Take a Mountain Man Home for Christmas: A Mountain Man Romance Christmas Collection

by Crowne, K. C.

“Oh, you knew Glen Wiley?”

  “Yeah, went to high school together.”

  “That right?” He nodded. “So, you know his daughter, Madison?”

  “Heard of her but couldn’t point her out in a line-up. Never met either of his kids.” He smirked again. “We lost touch years ago.”

  I returned the IDs. “So, what are you doing hanging out in your car? Waiting on someone?”

  “No, just talking. I had a phone call and didn’t want to talk and drive.”

  “Of course,” I said, my sarcasm easily perceivable.

  “If it’s alright with you, Sheriff, we’ll be on our way.”

  “Sure, sure.” I tipped my hat. “Drive safely.”

  Something didn’t sit right with me, but I wasn’t sure what it was. I had nothing besides maybe the tinted windows to go off of, and that - at worst - was a ticket. No reason to bring them in, no reason to question them further.

  They drove off, and I headed back into the diner. Madison was staring out the window, trembling slightly.

  “Recognize them?” I asked her.

  “That’s one of Stan’s brothers.”

  “Do you know his name?”

  She shook her head. “He went by Mac. That’s all I know.”

  “His ID said Maverick Miller.”

  “It’s probably fake,” she said with certainty. “I know my dad had a fake identity for a while there, probably more than one.”

  “I really don’t like the fact that they were sitting outside and watching you,” I said.

  “Yeah, me either.”

  “I really think you should reconsider heading back to L.A.”

  “No way. I’m talking to Jack,” she said.

  “Madison, please—”

  “I can take care of myself, Teddy. Don’t you worry about that,” she said hotly. “Besides, it’s not like they have any reason to go after me. I’m not involved in their dealings. And my dad is dead. What could they possibly want with me?”

  I prayed that she was right. I still didn’t like it.

  Madison reached across the table and took my hands, pulling me out of my thoughts. Her blue eyes sparkled, and she gave me a mischievous smile.

  “I’m only going to be in town a few more days anyway,” she said. “So, what do you say we go back to my hotel room for a bit?”

  “I can’t,” I said. Her face fell, so I quickly added, “I’m still working. I’m just on lunch. But maybe we could get together after. Dinner, maybe?”

  I knew this was a dangerous game. I could see myself falling for Madison, but at the same time, the arrangement was perfect. She would be leaving before long. Might as well enjoy it while it lasted. It had been a long time since I’d enjoyed the company of a woman, and Madison was special.

  “Dinner?” she asked, cocking her head and lifting her eyebrows as she thought it over.

  “Yeah, or we can meet afterward. I just thought I’d be a gentleman and buy you dinner before you leave town for good.”

  She giggled and nodded. “Alright. Dinner.”

  “Pick you up at the hotel around seven?”

  “It’s a date,” she said with an adorable grin.

  Damn. It was a good thing she wasn’t staying in town long, or I’d be in real trouble.

  Madison

  I felt like a private detective. I had Hannah watching for Jack, along with a few others around town. I was just leaving Smothered in Love when my phone pinged.

  Jack sighting at the liquor store!

  Thank you, Hannah, I thought. I typed a quick thank you before rushing down the street to the Liberty Package Liquor. That was one good thing about small towns - everything was within walking distance, mostly. I was outside the building in five minutes.

  Jack hurried out of the store and to his truck, a brown paper bag in his hands.

  “Jack! Wait up!”

  He stopped in his tracks. When he saw me, he frowned. “What are you doing, Madison? Are you having me followed?”

  I walked over to him with a smirk. “Something like that, yes,” I admitted. “I told you it wouldn’t be the last you’d see of me.”

  His eyes shifted as if he was scanning the vicinity. “Why are you still in town?”

  “I wanted to see you again,” I stated simply. “And, I’ll admit, I’m trying to help you.”

  “Help me how?”

  “Help clear your name, Jack. Though I don’t understand why you won’t leave Liberty. I’m sure you can request a new parole officer in another place.”

