“Thanks, man. Good to know you’re here to help keep an eye on the little brat,” Dave said to Mick.
“She’s a handful now as much as ever.” Derrick waved at his sister.
“Grow up, you two,” she called to them.
Mick chuckled. “I know you can take care of yourself, Tiffany.” He never understood why her brothers were so overprotective.
Mick suspected now they wanted her to settle down. Marriage fixed a lot of things in some old-fashioned mindsets. Tiffany’s family loved her, but the men had an odd way of showing it. Back in high school, her dad had warned Mick directly about messing with his daughter.
The brothers headed home while Mick headed into the bar. Tiffany followed, but instead of being able to talk to her, a friend of hers grabbed him by the arm and pulled him onto the dance floor. Luckily he was good with names.
“Bethany. Everything okay?” he asked.
“Yes, you’re so nice to take care of Tiffany. She’s such a hard worker, and what a jerk to not be grateful. He needs rehab.” She danced.
There was no choice but to dance or be very rude. Mick felt under scrutiny. The other two new women were taken, so this blonde flirt was out to push his buttons. A friendly inquisition.
“Rehab, yes. Doubt he’ll do it. You’re friends with Tiffany?” Mick asked.
“Sure. Her work partner is one of Gretchen’s men. I love this ménage thing. Great idea.” She nodded.
Mick knew a smooth operator when he met one. Some people could lie and make you their best friend with only minor tells. Bethany seemed genuine, but she knew just how to handle men. The gift of making people feel special seemed to come naturally to her. She gave him her full attention and biggest smile but didn’t talk his ear off.
“What do you do for a living?” he asked.
“It isn’t obvious?” She swept a dramatic hand around her face. “Hair and makeup. Nails too, but I’m not certified in this state for that. Beauty is my game. Tiffany is so lovely. She just needs to highlight it a bit.”
Mick smiled. “I see you’ve helped her there.”
“Absolutely. She’ll look so good in Gretchen’s wedding the men will be lining up. People just see her as a paramedic or a little sister. She needs new men, and nothing does that like a wedding. I have big plans.”
“Big plans for her? Not you?” Mick asked. He hid any frustration at the idea of other men lining up to dance with Tiff. Hiding his emotions was second nature. His childhood had been harsh enough. He’d used Tiff’s family to hide out and had no right to expect anything from her.
The James house had enough sons that one more hanging around didn’t piss off anyone. He’d been polite and helpful. Life was better there. Tiffany didn’t know how great she had it. He hadn’t been able to think about returning to Sterling until his father was gone.
“No, I like to play the field. I’m not the settling-down type. Your family must be glad to have you home.” Bethany steered the chatter back to him. To a topic he’d rather not deal with.
He glanced over to see Tiff dancing with Phil while Sean danced with Dana. Melody and Gretchen were at the table huddled over their smartphones.
“I don’t want to be rude to your friends. Should we go back to the table?” he asked. It was as good an excuse as he could muster up. Redirecting people’s attention was as important for a peace officer as for a magician.
“No, Melody does wedding dresses, so I’m guessing they are working on the basic style. Good material has to be ordered and shipped in, so they’ll be starting immediately for a summer wedding. I’ll do the makeup and hair, but Mel has to do the bridesmaids’ gowns too. She’ll be busy.” Bethany pointed. “See, she’s got her notepad out. Sketching a dress. I’ve been friends with those girls for over a decade. We’d be in the way.”
“I’ll take your word for it,” he said.
“So your family. Are they glad to have you back?” she asked again.
“I actually don’t have any family left here. My father died a few years ago, and my mother remarried a year later. They moved to Northern California. She’s happy there.” He tried to hide his tension.
“Siblings?” she asked.
“None.”
Bethany frowned. “Dana said you wanted to move back here. If you have no family, why move here?”
“Dana is chatty.” Mick sighed.
“Sean told her. It’s not like we’re following you guys around. We were here having a girls’ night out. Tiffany had no idea either of you were back in town, so what does it matter? It’s a small town. People will talk about the new or return residents,” Bethany said.
