Her Rocky Mountain Protector

by Patricia Thayer

  “How soon do you want to get married?”

  “If it was up to me, I’d marry you this minute.” He turned her around to face him. “I know you need time, Gina. I’m willing to wait until you’re ready.”

  She felt the rush. Oh, she was so ready for this man. “Okay. We can talk about it. We need to talk to Zack, too. And your grandfather.”

  Grady grinned. “I can tell you Fletch wholeheartedly approves of us.”

  Gina smiled, too. “I love that man. Mainly because he raised you. He helped make you the man you are. The man I love.”

  “And you’re the woman I love. The woman who saved me from loneliness. You were there for me when I didn’t think I needed anyone. Gina, I need you in my life.”

  He paused and she knew he was thinking about his son.

  “Oh, Grady. You’ve helped me through a lot of things, too. Mainly, I learned to trust.” She slipped her arms around his waist. “How wonderful it is to be loved by a man who cherishes me. And you love my son.” She smiled, realizing how lucky she was to find this man. “Zack’s going to be so happy.”

  “I bet he’s not nearly as happy as I am right now.”

  She nodded. “I think there’s enough happiness to go around for all of us.”

  With Grady’s arms wrapped around her, they looked out at the beautiful view, the site of their future home. Their new life. Together.

  EPILOGUE

  TWO days later Saturday arrived, sunny and warm and perfect for an eight-year-old boy’s birthday party. Also a great day for family, new and old. Gina felt almost giddy. Grady should be here soon and then they could announce their big news.

  “Mom!” Zack came running into the house. “Did you get my cake?”

  “No, Aunt Lori is bringing it,” she reminded him, knowing in about thirty minutes half the town would be in her backyard for the party. They’d been lucky to find so many friends since coming to Destiny.

  “Oh, I forgot,” Zack said.

  She hugged the little boy who suddenly looked so much older. Where had her baby gone? She got a strange feeling again, thinking about Grady and starting their new life together. Having another child. She was giddy at the thought of having Grady’s baby.

  “Mom. When is Grady getting here?”

  She brushed his dark hair from his forehead. “Soon, he’s picking someone up.”

  She knew Zack was eager to show off Bandit’s tricks. “Come on,” she said. “Let’s check the tables before everyone gets here.”

  They walked out onto the deck to view the large yard that had been decorated for the party. Several arrangements of balloons were tied to each fence post, and toward the back an obstacle course had been constructed late yesterday by one special man. Grady. She recalled last night, how she’d relayed her thanks to her man after Zack had gone to bed.

  She could see Zack’s excitement. “The obstacle course is so cool.”

  “Yes, it is. You’re a lucky little boy, Zack Williams.”

  Gina twisted the large shiny pear-shaped diamond on her left hand. Grady had also surprised her when he’d slipped the engagement ring on her finger. In those stolen moments, her future husband had also proceeded to show her how much he loved her. Today was special for another reason. Grady wanted to ask Zack officially for his mother’s hand before they made the announcement.

  The yard gate opened and Grady walked in with Scout. Her breath caught at the sight of the tall man who was dressed in black jeans and a tan collared shirt. When he smiled at her, she saw the love shining in his eyes and nearly melted on the spot.

  Zack spotted him, too. “Grady!” He went running off to him and greeted Scout. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

  “I told you I’d come early.” Grady smiled. “I brought another surprise. Someone who wants to meet you.”

  Grady winked at Gina and went outside the gate again, but soon returned pushing his grandfather in a wheelchair. “Zack, this is Joe Fletcher. Granddad, this is the special boy I’ve been telling you about.”

  Grady stood back and watched the two together. It was his grandfather who spoke first. “I hear you got lost in my old mine.”

  Zack nodded. “Yeah, but Scout found me.”

  “Maybe it’s time I boarded that place up. Wouldn’t want anyone else to get hurt.”

  “I think it’s a cool place.”

  Fletch pursed his lips. “Maybe when I get out of this chair we can go up there together. I can show you where there’s still some gold.”

  Zack’s dark eyes lit up. “Really?”

  Fletch nodded. “Say, I hear it’s your birthday today. I got you something.” He handed him the small box. “But you’re gonna have to wait a little while to open it.”

  “Thank you. I’ll put it with the other presents.” He took off toward the table as Gina walked over and kissed Fletch on the cheek.

  “Hello, Granddad Joe.”

  The older man grinned as they hugged. “There’s my girl.”

  Grady raised an eyebrow. “Don’t get any ideas, old man. She’s spoken for.”

  Fletch waved him off and turned back to Gina. “Thanks for inviting me today.”

  “You’re always included. You’re family.”

  One of the many reasons Grady loved this woman—her big heart. He was one lucky man. He reached down and brushed a kiss across her lips. He couldn’t help but recall their time together last night. “Hello, pretty lady.” He leaned close to her ear and whispered, “I can’t tell you how much I hated leaving you last night.”

  She looked up at him with those green eyes. “Maybe we can change that...and soon.”