  “I am not going to be chased out of my home,” he said, his jaw clenching tightly.

  “I’m worried about you,” I confessed, looking at him until he looked at me. “I’ve heard some rumors.” My voice softened. I didn’t want him to think I believed those rumors, but like Teddy had said - I also didn’t know my brother very well these days.

  “What have you heard?”

  “Some folks think you’re involved in the recent string of break-ins in town.”

  Jack scoffed, rolling his eyes and laughing. “Of course they do.”

  “And they think you killed Dad.”

  Jack stopped laughing, and his face turned serious. He shifted the brown paper bag from his right to his left hand, almost like a nervous tick. “Well, they’ll say anything, won’t they? In their eyes, I’m the devil. Every bad thing that happens in Liberty is my fault.”

  “I want to help. I want to clear your name,” I said earnestly.

  “No, Madison. You need to stay out of it,” he refused, shaking his head. “Get the hell outta town before these assholes drag you down too.”

  “They’re not going to drag me down,” I insisted. “I won’t let them.”

  “You got a good life in L.A, right?”

  “I mean, it’s nothing glamorous, but I support myself,” I said.

  “Then go back and forget about all this bullshit,” he said. He moved past me and climbed into the driver’s side of his truck.

  “Jack, please—I can’t lose you too!” I finally said, my voice louder than I intended.

  “You haven’t lost me, Maddy. But if you stick around much longer, I might lose you.”

  Shocked, my mouth dropped open until I could articulate a response. “What do you mean?”

  He shook his head. “Please, just go back to L.A.”

  “I’m not going anywhere until I get some answers.”

  “Stubborn as always, I see.” He chuckled mirthlessly.

  “I learned from the best.”

  He stared at me for a moment, his expression a little annoyed, a little prideful. “Just how are you planning to clear my name, huh?”

  “I don’t know yet,” I admitted sheepishly. “But I’ll figure something out.”

  Then it hit me. If anyone knew the names of Dad’s old friends, it would be Jack. Well, Jack or Mom, but there was no way I wanted to reach out to my mom yet.

  “Hey, quick question. Do you remember Stan’s brother’s name, the one who made the fake IDs for Dad?”

  “Why?”

  “Just curious.” I didn’t want to give my brother any more reason to worry about me. No need to mention that the man might have been following me. Maybe it was a coincidence, I told myself. There was no reason for him to be following me.

  “Plan to get a fake ID made?”

  “No,” I laughed. “Just tell me, please?”

  “Robert McBride.”

  As soon as he said the name, it rang a bell. I nodded. “Thanks, Jack. Now can I get your phone number or your address, something so I don’t have to use bloodhounds to track you down?”

  He sighed. I could tell he didn’t really want to give me the information. Not because he didn’t want us to see each other again. I had no doubt that my brother loved me still. There was something else going on with him, though, and he was trying to protect me from whatever it was.

  “Please, Jack,” I pleaded. “I need my big brother. I promise to leave town soon as long as we can
stay in touch.”

  He sighed again, though it didn’t sound quite as despondent. “Fine,” he said. “Give me your phone.”

  I handed it over, and he typed in his contact information.

  “One sec,” I said, hitting the call button. His phone rang, and he raised an eyebrow. “Just wanted to be sure you didn’t give me a fake number,” I said with a smile. “Thanks, bro.”

  “Please, Mads, don’t stick around too much longer.”

  I said goodbye and let Jack leave. I felt a lot better, knowing that my brother and I had reconnected. No matter what else happened, at least we had each other.

  I never wanted to lose him again.

  Ooo000ooo

  I’d lost track of time while searching for information on Robert McBride. His name brought up a lot of hits, and it took some time wading through all the information, but when I finally found it - there was a lot. I stared in awe at the latest article I had pulled up.

