Bold Bodyguards [Triple Dare County, South Dakota 8] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance)

by Paige Cameron

  “This way we can get you and your suitcases inside without being seen. Although I doubt anyone would be around yet.” He went to her trunk and took out the two suitcases. Then he handed her his keys to unlock the door.

  They walked into a sunny, country kitchen with all modern equipment. At one end a table with four chairs had been placed in an alcove. Windows around it looked out on a forest on one side and the prairie and mountains on the other. Close to the house the water in a stream glistened in the brilliant afternoon sunlight.

  “I like this room.”

  “Come on and I’ll show you the rest. They walked through a dining room. Beyond it was a family room and off both a large living room faced the drive. “The master suite is on one side and three other bedrooms are on the other.”

  Garrick led her to the hallway on the right side of the living room. “You can take your pick.”

  Cora peeked in each room. Two bedrooms shared a bath. Each one on the ends had a private bathroom. “This is a big house for one man.”

  “I guess they planned for a foreman with a large family, and the got me instead.” He shrugged his shoulders and grinned.

  She walked back to the end bedroom that had windows facing the mountains. “I’ll take this one.”

  He put her suitcases down. “Do you need any help unpacking?” he said tongue-in-cheek.

  Cora looked at him and the door and nodded her head.

  “I’m leaving. You don’t have to threaten me.”

  A chuckle slipped out in spite of her trying to cover it up. When he smiled, his whole face shone with humor. She didn’t want to like him, but it was proving more difficult than she’d expected. After he walked out the door, she locked it and heard his soft laughter as he strolled down the hallway.

  The bedroom had pale-orchid-colored walls with white trim. The white bedspread had small purple flowers sewn on it. Cream-colored curtains hung at the large windows. Besides the king-size bed there was a large chest of drawers and a dresser. On one side by the windows were matching cream-colored chairs with a dark-purple wrap over the back of one of them. It was a restful room, and obviously not designed for a man. A knock on the door had her turning.

  “I thought we’d stop and say hello to Heather and then visit your parents,” Garrick said from beyond the closed door.

  “I haven’t started unpacking. I was looking around.”

  “You can do that later. It’s getting dark. You can sit low in the truck when we’re out on the road. No one will see you.”

  Cora opened the door. “I do want to see Heather. I’d hoped to talk with my parents alone.”

  “No way.” Garrick had crossed his arms and stood with his feet apart.

  “Is this your macho stance?”

  “This is my determined posture. I’ll let you have your way if it’s not important, but not if it might endanger your life.”

  “I think you men are blowing this all out of proportion.” She mimicked his posture.

  “You really are something.”

  Before she could move, Garrick pulled her into his arms and kissed her. She started to push him away. But when his firm lips touched hers and his warm, well-muscled body held her close, new and unexpected warmth spread through her body. Her heart pounded as her body tried to get closer.

  She heard his quick intake of breath, and then he put a slight distance between them. He cupped her face in his hands and his eyes were filled with a fierce hunger. Shocked, she shifted and moved back away from his touch.

  “I’ll get my purse and meet you at the front door.” Her voice quivered. “Go.”

  “I won’t say I’m sorry. I’m not.” He took rapid strides away from her.

  Cora touched her lips. His kiss had been hard and demanding. Her response had taken her by surprise. She walked to the window and waited until the tiny shivers of desire slowly faded. What am I going to do? This is not the reaction I expected. And getting involved with Kohana’s best friend would not be good.

  She looked in the mirror at her flushed face and puffy lips. “Cora, you are a strong woman. You can handle this. Get a grip,” she lectured herself. But hearing the words didn’t make her feel any more confident.

  Chapter Three

  Heather hugged Cora. “I’m so sorry this is happening to you. The good part is we’ll get to see each other every day. I’d like us to become friends now that I’m no longer your patient.”

  “I’d like that, too,” Cora said. “But I feel guilty about leaving my patients in the middle of their therapy. Still, the lady who took them is good. She’ll follow my treatment plan.”

