”

  “I hope not,” John said.

  Rachel smiled at Mallory. “Make a list of what you need and email it to me. We’ll make sure the makeup arrives before your dress rehearsal.”

  “Are you sure?”

  John nodded. “You’ve done so much for Bella and her friends. It’s the least we can do.”

  “This is going to mean a lot to the girls. I’ll have to organize makeup lessons.”

  “I can almost see Bella jumping up and down now,” John groaned. “She’ll be so excited she won’t sleep for a week.”

  Mallory smiled at her friends. Kelly had been right. Coming to Charlie’s Bar and Grill had been exactly what she needed.

  Not only was she surrounded by wonderful people, but a group of girls were going to be over the moon with happiness.

  CHAPTER THREE

>   Grant woke to the sound of rain hitting the window—except it wasn’t his window the rain was hitting. He’d stayed at his brother’s home last night. By the time they’d driven to Emerald Lake another storm had hit Bozeman. When Rachel asked him if he wanted to stay, it didn’t take him long to say yes. Since John and Rachel’s marriage, he hadn’t stayed overnight—not because he hadn’t been asked, but because he didn’t want to interrupt their new family life.

  His bedroom door opened an inch.

  “Uncle Grant,” Bella whispered. “Are you awake?”

  He pretended to snore—the biggest, loudest snore he could manage.

  Bella giggled and pushed open the door. Within seconds, she’d landed on top of him, hugging him tight, and telling him about her dreams.

  He’d missed Bella, missed staying at his home away from home.

  “Dad’s already awake,” Bella said. “He’s making pancakes.”

  Grant peered at his watch. “It’s six o’clock. What’s he doing in the kitchen this early?”

  “Mrs. Daniels is visiting her family. He wanted to surprise us with a super-duper breakfast.”

  “What kind of pancakes is he making?”

  “Buttermilk and blueberry. Logan gave him the recipe.”

  “It sounds like we need to supervise.”

  Bella laughed. “You just want to see if his pancakes are better than yours.”

  Grant ruffled his niece’s hair. “I’ve got a feeling they will be. Logan’s recipe came from Tess—and Tess makes the best buttermilk pancakes in Bozeman. As long as your dad doesn’t burn them, he can’t go wrong.”

  Bella scooted off the bed. “I’ll meet you downstairs. Don’t forget to bring your phone.”

  Ever since Bella was a baby, he’d taken photos of his ranch before each visit to show her what he’d been doing. Sometimes he’d take photos of his cattle, a flower, or a fence that needed fixing. She loved seeing the pictures and he enjoyed showing her what was important to him.

  “I’ll be downstairs in ten minutes. Tell your dad not to eat all the pancakes before I get there.”

  “I will.” Bella rushed out the door.

  He smiled as he stumbled out of bed and into the shower. For the first time all week, he hadn’t woken with a sick feeling in his stomach.

  It was good to be here—good to be part of a family again.

  ***

  “It’s about time you got out of bed.” John threw an apron in Grant’s direction. “Put this on and follow Bella. She knows what she’s doing.”

  Grant looked at his niece. “I thought we were having pancakes for breakfast?”

  “We are. You’re going to help me make chocolate cake, too. Dad said that by the time the cake is in the oven, the pancakes will be ready.”

  He opened his apron, then smiled at the aprons Bella and her dad were wearing. “Did the store have a sale?”

  John sighed. “Bella chose them.”

  “The flowers are cute.” She grinned and patted her dad’s arm. “Don’t worry. You’re cute, too.”

  Grant tied the apron around his waist and hoped no one ever saw him wearing it. “Okay, Bella. What do you want me to do?”

  “I’ve mixed all the dry ingredients together. You can add two eggs and two cups of milk.”

  He followed her instructions, adding the eggs and milk and folding, not stirring, the mixture together.

  They poured the batter into a pan and slid it into an oven. While Bella set the table for breakfast, Grant tried to sneak a pancake.

  A spatula whipped past the end of his fingertips.

  “No touching,” John warned. “They’re for breakfast.”

  “Just one. No one will know.”

  “I will. You seemed to enjoy Mallory’s company once you got your foot out of your mouth.”

  Grant’s eyes narrowed. “She’s a nice person.”

  “She’s also tall, blond, and extremely attractive.”

  “What’s your point?”

  John smiled. “Your social life sucks. As well as being nice, Mallory’s single. You could ask her on a date—see what happens.”

  “Did you invite me to Charlie’s Bar and Grill so that I’d meet her?”

  “Nope. That, my dear brother, was fate in action.”

  “I don’t believe in fate.”

  John flipped a pancake. “Maybe that’s half your problem. Not everything can be planned. Just tell me you didn’t ask her if she wants children.”

  “I didn’t need to,” Grant muttered. “She teaches Bella and her friends how to figure skate. She wouldn’t do that if she doesn’t like children.”