“Did you grow up in a small town?” he asked.
One of her eyebrows arched. “We’re not here to talk about me. I’m not dancing with you because I’m interested in you.”
“No?” He liked her direct approach.
“No. I’m not looking for serious, and you seem pretty serious, Trooper Butler. Don’t play games with my friends or me, and we’ll be just fine.” She flashed him a big smile.
“Is that a threat about Tiff?” he asked.
“No threats, but I am creative. And it covers Dana too.”
He smiled. “You’re the group’s enforcer?”
“Nah, that’s Mel. The quiet ones are the scariest.” Bethany winked.
“So you’re the friendly one people will talk to. I’m appropriately warned. But you realize that I’ve known Tiff longer than you have?” he asked.
“I do. Sometimes fresh eyes see things clearer. You haven’t been around her in a long time.” Bethany looked back at the table. “We should get back. I think you got the message.”
He definitely did. Tiff had female friends who acted like sisters, and he was glad.
They headed back to the table. Tiffany, Dana, and his two guys were there as well.
“What about you, Tiff? Want to dance?” Mick asked.
“You didn’t have enough fun with Bethany? I think it’s time for us to call it a night. Certain men will be looking for these two.” Tiff pointed to Mel and Gretchen.
“You’re right. But girls’ night and the start of the wedding-dress plans were very productive.” Gretchen smiled at the guys. “Nice meeting you.”
Mick had tried to be on his best behavior, but he had a lot of work to do. Coming home to erase his rough childhood would be every bit as hard as he feared. Tiff was one of his best memories growing up, but he hadn’t been the same for her.
The women were gone, even Dana.
“You okay?” Sean asked.
“I’m the problem for Tiff. She doesn’t want to be around me.” Mick didn’t want to ruin things for his lovers.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve been around her. We have to get reacquainted. If we’re serious about her, we’ll find the ways to reconnect. Not a sprint. A marathon. She needs to get to know Phil too. It’s a package deal.” Sean shrugged.
“And we need to be sure too,” Phil said.
Mick knew what he wanted. He’d always known. The missing piece had been Phil, but they couldn’t rush Tiff. He’d put her off, and life had gotten in the way.
“Okay, let’s go home and figure out how to spend time with her without pissing her off.” Mick couldn’t solve this alone.
Chapter Three
Tiffany had spent the last few days ignoring the talk about the men. Two locals returning would always be news. Sean had plenty of people eager to hire him on as a guide and proxy hunter. He was the sexy boy next door who any woman would love to have. Rumor was he’d wiped out on a ski jump and broke his ankle and knee a couple years back. That had kept him in Anchorage for surgeries and physical therapy.
Mick was handsome, alpha, and had all the single girls talking. He wasn’t as friendly, but foolish women always believed they could change men. Phil was as good-looking and strong but friendlier than Mick. An attractive trio. Bethany had immediately spilled all she’d uncovered dancing with him the second they were
in the car on the ride home that night. Tiff didn’t see him the way Bethany did…haunted and lonely.
She parked her SUV at the animal shelter that looked more like a little red schoolhouse. It was her day off, and instead of getting mixed up in men drama, she kept to her routine and volunteered. Seeing Mick as lonely with two hot men in his life was laughable, but Bethany had a clearer view. She thought Sean was genuine and sweet. Phil was nice with a tough interior.
Stopping inside to check in, Tiff found Dana and her mom bottle feeding some kittens.
“Hi, Mrs. Andrews, hi, Dana.” Tiff picked up one of the little black fur balls and let the purring calm her nerves.
“Hi, Tiffany. Aren’t they cute? Poor thing, the mother was hit by a car. A trooper found the babies and brought them in.” Mrs. Andrews was in her seventies but lavished love on the creatures and ran the shelter like a sergeant major.
“They’re in good hands with you. I’m going to work on the pens for the bigger orphans.” Tiff put down the kitten and grabbed a tool belt.
“Wait. You love cats. What’s wrong?” Dana asked.