  “You need more of a life than your work. But I understand the feelings,” Heather said. “This may turn out to be good for you.”

  “It certainly was for you. You’re glowing.”

  Heather rubbed her tummy. “We’re so excited about the baby.”

  “Boy or girl?”

  “We don’t want to know. It doesn’t matter. We’ll be happy with either.”

  “You’ll have a nice surprise,” Cora said.

  “I hate to break this up, but Cora and her husbands want to eat, and we’re due at your mother’s. When you called them from the truck, I heard you tell them we’d be there by seven,” Garrick said and pointed at his watch.

  “Go, we’ll have lots of time to visit tomorrow.” Heather, Beck, and Gavin waved good-bye to them as they drove off.

  Cora frowned at Garrick as he headed toward her parents’ home. “I think you like to order people around.”

  He glanced her way and then back to the road. “I like to be punctual. And maybe I do enjoy ordering you around. Your reaction is fun to watch.” She made a noise. “Did I hear you growl at me?”

  “No, I called you a derogatory name.”

  “Nope, I’m sure it was a growl.”

  “You’re impossible. I may change my mind and go stay with Heather after all.”

  Garrick pulled to the side of the road and scooted across the seat to pull her close. “You won’t.” He ran his hand along the side of her face and kissed her softly on the mouth. Then he slid back behind the steering wheel and drove onto the road. “We’re just getting to know each other.”

  “That doesn’t give you free rein to touch my body.”

  Even to her, her voice sounded weak.

  “All you have to do is say no or pull away. I’ll stop. It’s all in your hands, sweetheart.”

  “I am not your sweetheart. My name is Cora.”

  “What’s your middle name?”

  “Why?”

  “Just tell me.”

  “It’s Dyani, it means deer.”

  “I like Dyani. It’s a softer name than Cora. I’m going to call you Dyani, and every time I do you’ll know I mean d-e-a-r.”

  “You will not. The only person who calls me by my Native American name is my father and his family.”

  “I’ll ask his permission.”

  “He won’t give it. Turn here.” She pointed to a narrow paved road on their left. “It’s the second house on the right.”

  Her mother came outside before they got out of the truck. She waited on the porch. When they got to her she said, “At last you bring a male friend to meet us.” She smiled at Garrick. “You must be special. Welcome to our home.”

  Inwardly, Cora groaned. Her mother had gotten the wrong impression. She wasn’t going to be happy when she found out the real reason they had come for dinner.

  “He’s very handsome,” her mother whispered to Cora while Garrick shook her father’s hand. “My dream is coming true,” her mother added. “I knew when you brought someone home he’d be the one.”

  “He’s not the one,” Cora whispered back.

  “Ah, but he is. I saw the way he looked at you.”

  Cora’s dad gave her a bear hug. He wore a big smile, too. This was going to be a difficult and long evening.

  “Come eat. I hope you’re hungry.”

  “I am,” Garrick said and wa
lked with her mother to the dining room. He glanced back once at Cora and winked.

  Darn it. He was enjoying this. She frowned at him, but his eyes sparkled with laughter. Cora watched as he pulled her mother’s chair back and then did the same for her. Momma adored him already. She was in a heap of trouble.

  “When did you two meet?” her mother asked.

  “A few years ago, but we’ve only gotten to know each other better recently,” Garrick said.

  “You must have made a good impression. My daughter is very picky,” her father added.

  “Mom and Dad, we aren’t a couple. We came to discuss a more serious problem.”

  “What’s more serious than the problem of my only child being single at thirty-eight?” She glanced at Garrick. “She’s shy. But don’t take too long before you marry her, or she’ll be past her fertile period.”

  “Momma!” Cora’s face blushed red-hot. “We are not in love, and we’re certainly not going to marry.”

  “I don’t think I’d mind. Maybe we should consider it.”

  “Don’t lead her on.”