  Before he could say any more, the boy returned with Scout. Grady stepped back from temptation. “Hey, Zack, how about we run the dogs through the obstacle course for practice?”

  “Okay.” Zack went to get Bandit out of the kennel. Grady gripped Gina’s hand, feeling the diamond, feeling her love, feeling her commitment to him. “Wish me luck.”

  “Always, but you don’t need it. Zack already loves you as much as I do.”

  Grady looked down at his grandfather to see his smile. “I told you she was a keeper,” Fletch said.

  Grady motioned to Scout and together they walked off toward the edge of the yard where the course started. The boy met him there and gave the command for Bandit to sit, and then he unleashed him. Grady had Scout sit, too. “Could I talk to you, Zack, before we start?”

  The boy looked worried, but nodded.

  Grady knelt to be eye level. “I want to talk you about your mom.” He released a breath. “You know I care about her.”

  Zack petted Bandit. “Yeah, I saw you kiss her.”

  “Does that bother you?”

  The boy shook his head. “I just don’t want you to hurt her like my daddy did. He was mean.”

  “No, Zack. That’s a cowardly thing to do, especially to a woman or a child. There might be times when we disagree, but I’ll never raise my hand to you or your mother. You have my word.”

  “I’m glad, ’cause Mom’s happy now.”

  “And I want to make her even happier.” This was harder than he thought. “I love your mother, and I want to marry her.”

  The boy’s eyes lit up. “Really? You mean like Aunt Lori and Uncle Jace? We’d live together all the time?”

  Grady smiled. “Yes. I’m building a big house so that will happen.”

  Zack’s eyes grew larger.

  Grady grew serious again. “Not only that, Zack. I want you to be my son.”

  “Really? You’ll be my dad?”

  He nodded, fighting for the right words. “As much as I love your mother, I also love you, too.”

  Before he could finish making his pitch, Zack had launched himself into his arms, near
ly knocking him over. “I love you, too, Grady.”

  He hugged the boy, letting those sweet words sink in. That was when he saw Gina walk toward them. She hugged him, then her son. “So what do you think about us being a family?”

  “It’s cool!” Zack said. “Grady wants to be my dad.” He petted Scout. “And we get to live with Scout and Bandit, too.”

  Grady suddenly realized how much he loved these two. “I think it’s pretty cool, too.” He hugged Gina to his side. “I get a wife and a son.”

  Zack grinned and looked up expectantly at his mother. “Mom, does that mean you’re going to have a baby like Aunt Lori?”

  A blush crossed Gina’s face as her gaze rose to his; the love shining in their depths caused his chest to tighten with longing. He could picture Gina pregnant with his child.

  She smiled. “I think that’s something your new dad and I need to discuss. Alone.”

  Grady wished they were alone right now. “Hey, I think today is someone’s birthday.”

  With their arms intertwined and two dogs with them, they turned back toward the house and noticed the party crowd. There was Claire and Tim Keenan, Lori, Jace and their daughter, Cassie, Justin and Morgan Hilliard and their kids. So many more gathered on the deck, but they had been giving them space. Privacy.

  “I think everyone’s a little curious about what’s going on,” Gina told him. “Maybe we should tell them.”

  Grady smiled. “It would be my pleasure, ma’am.”

  Before he could make any announcement, Zack spoke up. “Mom and Grady are getting married. And he’s going to be my new dad.” The boy beamed up at his parents. “This is the best birthday ever.”

  The crowd erupted in a round of cheers. Grady looked down at Gina and saw the love in her eyes. “How did I get so lucky?”

  “Me, too.”

  They both had to be remembering that awful day when Zack had been kidnapped. The day one strong woman had climbed into his truck and announced she was going to get her child back. “You saved my son that day,” she said.

  He leaned back and brushed his mouth across hers. “No, you both saved me. I’m one lucky guy.”

  She smiled and his heart sang. This was their new beginning, and it was only going to get better. How could it not? He finally had everything he’d ever wanted—a home here in Destiny. And his family.

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from Single Dad’s Holiday Wedding by Patricia Thayer

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  CHAPTER ONE

  SHE still wasn’t sure if coming here was a good idea.

  Lorelei Hutchinson drove along First Street to the downtown area of the small community of Destiny, Colorado. She reached the historic square and parked her rental car in an angled spot by a huge three-tiered fountain. The centerpiece of the brick-lined plaza was trimmed with a hedge and benches for visitors. A pathway led to a park where children were playing.

  She got out, wrapped her coat sweater tighter against the cold autumn temperature and walked closer to watch the water cascade over the marble structure. After nearly twenty years many of her memories had faded, but some were just as vivid as if they’d happened yesterday.

  One Christmas she remembered the fountain water was red, the giant tree decorated with multicolored lights and ornaments and everyone singing carols. She had a family then.

