Romancing the Guardians Series: Part One (Romancing the Guardians Box Set Book 1)

by Lyn Horner

  Hovering near her charge, Josephina asked, “Should I bring coffee, Miss Beth?”

  “Yes, that would be lovely, Josie, and please bring some of your delicious cinnamon cookies, too.”

  “Of course. I will only be a few moments.”

  As her caregiver’s footsteps fade away down the hall, Beth folded thin, weak looking hands in her lap. Lara couldn’t help noticing that her fingers were crooked in a sort of clawed position. Forcing herself not to stare, she met the woman’s watchful eyes. They were the same gray shade as Conn’s.

  “How do you know my son, Lara, if you don’t mind satisfying my curiosity?” she asked.

  “Oh, uh, we met in Ireland. Conn, I mean Connor, answered my ad for a chauffeur and he took the job.” She darted a glance at Conn. “Temporarily, that is.”

  “Things got a little complicated, forcing us to leave there and fly home,” he added.

  “Complicated how?” Beth probed, arching fine dark brows.

  Conn leaned forward, elbows on his knees, and loosely clasped his hands. “Lara is being threatened by a pack of lowlifes who mean to steal something that’s been in her family for generations. Two of them broke into her cottage in County Kerry intending to take it from her by force. I, uh, convinced them to leave, but figuring they’d be back, we left the next day. I’m pretty sure we shook them off our trail for the time being. Problem is they know my name and where I’m from, so going to my place was out.”

  Beth sat tense and silent through his greatly abbreviated story, a light frown on her face. Expecting her to ask what exactly the lowlifes were after, Lara was surprised when she instead said, “I see, and you’re in need of a place to hide?”

  “Yeah, but that’s not why we’re here, and we can’t stay long.”

  “I see, and as pleased as I am to meet Lara, that’s not your reason for coming to see me either. Am I right?”

  Conn’s mouth quirked upward. “You are. We came to warn you. I’ll be taking Lara to a safe place, but since her enemies know my identity, there’s a good chance they’ll find out about you too. So, I want you and Josephina to pack some things and leave here as soon as possible, tonight or tomorrow morning at the latest. You don’t want to be around if those thugs show up, believe me.”

  His mother swung her gaze from him to Lara and back again, lips pursed in a thoughtful expression. Before she could reply, Josephina walked in carrying a tray of coffee and cookies. As she deposited the tray on the coffee table, Beth cleared her throat.

  “Josie, how would you like to take a trip with me?”

  Josephina straightened to stare at her. “Where would we go?”

  “I have in mind visiting Colorado. My brother-in-law has offered to let me use his cabin many times. I’ve decided to take him up on the offer.” Beth sent Conn a questioning look. “Perhaps I should invite your sister to meet us there. What do you think, Connor?”

  He nodded. “Great idea. An escape from everything might do her good.”

  “I believe you’re right.”

  “By the way, I met some cousins in County Kerry,” he said casually.

  “What?” Beth went ramrod straight. “You found our kin?”

  Grinning, he winked devilishly at Lara. “Sure did, with help from a friend.”

  *

  Against Conn’s better judgment, he and Lara spent the night with his mother. He’d wanted to get them all on the road and out of danger that evening, but by the time he finished telling his mother about their Irish relatives, it was past sundown. She and Josie needed time to pack, make arrangements with a neighbor to bring in the mail and, oh yeah, call his Uncle Peter to make sure he was still willing to let them use his cabin. Aside from all that, Conn knew Lara was tired after the drive from Houston. Seeing how she rubbed her temples as if fighting a headache, he decided a night’s rest was called for.

  Since there was only one spare bedroom left in the house – Josephina had the other one – he insisted Lara take it. He camped out on the couch with his Glock tucked under his pillow, just in case trouble came calling during the night again. Fortunately, none did.

  The sun was peeking over the eastern horizon when he backed down the driveway the next morning. He shifted gears and pulled forward up the street a short way, far enough for Josie to back his mother’s big SUV out after him. The vehicle was loaded down with the women’s luggage, his mom’s wheelchair and other paraphernalia she needed to make life easier for her. Traveling was a major undertaking for a disabled person like her, but she hadn’t complained, which he appreciated. He was also glad she’d spoken to his sister last night and convinced Tamara, after a lengthy discussion, to come to Colorado.