  Robert “Mac” McBride was exonerated of all blame for a murder in Sunville, Utah, a small town about an hour from Liberty. He wasn’t found innocent; the case was dropped due to lack of evidence and some screwups by the police. Mac had one of the best defense attorneys in the country, and he’d found all kinds of issues with the trial. It was the only reason he was walking free today.

  Stan had a clean record, nothing at all to convict him on. He was the one in charge. But his younger brother, the one following me, had one hell of a record. No wonder he was going by a fake name.

  But why was he following me?

  A knock on the door startled me enough that I let out a small screech. I jumped up, running over to check the peephole, expecting to see Robert or Stan or one of their henchmen on the other side.

  Instead, I saw Teddy’s handsome face.

  Shit, I scolded myself. We had a date tonight. I had forgotten all about that in my quest to find information on the McBride brothers. I was still wearing a ratty pair of jeans and a t-shirt. My hair was piled high in a messy bun, and I wasn’t wearing a lick of makeup. Not that Teddy seemed to care, but I had wanted to dress up and look my best tonight.

  Too late for that now.

  I unlatched the door and opened it, and Teddy looked me over like I was wearing the sexiest cocktail dress he’d ever laid eyes on. I loved the way he looked at me like I was the most beautiful woman in the world. I had my flaws like any regular girl did. But he still managed to make me feel like a supermodel.

  I bit my lip as I leaned against the door frame. “I’m sorry, I was so caught up in my research, I forgot about dinner tonight.”

  “Research?” Teddy lifted his brows and gave me a concerned look. “What are you researching?”

  “Well, if you come inside, I’ll show you,” I said, opening the door wider.

  Teddy stepped into the room and followed me to the desk situated next to the bed. I pulled up one of the chairs from the little table by the window for him.

  “So, I got the name of the man in the car earlier,” I told him. “His name is Robert McBride. Look what I found out about him.” I turned the laptop to face him and watched his expression as his brow furrowed.

  “These sound like some dangerous people, Madison. Why are they following you?”

  “I don’t know,” I said, shuddering as his concern caused my own. “I’m guessing because of my father. Maybe they’re afraid I know something?”

  “Maybe. Whatever it is, I don’t feel comfortable with you digging into their lives, just in case.”

  “But I need to find answers, Teddy.”

  “And I need you to be safe, Madison. Leave the police work to my guys and me, alright?”

  I stared at him, wanting to be angry. I didn’t like it when people told me what to do. But the look in Teddy’s eyes convinced me not to be upset. In fact, he looked so damned worried, it was sweet. I couldn’t remember a time someone other than my brother had cared this much about me.

  “You’re really worried about me, huh?” I asked.

  “Yeah, I am,” he said, sounding stern and protective.

  Something about the way he looked at me made me lean forward and kiss him. I pressed my lips to his while holding his face in my hands, his trim beard scratching my fingers.

  Teddy didn’t hesitate. He kissed me back, and before long, his hands were moving over my body, removing my clothing piece by piece. My shirt was tossed to the floor, as was his. He then removed my pants with impressive quickness.

  I removed his belt and unzipped his jeans. I slipped a hand down and grasped him. I couldn’t wrap my hand all the way around him. He was too thick. Still, I did my best, stroking him as we kissed.

  We moved over to the bed, and he laid me down on it. I stared up at him, watching as he removed the rest of his clothes. His body was a sight to behold.

  He didn’t give me much chance to look, however. He moved down my body, kissing my inner thighs as he spread my legs apart. Then he dove between them, his tongue finding my most sensitive parts and sending spasms of pleasure throughout my body.

  I grabbed the back of his head, unintentionally pulling him into me. His beard rubbed against my flesh, ticking me in places so few had touched.

  “Oh God,” I whimpered as he slid his tongue inside of me. He fucked me with his tongue, moving it in and out as one finger teased my clit.

  And it didn’t take me long at all to lose all control. I came faster than I ever had in my life, my nails digging into the back of his head as I writhed against the bed, my body spasming out of control.

  As soon as the orgasm subsided, I wanted more.