“Yes, dear. Stay and help with the feeding. There are plenty of men in Sterling to build the pens. Men need to feel useful for their egos.” Mrs. Andrews was a tough old lady but a lady. Dana had been raised to be self-sufficient in an emergency, but they had big money in her family, so help wasn’t hard to come by.
“I feel like hammering something.” Tiff leaned on the table. The animal shelter used her best skills, like her job. Taking care of people and animals gave her a purpose. When everything else confused her, she knew she could do this right.
“Must be your men bothering you. I heard Mick and Sean were back in town. Found a third and probably looking for the right girl.” Mrs. Andrews smiled at Tiff.
“Really? I don’t know why anyone thinks it’s me. Might be Dana,” Tiff said.
“I didn’t say anything to her,” Dana replied.
Mrs. Andrews knew everyone, and the old people talked like it was the national pastime.
“I mentioned it.” Phil walked out from the office with a few papers in his hand. “I found the kittens and got to chatting with the angels of mercy here. Sorry if I was presumptuous. It’s complicated but not a competition.”
“You’re crazy. I just met you.” Tiff folded her arms and then changed her mind and scooped up a kitten to give her hands something to do. Was he saying what she thought he was saying?
“And it’s been a long time since you’ve seen the other two, but people don’t change deep down. Not that much. They mature, but hopefully it’s a better version of themselves. I was a goofy teenager,” Phil admitted.
“Sean always came back to visit his family every year. Mick, well his family is gone.” Mrs. Andrews moved to the next hungry kitten.
“He was always over at my house with my brothers anyway.” Tiff played with the kitten’s white-tipped tail.
“He was better off there.” Mrs. Andrews nodded, and her silver bobbed hair swayed.
“What do you mean?” Dana asked.
“Nothing. It can be lonely for an only child.” Mrs. Andrews scowled at the fussy fur ball that wouldn’t eat.
“Mom,” Dana said.
“His family life wasn’t so great,” Phil supplied.
“His dad went away a lot. Worked fishing boats.” Tiff shrugged.
“Those were the good times. His dad wasn’t very nice. Mick would hate me for telling you, Tiff, but your house was more of a home to him. He knew he was an intrusion, so he tried to blend in and do a lot of chores.” Phil petted the kitten in her hand.
“So he probably thought of me as more of a sister. Mystery solved.” Tiff wanted to dance with Phil again. To feel his strong arms around her. No history or baggage, just possibilities. That dream was over—he belonged to Mick and Sean with all those strings attached.
“Hardly.” Phil laughed.
Tiff wanted to know more about Mick’s home life. If hers was great, what was his? What did his dad do? “My dad certainly loved having Mick around. Chopped more wood and put up fish faster than my brothers did. Military men love efficiency.”
“That we do. Well, I best get back on the road. But if you need help building anything, I’d be happy to volunteer on my day off.” Phil put his trooper hat on and tipped it to Mrs. Andrews, who nodded.
“That’d be very kind. Tiff only had one dad in the house, so ménage might be an adjustment for her. Tiff, go show him the pens that need repairing. Dana, mix up some more formula, please.” Mrs. Andrews directed traffic like an expert around the shelter.
Tiff smiled and sighed as she set the kitten down. Arguing with Mrs. Andrews just wasn’t done. She donated everything the shelter needed and was there four days a week scooping litter and dishing out treats. Whatever she did, she meant well.
“Follow me.” Tiff headed for the door.
“I’m sorry if I stirred up some stuff in there,” Phil said when they were safely outside.
“Don’t be. You know Mick better than I do. Sean too, probably. So don’t limit your search for the right woman. I might not work out.” Tiff led the way around back. “The snow and rains weakened some boards back here. We need to replace the bad ones and make these pens and cages secure.”
“What are you keeping? Big dogs? Aren’t there large cages inside?” he asked.
She laughed. “Yes. Dogs and cats inside. Moose calves and baby bears out there.”
“Bears and moose? You’re joking.” Phil grinned.
“Nope. It’s temporary for orphans. There are charities who foster them until they’re ready to go up into the wild on their own. But if a moose is killed and her calf is too young, it’ll die without fostering. You think rescuing the kittens was nice? Baby moose are harder to catch.” She hooked her thumbs in the pockets of her jeans.