  He started out with Josie following as far as the nearest major intersection. Then they parted ways, waving to each other as the two women headed for the highway leading west. Conn turned east toward Louisiana and Lara’s all important doctor appointment.

  CHAPTER NINE

  “Mmm hmm,” Doctor Harmon muttered, adding something under his breath that Lara didn’t catch. He stood with his back to her, hands tucked in the pockets of his white lab coat as he studied her x-rays on a light box mounted on the wall to her right.

  She sat in front of his desk, in a wheelchair supplied by his office, watching him. Anxiety knotted her stomach and sizzled along her nerve endings as she waited for him to pronounce his verdict. Finally, he turned, an impenetrable expression on his nut-brown face. As always, he reminded her of James Earl Jones. Fingering his gray goatee, he walked to the desk and sat down facing her.

  “My dear, you should be in a wheelchair for the rest of your life,” he said with a shake of his head.

  Lara expelled a harsh breath and slumped forward, burying her face in her hands, sick with despair. This was what she had feared, that she would never walk again.

  “However, thanks to the remarkable healing ability of the human body, your bones have knitted amazingly well, with help from the rod I implanted.”

  Raising her head, Lara gripped the arms of her chair and stared at his round, smiling face. “D-do you mean … ?”

  “I mean you can begin putting weight on your right leg.” Giving her a broad grin, he pulled off his black-rimmed glasses and polished them with a tissue.

  “Oh, thank God! I’ve been so afraid. I can’t believe it.”

  “Believe it, young lady. You’ve healed far better than I expected.” He replaced his glasses and bent his stern gaze upon her. “Mind you, you will need to continue wearing your brace at least eight more weeks and use a cane until your leg muscles regain their strength. After that, you may walk with a slight limp. Otherwise, I believe you will be good as new.”

  A lump formed in Lara’s throat and tears of joy blurred her vision, overflowing to wet her cheeks. “Dr. Harmon, I … I don’t know how to thank you,” she said in a thick, wobbly voice.

  “Seeing you on your feet again is all the thanks I need. Speaking of which, I want to see you back here in eight weeks. Until then, take it slow. Don’t try to do too much too soon.”

  “I won’t,” she promised, accepting the tissue he offered and dabbing at her eyes.

  Standing, he started for the door. “I’ll have my nurse set up an appointment for you and ask her to send in your friend.”

  Lara sat stunned with happiness, tears still trickling from her eyes. She was blowing her nose when Conn walked in. She looked up and he paused to gaze at her, alarm drawing his brows together. He muttered a curse and hurried to crouch beside her, cupping her shoulder with his big, gentle hand.

  “Ah, honey, is the news that bad?”

  “What?” She gave a watery laugh. “No, no, it’s good news. Great news! My leg is healed, or nearly so. I can start walking on it.”

  A relieved smile split his ruggedly handsome features. “That’s terrific, sweetheart.”

  “I do need to wear my brace for several more weeks and use a cane, but I don’t care. I can walk again. That’s all that matters.”

>   “Darn tootin’! And pretty soon you’ll be dancing.” He kissed her scarred cheek then rose and swung the chair toward the door. “Come on, let’s get you out of this thing and find a cane.”

  *

  Conn shut the door to the motel room they’d shared and with Lara clinging to his arm, guided her slowly out to his truck. Two days had passed since she’d been given the go-ahead to start walking, but she was still hesitant about putting too much weight on her right leg. She gingerly placed each footstep and leaned heavily on her new cane.

  Following her doctor appointment, he’d driven straight to the nearest drug store, where he had run in to purchase a cane while Lara waited in the truck. She’d giggled at first sight of the black walking stick with pink flowers spiraling around it, and had thrown her arms around his neck in excitement. He’d stolen a quick kiss, longing to deepen it, but had held himself in check, not wanting to dampen her high spirits.