  A rush of emotions hit her when she recalled being in this exact spot, holding her father’s hand as he took her to the park swings. One of the rare occasions she’d spent time with the man. He’d always been too busy building his empire. Too busy for his wife and daughter. So many times she had wanted just a little of his attention, his love. She never got it.

  Now it was too late. Lyle Hutchinson was gone.

  With a cleansing breath, she turned toward the rows of storefront buildings. She smiled. Not many towns had this step-back-into-the-nineteen-thirties look, but it seemed that Destiny was thriving.

  The wind blew dried leaves as she crossed the two-lane street and strolled past Clark’s Hardware Store and Save More Pharmacy, where her mother took her for candy and ice cream cones as a child. A good memory. She sure could use some of those right now.

  There was a new addition to the block, a bridal shop called Rocky Mountain Bridal Shop. She kept walking, past an antiques store toward a law office with the name Paige Keenan Larkin, Attorney at Law, stenciled on the glass.

  She paused at the door to the office. This was her father’s town, not hers. Lyle Hutchinson had made sure of that. That was why she needed someone on her side. She pushed the door open and a bell tinkled as she walked into the reception area.

  The light coming through the windows of the storefront office illuminated the high ceilings and hardwood floors that smelled of polish and age, but also gave off a homey feeling.

  She heard the sound of high heels against the bare floors as a petite woman came down the long hall. She had dark brown hair worn in a blunt cut that brushed her shoulders. A white tailored blouse tucked into a black shirt gave her a professional look.

  A bright smile appeared. “Lorelei Hutchinson? I’m Paige Larkin. Welcome home.”

  * * *

  After exchanging pleasantries, Lori was ushered into a small conference room to find a middle-aged man seated at the head of the table, going through a folder. No doubt, her father’s attorney.

  He saw her and stood. “Lorelei Hutchinson, I’m Dennis Bradley.”

  She shook his offered hand. “Mr. Bradley.”

  When the lawyer phoned her last week, and told her of her father’s sudden death and that she’d been mentioned in his will, she was shocked about both. She hadn’t seen or talked with her father since she’d been seven years old.

  All Lori was hoping for now was that she could come into town today, sign any papers for Lyle’s will and leave tomorrow.

  The middle-aged attorney began, “First of all, Lorelei, I want to express my condolences for your loss. Lyle wasn’t only my business associate, but my friend, too.” He glanced at Paige and back at her. “I agreed to see you today knowing your reluctance. Your father wanted the formal reading of his will at Hutchinson House tomorrow.”

  Great. Not the plans she had. “Mr. Bradley, as you know, I haven’t seen my father in years. I’m not sure why you insisted I come here.” He’d sent her the airline ticket and reserved a rental car. “If Lyle Hutchinson left me anything, couldn’t you have sent it to me?”

  The man frowned. “As I explained on the phone, Ms. Hutchinson, you’re Lyle’s sole heir.” He shook his head. “And that’s all I’m at liberty to say until tomorrow at the reading of the will. Please just stay until then. Believe me, it will benefit not only you, but this town.”

  Before she could comprehend or react to the news, the door opened and another man walked into the room. He looked her over and said, “So the prodigal daughter finally made it to town.”

  The big man
had a rough edge to him, his dark hair a little on the shaggy side. He was dressed in charcoal trousers and a collared shirt, minus the tie. His hooded blue-eyed gaze fringed by spiky black lashes didn’t waver from her.

  Paige stood. “Jace, you shouldn’t be here. This is a private meeting between me and my client.”

  He didn’t retreat. “I just wanted to make sure she doesn’t take the money and run. Lyle had obligations he needed to fulfill before that happens.”

  Lori wasn’t sure how to handle this—Jace’s attack. But having heard of her father’s shrewd business deals, she wasn’t surprised by the man’s anger.

  “I’m Lorelei Hutchinson, Mr....”

  He stepped closer. “Yeager. Jace Yeager. Your father and I were partners on a construction project until I realized Lyle pulled one over on me.”

  “Jace,” Bradley warned. “Work stopped because of Lyle’s death.”

  The man made a snorting sound. “It wouldn’t have if Lyle had put his share of money into the business account in the first place.” He glared at Lori. “Sorry if my impatience bothers you, but I’ve been waiting nearly three weeks and so have my men.”

  “Be patient a little while longer,” Bradley told him. “Everything should be resolved tomorrow.”

  That didn’t appease Mr. Yeager. “You don’t understand. I can’t keep the project site shut down indefinitely, or I go broke.” He turned that heated look on her and she oddly felt a stirring. “It seems tomorrow you’re coming into all the money. I want you to know that a chunk of that belongs to me.”

  Lori fought a gasp. “Look, Mr. Yeager, I don’t know anything about your partnership with Lyle, but I’ll have Paige look into it.”

  Jace Yeager had to work hard to keep himself under control. Okay, so he wasn’t doing a very good job. When he’d heard that Lorelei Hutchinson was coming today, he only saw red. Was she going to stroll in here, grab her daddy’s money and take off? He wasn’t going to be on the losing end with a woman again.