  I pulled his hair gently, nudging him to climb on top of me. Teddy slithered up the length of my body, kissing every inch as he went. When he was poised over me, he stared deep into my eyes. My wetness still coated his beard. He thrust into me, taking me by surprise. I cried out in pleasure, wrapping myself around him as he buried himself balls deep inside me.

  He rocked slowly back and forth as if savoring the sensation. I arched upward, trying to take even more of him inside me. I wanted all of him.

  I wanted to be his completely.

  I matched his movements, lifting my ass up to meet each of his thrusts, and before long, his movements became more erratic. More desperate.

  His breathing was ragged, and he could no longer suppress the moans, which were sexy as hell. I loved knowing that I could do that to him, that I made him feel as good as he did me.

  My cries of pleasure mixed with his groans, and before long, our bodies were trembling with a shared orgasm. As soon as I felt him throb inside me, I lost all control - my pussy spasmed around him, my body writhing beneath him.

  The very thought of him filling me with his seed turned me on, and it pushed me over the edge. His face contorted into a look of bliss, and it was fuel on the fire, extending my orgasm until I couldn’t take it anymore.

  He collapsed on top of me, barely holding himself up. His warm, sweaty flesh against mine felt amazing. I never wanted him to move. I wanted him to stay sheathed inside me for as long as possible.

  He kissed me, stroking my face as he gently pulled out of me. He rolled over to his side, and I turned toward him, finding the perfect spot on his chest to rest my head and listen to his heartbeat.

  He stroked my hair, and I almost fell asleep like that. My body was happy, as was my soul. I forgot about everything else going on in my life. The only thing that mattered was Teddy and me and the moment we shared.

  He cleared his throat and said in a gravelly voice, “I don’t know about you, but I don’t feel like going out anymore. Want to order a pizza and stay in instead?”

  I turned to look into his beautiful brown eyes and couldn’t stop myself from grinning from ear to ear. “I think that sounds like a marvelous idea.”

  We could stay in bed, wrapped around each other for a while longer, hopefully all night. That’s all I wanted. Food didn’t matter, but my stomach growled, reminding me that I still needed to eat.

&
nbsp; I wanted to cherish every second I had with him because God knew there wouldn’t be too many more.

  Teddy

  I had access to records and databases that Madison didn’t. I told her to hang tight and stop her research. I didn’t want her to get into trouble. I reminded her of that before I left that morning, telling her again to leave the police work to the actual police.

  I pulled up Robert McBride’s name in our police databases, and she was right. He was originally tied to a murder in Sunville. But that wasn’t the only crime he was linked to.

  He had at least one other murder charge, which had also been dropped. The police botched that one too. Either that or his attorney was just that good. The McBride family had money; they could hire the best of the best. I’d seen first-hand that money could buy you freedom if you knew what you were doing. It pissed me off watching these types of men get away with literal murder, but since all charges were dropped or he was acquitted, and I had no proof of any crimes in Liberty - besides the fake ID, of course - there was little I could do. I needed something more than just a fake ID charge. I needed to catch him and his brother in the act of an actual crime, and we wouldn’t botch it.

  We’d see those bastards behind bars where they belonged.

  I pulled up a mugshot from the year before for a burglary charge and verified that it was the man in the car.

  I had let my guys know that if they saw the vehicle around town to give me a call. I was going to keep an eye on the McBrides while they were in Liberty. I was going to find out what they were doing in my town and why they were watching Madison.

  My radio buzzed, interrupting. I answered with a clipped voice.

  “Boss, I found them,” Mike replied. “Want me to tail them?”

  “Where? I’ll be right there,” I said, standing up from my desk.

  “Parked outside the hotel right now,” he said. “But I think they’re getting ready to leave.”

  “I’ll be right there. Don’t let them out of your sight, you hear?”

  My heart raced. They were outside the hotel - Madison’s hotel. I didn’t feel comfortable with that at all. Even though it was within walking distance, I hurried to my personal vehicle. I might have to follow these fuckers, and I wanted to be ready.