  “Liking other people’s children and wanting your own are two separate things.”

  “It’s good enough for me.”

  “Well, I’m thankful you didn’t ask her. It would have made you sound desperate.”

  “Very funny. And I suppose that pearl of wisdom comes from your vast experience?”

  “No—the book Rachel gave me two Christmases ago. The Dummies Guide to Finding the Perfect Woman worked for me.”

  Grant frowned. “We’re wearing floral aprons and baking chocolate cake and pancakes. You’re reading the wrong type of books.”

  “It’s called living spontaneously.”

  “Any book that tells you to compliment a woman’s shoes is crazy.”

  John poured two cups of coffee. “So you do remember the book?”

  “I bought my own copy to help you with your nonexistent love life. I stopped taking their advice seriously when they said to dress for success. Jeans and boots didn’t make their list of essential wardrobe choices.”

  “You know what they say—actions speak louder than words. I’m married, you aren’t. Here’s your coffee.”

  “Rachel’s awake!” Bella yelled from the dining room.

  Grant stared at his brother. “Don’t say anything to Rachel.”

  “About what?”

  “Mallory.”

  “We’ve got more important things to do than talk about your non-existent love life,” John said with a grin. “You need to read the book again. That’s in chapter nineteen. Focus on your own relationship and not your brother’s.”

  “What relationship?” Rachel asked from the doorway.

  “Nothing,” John said as he kissed his wife. “Are you ready for breakfast?”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’m always ready for breakfast.”

  Grant sighed.

  Bella raced into the kitchen with Milo behind her. “Look who I found. Uncle Grant and I made chocolate cake, Milo. Can you smell how yummy it is?”

  Milo’s tail flicked backward and forward as he listened to Bella.

  Rachel patted her dog. “How did he get out of the barn?”

  “Jeremy let him out. He said if we’re making pancakes he wouldn’t mind trying one.”

  Grant took more plates out of the pantry. “We’d better make another batch. With the number of security guards on your property, we’ll be reduced to half a pancake each.”

  His brother opened the oven door and slid a plate of fluffy pancakes onto the counter. “That was in chapter thirty-five—always be prepared.”

  “I’d better find my copy of the book,” Grant muttered.

  John wiped his hands on his apron and handed him a book. “You can’t say I don’t do anything for you.”

  “Is that...?”

  “Yep. It’s my copy of The Dummies Guide to Finding the Perfect Woman. If it worked for me, it will work for you.”

  Rachel hid her smile behind her mug of coffee. “While you’re pondering the secrets of a successful relationship, you might want to check the oven. Something is burning.”

  John opened the oven door. “It’s the paper towel I left under the pancakes.”

  Grant passed his brother a pair of tongs. “Use these. I don’t know what chapter burning paper towels comes under, but it won’t lead to marital bliss.”

  Rachel grinned at John. “Don
’t listen to Grant. It’s not the end result that counts, but how you get there. Making pancakes for everyone was a sweet thing to do.”

  An image of Mallory filled Grant’s mind. She could be the sweetest person he ever met, but unless he found a reason to spend time with her, he’d never know.

  He picked up his brother’s book. Three hundred pages of advice had to include something that could help him.

  ***

  On Monday morning, Mallory opened the front door of Angel Wings Café and smiled at Tess.

  “You’re here early,” Tess said as she placed salt and pepper shakers on a table.

  “I’m meeting Andrew before he drives to Great Falls.”

  Tess frowned. “Don’t you think it’s strange that the brother of your late boyfriend keeps in touch with you?”

  “He sees me as a connection to Simon. Besides, I’ve only seen him a few times since the accident.”

  “What do you think about him?”

  Mallory shrugged. “He’s okay. You don’t need to worry about his intentions. He’s happily married.”

  “Happily married or not, a man doesn’t go out of his way to see his dead brother’s ex-girlfriend unless he’s got an ulterior motive. I’m your cousin—I know what I’m talking about. Do you want to order now or wait until he arrives?”

  “I’ll wait. Do you need a hand with something?”

  “You could bring out the glasses I left on the kitchen counter.”

  Mallory walked into the staff area and waved at Annie, Tess’ part-time baker and good friend.

  “Hi, Mallory. We don’t usually see you this early.” Annie slid a tray of cookies into the oven and set the timer.

  “I’m meeting someone for breakfast.”

  “Oh?”

  “No, not ‘Oh’. He’s a friend—a married friend.”

  “Be careful of those types.”

  Mallory grabbed a tray and started loading the glasses onto it. “Tess has already warned me.”

  “Good. How is the ice skating program coming along?”

  “It’s great. The girls are practicing hard and it shows.”

  Tess opened the kitchen door. “The Groovy Grans are coming down the street.”