  “Now children, don’t argue,” her mother said. “Enjoy the meal. We’ll discuss this more, later.”

  Cora stabbed her fork into her steak. “No, we won’t.”

  No one talked. They ate the delicious food and occasionally glanced at each other. Her mother continued to smile, but her father had a more concerned look on his face. Cora knew he was beginning to worry.

  Toward the end, Garrick spoke. “This has been a wonderful home-cooked meal. I don’t get them often. Thank you, very much,” he said to her mother. Then he looked at the other end of the table to her father. “I have a request. Cora said no one calls her Dyani, but you and your family. I like the name and would prefer to call her that. Do I have your permission?”

  “I told you he’ll never allow it, and I don’t like the idea.”

  Both men ignored her. Her father studied Garrick. “Do you care for my daughter?”

  “I do.”

  “He’s caring for me because I’m in danger. That’s all.”

  Her father gave Cora his full attention. “How are you in danger?”

  “You explain,” she said to Garrick.

  He told her parents about the phone call from Kohana and the plan to keep her safe. “Just in case the men do come looking for her.”

  “I can protect my own daughter.” Her father frowned at Garrick. “I don’t know you or your capabilities to take care of her.”

  “I worked with Kohana. I would die before I let her get hurt.”

  “No man is perfect. They might outsmart you and kidnap her.”

  “True, but I am good at my job.” He explained more about his experiences as a soldier of fortune.

  “What’s wrong with her staying with us? My family will help us protect her,” her father insisted.

  “Dad,” Cora said, leaning toward him. “You will need to keep Mom and you safe. Have your brothers help keep watch over both of you.

  “We’re saying I’ve gone on vacation and haven’t told you two where I went.” She looked at her mother. “Mom, tell your friends you’re upset that I left without telling you what my plans were. Let it get around town. Where Garrick lives is isolated. It’s the best place for me to hide until this threat is gone.”

  Her mother started crying. “I’m so afraid for you, Cora.”

  “Don’t be. Besides Garrick, Beck and Gavin will be helping. No one will get to me.”

  “I want to talk with Beck or Gavin,” her father said.

  “Use my phone, sir. It’s just a precaution.”

  Cora listened as her father questioned both Gavin and Beck. “So you agree with Mr. Tasmin that this is the best plan? All right, but if I change my mind I’ll come for my daughter. You’d all better keep her safe.” He glared across at Garrick and handed him his phone.

  “You agree, sir?”

  “Reluctantly, but not to you calling her Dyani.”

  “I’ll earn your trust, and you’ll let me.”

  “I’m a tough man, and I don’t change my mind easily.”

  “Then I’ll work hard to earn your respect.”

  “Keep my daughter safe, or my brothers and I will visit you.”

  “Yes, sir.” Garrick put out his hand and her father shook it. “We’d better go. I’m going to buy some throwaway phones. Cora will use those to call you.”

  “Good idea,” her father said. He and Cora’s mom walked them to the door.

  Her mother hugged her tight and whispered, “I still think he’d make a good son-in-law.”

  Cora kissed her mom on the cheek and shook her head. “You have a one-track mind.”

  On their way home, Garrick looked over in her direction. “I liked your folks.”

  “They liked you until you told my dad why you were really there. But Mom still likes you without reservation.”

  “She wants you to get married. Why haven’t you? You are smart, funny, and intelligent besides being beautiful. Surely all the men in Triple Creeks Township aren’t as dumb as Kohana was.”

  “I never found anyone who could convince me to give up the life I have. I enjoy my work, I have friends, and I have my own home. I don’t need a man.”

  “Your body responds to mine like you do.”

  “That’s lust. You are handsome and a good kisser, but love is needed for a happy marriage.”

  “Lusty love is the best. Have you ever considered a marriage with two men?”

  “No. I just said I didn’t need marriage even with one man.”

  “Time can change our ideas.” He turned into the drive to his house. The headlights shone on the large picture window in the living room.