“More Alaska stuff to learn.” He grinned. “It’s awesome.”
“Glad you like it. If you want to put in for boat patrol, Mel’s guys own the boat repair and a dock. They can help if you want to practice maneuvering on the Kenai. You can impress the other troopers with your skills on fishing patrols.” She wanted him to do well.
“I’ve driven lots of boats before.” He shrugged.
“Don’t underestimate anything out here. Rapids, rocks, and crazy currents—sure. But spotting and avoiding a whale collision, I bet the Marines didn’t teach you that. Unless maybe you were stationed in Hawaii or something.” Tiff kicked at a loose post.
“No, never did that. Maybe I will take a few lessons. Thanks. I need to get back on patrol. Why don’t you meet us at the Sterling Inn for dinner tonight?” he asked.
“No, I don’t want to intrude.” It was a lame line but true. That was a public and fancier place to eat a weekday dinner.
“Sean is going to call and invite you anyway. We were planning on something nice. The Anchor’s Up was a long shot, and you happened to be there. It didn’t go as planned. Seriously, just the four of us to talk, catch up, and eat. Six o’clock. Think about it.” He headed around the other side.
No wonder she hadn’t seen a trooper vehicle. She wanted to ask him about Mick’s family. Asking Mrs. Andrews crossed her mind, but the older woman would’ve told her if that’s what she wanted to do. Mrs. Andrews was an older version of her daughter, straightforward and deliberate. Neither played games. It had to be bad. It was no secret his dad died a few years back. His mom remarried and moved away. Had his parents kept him away?
Now a dinner invite. Curiosity had her. Sexual curiosity about a ménage plus the personal curiosity about Mick’s family. Hell, just plain old nosiness about what Sean felt for her in high school. Being the baby, her brothers kept things from her. Even as teens, the adults kept more things secret it appeared. They weren’t kids anymore.
* * * *
Every day Phil learned something new. Today he’d learned about the small town’s animal shelter and a bit more about Tiffany. Once off duty, he swung by the In
n just in time for dinner. The gorgeous hotel wasn’t huge by Anchorage standards, but he understood it was packed in the summer. He walked past the lobby to the restaurant and spied Tiffany hanging around with Dana in the office area down a small hall.
“Glad you made it.” He felt a thrill. She wanted to be with them. To explore whatever was there. Even if it was just to clear the history up, Phil knew the men were more determined than that. He wanted to get to know her, but he couldn’t push too far too fast or it’d look fake.
“I was just here figuring out a date for the bridal shower.” Tiff acted innocent. “Dana reminded me they’d locked in the wedding date but not the shower.”
“And you couldn’t call that in?” Phil teased.
Tiff shrugged. “You guys want to buy me a fancy dinner, fine. Hunting meat is more practical.”
“I plan on doing that too. Sean is going to give me some Alaskan hunting excursions so I learn your way of doing things. Come on, they’re waiting.” Phil reached out a hand.
Dana smiled. “Go or I will.”
“Traitor,” Tiffany shot her friend an annoyed look.
“It’s just dinner, and it might just drive your brothers crazy.” Dana winked.
“That was a plus.” Tiff followed Phil to the table and laughed when he pulled out her chair.
Phil’s father had instilled manners in him, like it or not. The military did it too, in a different way. Some women got funny about gentlemanly behaviors, but she didn’t seem angry or offended.
“Glad you could make it,” Sean said.
“Surprised,” Mick added.
“Disappointed?” she shot back.
“No. Surprised.” Mick looked her in the eye.
“Everyone play nice. We all know we need to bury some crap in the past. We all at least want to be friends, right?” Sean asked.
“Right.” Tiffany shrugged.
“If I’m not helping, I can leave.” Phil didn’t want to hold them back since he wasn’t part of the past. He was trying to catch up and feel at home. There was plenty for him to explore and new people to meet in Sterling.
Arctic Adventure (Men of Alaska Book 3) Page 3