  They reached his Silverado and he lifted her into the passenger seat, rounded the truck and climbed in. His Harley was still securely chained in place behind them, as it had been ever since leaving Dev’s place in Houston. When they arrived at the company cabin he’d gotten permission from his boss to use, he planned to unload the bike and take Lara for a ride. Pulling around to the motel office, he parked but left the motor and the AC running.

  “This shouldn’t take long.” he said. “You might as well stay here and keep cool.” She gave a silent nod and he went to check them out. When he returned minutes later, he found her bobbing her head and humming along with a Buddy Holly tune playing on the radio.

  “You like rock ‘n roll?” he asked, putting the truck in gear and heading for the street.

  “Sure I do.”

  “And here I thought you preferred classical music. That’s what you went for at the record store back in Killarney.” He shot her a grin, drawing a smile in return.

  “I love certain classical composers, but I was raised on old time rock. It was Uncle Malcolm’s favorite kind of music. What about you?”

  He gave a one-shoulder shrug. “I like some of it, but I’m a country boy at heart. Give me something by George Strait or Patsy Cline and I’m a happy man.”

  “I enjoy the newer kind of country music with a strong beat to it, although I couldn’t tell you the performers’ names.” She shrugged. “You could say my taste in music is eclectic.”

  “Yeah? What about in men?” he asked half teasingly, half seriously. One glance at Lara’s sudden frown told him she didn’t cotton to his snoopy question.

  Training her eyes on the passing countryside, she spoke in a guarded tone. “I can’t say. I was skinny as a rail in high school and wore braces until my senior year. Most of the boys didn’t give me a second glance. The few who did, well, let’s just say they didn’t turn me on. In college, I had one … relationship. I haven’t had time for romance since then.”

  “Yeah? What happened to the relationship?”

  She gave a careless shrug. “It ended. I’d rather not talk about it.”

  “Okay.” He let the subject drop for the time being. There were subjects he didn’t like talking about, too, but he had a gut feeling that college relationship had something to do with her wariness toward him. Their conversation lagged and before long, Lara fell asleep. They were deep in the Piney Woods of East Texas when she woke up.

  “Where are we?” she asked, yawning and squinting at sunlight filtering through the tall pines that lined the road.

  “We’re almost there. It’s just around the next bend.”

  “Good. Sorry for falling asleep.” Yawning again, she stretched and arched her back.

  Conn cast a glance at her and nearly drove off the road at the sight of her breasts thrusting against her knit top. “Uh, no problem,” he said in a husky voice, mouth suddenly as dry as dust.

  She gave him a funny look then turned to stare out her side window. “There’s a lake. I can see it through the trees.”

  Clearing his throat, he managed to speak in a normal tone. “Yeah. Guess I forgot to tell you the cabin backs up to Caddo Lake.”

  “That must make a lovely setting.”

  They rounded a gentle curve and he slowed to turn onto the winding lane leading to the cabin. When it appeared beyond a screen of trees, Lara cried out in surprise, making Conn grin.

  “That’s the cabin? It’s huge!” She gaped at the two-story log structure as he pulled to a stop in the horseshoe drive. The place was impressive with its wraparound porch, arched double doors, oversize windows, and immaculately landscaped grounds.

  “I suppose lodge is the proper name for it. Like I told you, the place belongs to the company I work for. The big bosses use it for meetings and to entertain clients. Once a year they throw a company-wide barbeque out here. When there’s nothing going on, they also make it available to us roughnecks. Luckily, it’s empty for the next couple weeks.”

  She scowled at him. “You’re a devil, Connor O’Shea! You deliberately didn’t tell me what to expect, admit it.” Her lips twitched, telling him her affronted act was all in fun.

  “You got me there, honey.” Laughing softly, he reached over to give her shiny black braid a tug. He didn’t intend to kiss her, but when her eyes widened and her cherry lips parted, he couldn’t stop himself from cupping her head and bending across the center console to taste those sweet lips. She tensed briefly but then opened her mouth to his exploring tongue, giving a tiny moan of pleasure.

  He broke away, cursing the damn console that separated them. Swiftly flipping it up out of the way to form a middle seat, he scooted over, closing the small space between them. Feeling her warm, rapid breath fan his face, he reclaimed her lips and drew her to him, groaning at the soft pressure of her breasts against his chest and the urgent way her hands grasped his shoulders.