  “I won’t change,” she said emphatically.

  “Stay here.” Garrick went to the front door and unlocked it. He disappeared inside. After a few minutes he came outside and opened her door. He lifted her out and carried her into the house.

  When he sat her feet on the floor, he stared at her with a calm and contemplative expression. “Call me if you need something. I’m going to bed after I recheck all the doors and windows. I have one throwaway phone in my desk in the family room.” He took quick steps in that direction.

  He opened the wrapping and punched in some numbers. “I’ve put my phone number on speed dial for you. If you get scared, call me. I’ll be there in a second.”

  “You’re scaring me.”

  “I meant to. This is not a game, it’s real. See you in the morning.”

  Cora walked to the bedroom she was using and closed the curtains before turning on the light. She sat in the closest chair.

  I thought he might try to kiss me. I’m not sure whether I’m glad he didn’t, or disappointed.

  She walked through the small hallway off the bedroom. Each side held a walk-in closet and at the end was the bathroom. Cora flipped the light on. The colors were white and the greenish-blue of the sea. A tub with jets sat on the right side of the room. At the back of the room was a shower and on the other side were double sinks and a long counter.

  Beck and Gavin had gone all out for their foreman’s house. This was a plush guest room. She took off her clothes and tested the water before getting in the shower. As the warm water ran over her head, her mind whirled.

  Her life had changed one hundred and eighty degrees since the morning, and it had left her exhausted and confused. Hopefully a good night’s sleep would help her regain her balance.

  * * * *

  “What did you find out?” the tough-looking man behind the large desk asked the private detective he’d hired.

  “He grew up in a small town in Wyoming called Triple Creeks Township.”

  “And?” the other man snarled.

  “I found an old-timer who loves to talk. Apparently Shanley dated a local girl named Cora before leaving town almost twenty years ago. The man said he hadn’t been back.”

  “That’s a long time to think about a chick,” the man beh
ind the desk commented.

  “I also checked around about the town where he spends his downtime when he’s not on an assignment. It seems he doesn’t date. He might have a short affair, but nothing serious.”

  “That isn’t unusual for those types of guys. I have a difficult time believing it’s someone he hasn’t seen in almost twenty years. Do more checking. If we don’t find anyone else, then I’ll send a few of my guys there to pay her a visit.”

  The man nodded and slipped out the door. The man standing beside the entrance walked closer. “What do you think, Leo?”

  “I think we have to find this woman if we want to get the information Shanley has and be able to rescue our leader.”

  “Why not go after one of the other men?”

  “They’re all on alert. We won’t catch another one unaware. Let’s see what this guy can find out, and then take him out and shoot him. We don’t want to leave him behind to tell the wrong person our plan.”

  * * * *

  When Garrick got to his bedroom, he called Jarvis. “How’s Kohana doing?” he asked when Jarvis answered. “It’s too late for me to call him.”

  “He’s doing very well. The doctors are surprised at how quickly he’s recovering, but then he always kept himself in tip-top shape. What’s happening at your end?

  “Cora’s staying with me, and my bosses are helping me watch out for her when I’m out on the range working. Have you heard anything about these guys who may be looking for her?”

  “They’re laying low. But I have friends listening out for any information.”

  “Good. She’s not happy about taking time off from work. We need to clear this up as fast as possible.”

  “We want to get these guys as badly as you.”

  “Ask Kohana to call when he feels up to it.”

  “He’s giving the docs a hard time about not releasing him. I’m sure he’ll call you tomorrow.”

  Garrick shut his phone off and lay across his bed. Thinking about Cora being in his house made desire race through his body, and the urge to walk down the hall and join her in bed was very strong. He smiled at the thought. She’d be indignant, but he suspected after a few seconds her body would give in. However, he’d never do that. In a short period of time, she’d become important to him. He wanted her mind and body to agree she cared for him. It wouldn’t be easy. Kohana had hurt her deeply, and she’d had years to build sturdy walls around her heart.