  An eerie, drawn out cry ruptured their quiet surroundings. Conn ripped his lips from Lara’s and she gasped as he jerked his head up. He twisted around, glancing sharply from side to side, searching for the source of the unearthly sound.

  “What was that?” Lara whispered, voice shaking.

  The answer struck him and he grinned. “I expect that’s just Milo. He’s what you’d call the groundskeeper for this place, cuts the grass, trims hedges and such. I heard he’s got a cabin, a real cabin, not far from here. I ran into him once when I was out here for one of the company shindigs. He’s big and strong as a horse but kind of slow in the head, and he doesn’t talk, just makes noises and hand gestures.”

  “But that was such an awful sound. Are you sure it wasn’t an animal?”

  No, he wasn’t absolutely sure, but he’d never heard an animal give such a strange, mournful cry, and he wasn’t about to repeat the rumors he’d heard about what might live in these dense woods. Ridiculous stories spread by a bunch of crazies, that’s all they were. Conn saw no point in frightening Lara with them.

  “I’m sure,” he lied. “Let’s go inside.” Figuring she’d feel safer indoors, he helped her from the truck, across a short flagstone path and up the lodge’s porch steps. While she attempted to peak through a frosted window in one of the double doors, he fished a key from his pants pocket, overnighted to him by his boss.

  Unlocking the massive oak doors, he stepped inside and disarmed the alarm system. Behind him, he heard Lara catch her breath as she followed him in. He turned and found her standing there, staring at the great room to their right.

  “Wow! It’s … grand,” she said.

  “Good word for it.” The room’s beamed cathedral ceiling, golden pine walls and massive stone fireplace were intended to impress and pamper clients. Expensive, country-casual furnishings added to the effect. At the far back corner, a staircase curved upward to the second floor balcony and the sleeping quarters beyond.

  Conn led Lara down a short hallway to the dining room, which extended across the entire back of the building. A rustic plank-style table, long enough to comfortably seat a dozen or more guests, dominated th
e room. Behind the table, a wall of windows overlooked one of the many meandering channels of Caddo Lake. Cypress trees jutted from the water, their branches dripping Spanish moss. Off to the left, a boathouse and dock completed the picture.

  “What a beautiful view!” Lara exclaimed. Then she turned her head and caught sight of the kitchen, lying behind them to the left, across from the great room. Gushing over the tall oak cabinets, granite counters and restaurant-size stainless steel appliances, she said wistfully, “I’ve dreamed of having a kitchen like this.”

  “You like to cook?”

  “I love to cook. Once, a long time ago, I even thought of opening a restaurant. Before … before everything.”

  “So, why don’t you? When we end this business with the Hounds, I mean.”

  She smiled sadly and shook her head. “I’m beginning to doubt it will ever end.” Meeting his gaze, she shrugged. “And there is no we. You have a job to go back to, remember?”

  Conn frowned, hating the thought of being separated from her. “Yeah, I remember.” Rubbing the back of his neck, he said, “The bedrooms are upstairs if you’d like to check ’em out. Since you’re the guest of honor, you can have any one you want.”

  “And where will you sleep?”

  “As close to you as I can get, honey.” He added a teasing grin.

  She eyed him warily for a moment. Then her lips crooked upward. “Cute, real cute, O’Shea. Now tell me where you’ll really sleep.”

  “In the room next to yours, where I can get to you quickly in case of trouble,” he clarified.

  “Oh, of course.” She gave another crooked smile. “You’ll probably need to help me up the stairs.”

  “My pleasure,” he said with a wink.

  *

  The following morning, Lara emerged from her room to find Conn waiting in the hall, ready to escort her downstairs. He was leaning against the wall opposite her door, arms crossed and looking bored, but he straightened at the sight of her, arms dropping to his sides. His gray eyes widened, their heated gaze traveling over her. She wore a new shirt and pair of jeans she’d purchased in Shreveport, having prevailed upon her gallant bodyguard to take her to a store near their motel. The jeans were a snug fit and the boat-necked, pinkish-orange knit shirt molded her breasts. Perhaps a bit too well, she thought, blushing.