“I think we should make them for all kids. Being excluded sucks,” Mason said.
“What about backpacks for school-aged kids?” Piper asked. “But cool ones, with some fun toys packed inside. Or is that too much like a necessity and not a toy they’d enjoy?”
“I’m not sure what the system is like nowadays, but I’d have given anything for a cool backpack. I carried my belongings from house to house in a trash bag,” Mason said.
The kitchen went silent, four sets of sad eyes locked on him. Damn, he hadn’t meant to evoke pity.
“Oh, Mason.” Remi wrapped her arms around him. She kissed the center of his chest, and then she looked up at him and said, “You know what we have to do?”
“Make everyone stop looking at me like I’m a six-year-old boy carrying a trash bag?”
“Sorry,” Piper mumbled, and the others looked away.
Remi shook her head. “We have to make duffel bags for the kids, too, with all the necessities—toothbrushes, hairbrushes, shampoo, all the stuff they need.”
“I love that idea,” he said, unable to believe their little idea was growing such strong legs. “We buy bags for our security guys from a company in Colorado. I’ll call our rep and see if they have any interest in donating.”
“We need to include comfort toys,” Bridgette added. “A teddy bear or something to hold at night. I wonder if the distributor I use for my bouquet stuffed animals can cut us a deal. I’ll ask.”
“Good idea. I wish we could do pajamas,” Willow said.
“Maybe we can,” Remi said excitedly. “I’ll call Mia Stone at JRB Designs, Josh and Riley Braden’s assistant.”
“The famous fashion designers?” Willow asked, wide-eyed.
“Yes. I wear their stuff all the time for events. They just launched a children’s clothing line, and they’re really into giving back and paying it forward. I bet they’d love to donate pajamas. I might have to do a commercial or something in exchange for it, but I can’t imagine a worthier cause to use my celebrity status.”
“I’m as excited as you guys are, and I hate to put a damper on things, but have you looked into the legal aspects of this? I’m sure the foster-care system has rules and regulations about this type of thing,” Piper pointed out.
“Not yet. But I’ll get the scoop from Parker this afternoon. I need to make some notes.” Remi pulled out her phone and began typing.
“I bet Mom would love to donate something to the boxes,” Bridgette said. “She’ll probably whip up a happiness potion, but the more the better.”
“Yes!” Remi exclaimed. “That would be great! I think we need big boxes and duffel bags. We have a busy day ahead of us.” She glanced at Mason. “But don’t worry, we’ll make time to go to the grocery store.” To her friends she said, “We’re going to the store without a disguise—not even a baseball hat—to work on forming boundaries. Mason’s been schooling me on ways to give myself space from fans without coming across bitchy.”
“Good. She needs that,” Piper said. “She is such a pleaser.”
Remi’s cheeks pinked up, and she quickly busied herself focusing on thumbing out notes on her phone. Mason knew her mind was chasing his down a dirty path, thinking about how eagerly she pleasured him.
“Why don’t you come with me to the farmers’ market instead?” Bridgette asked. “I’m meeting Bodhi and Louie when we’re done here, before I open the flower shop.” She owned the Secret Garden, a flower shop right next door to the bakery. “I think the butcher will be there, so you can probably get everything you need and skip the grocery store, and the market is only open from seven to eleven, so you’ll have plenty of time to make calls.”
“I heard one of the Loves’ rescue dogs had puppies,” Piper said with a taunt in her eyes. “Deirdre is going to be there trying to find homes for them.”
Remi turned pleading eyes to Mason. “Can we go? Please? Do we need to call Porter or Merrick to come? I’m totally okay with it if we do. Or do you need to be at your computer earlier to do your PI stuff? It’s okay if you do. We can hit the grocery store later instead. Maybe we can see the puppies another day. The Loves own an orchard. We can go by anytime.”
There wasn’t a chance in hell he’d keep her from those puppies.
“It’s a great market, and not too busy,” Willow said. “They set it up across the street by the lake. If you peek out there now, I bet you’ll see the vendors’ canopies.”
“I have some time this morning. I’ll go as extra muscle and keep an eye out for creepers,” Piper offered.
Mason was touched by how they rallied around Remi. “I think we can fit that in,” he said, and the girls cheered.
“Thank you!” Remi launched herself into his arms and kissed him.
As strange as it was for him to make a public display of affection, Remi—and her supportive friends, who were currently whistling and making silly comments—helped him over the hurdle.
They brainstormed while Willow finished baking, and by the time they were done, Remi had a list of ideas a mile long.
Mason pulled Remi into his arms and said, “We’ve only just come together and you’re willing to put your name on the line for children you don’t even know.”
“It’s going to be incredible!” Remi said.
He glanced at the women, who were quickly becoming like the not-afraid-to-give-him-shit sisters he’d never had, and said, “All of you are willing to give your time and use your business names to help. I think this effort will make a world of difference in so many lives. I don’t know how to thank you.”
“No thanks necessary,” Willow said. “We love doing this stuff. And if you decide to go bigger and offer birthday parties, I’ll donate the cakes!”
Remi gasped. “Yes! We have to do that! We could hold quarterly birthday parties for all the kids in the area who have birthdays during that time period.”
“We have to find a big place to rent,” Bridgette said.
“Slow down, idea churners,” Piper interrupted. “First we have to figure out what we’re legally allowed to do and what kind of red tape we have to untangle to get approvals.”
As the girls talked about quarterly birthday bashes and what they would like to do at them, Remi looked at Mason and said, “I bet you never realized sisterhood could be as strong as brotherhood. Welcome to life with the Daltons.”
Bridgette and Piper flanked Remi as they crossed the cobblestone street to the farmers’ market. About a dozen white canopies were set up on the grass, with colorful signs announcing fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, breads, and other goods. Mason followed close behind, taking in the glistening lake and the charming small town. Sweetwater was nestled in the foothills of the Silver Mountains and boasted old-fashioned storefronts, a marina, and from what Mason could see, lots of friendly looking residents milling about the farmers’ market. He’d messaged Bodhi, who had assured him that the market was small, and he was bringing Dahlia, his Great Dane. Dogs were great deterrents, and a person would have to be a fool to try to get near Remi with Mason around, much less Mason and Bodhi.
“Bridge!” Bodhi called from the parking lot by the market.
Dahlia pulled at her leash, barking, and Louie clung to Bodhi’s other hand, waving as he looked up and said something to Bodhi. Bodhi nodded and let go of his hand.
“Brace yourselves,” Bridgette said as her little boy sprinted across the grass toward them. “I have no idea who he’s going for.”
Remi crouched and opened her arms. “I hope it’s me!”
Just like that, Mason fell a little harder for her.
Louie ran into her arms and hugged her. “Guess what, Auntie Remi? Dahlia and Molly had a race and Dahlia won!”
Auntie Remi? Had Louie called her that last night? He couldn’t remember, but it was about the cutest thing he’d ever heard.
“She did? Well, that’s not surprising. She has those long legs, and she’s your dog after all. Look how fast you are!” Remi ruffled
Louie’s hair.
As she rose to her feet, Louie took her hand like it was the most natural thing in the world for both of them. For all Mason knew, it was. Bodhi and Dahlia joined them, and Remi loved up the dog, hugging her big head and letting her lick her face.
Bodhi kissed Bridgette. Then he rubbed her belly and said, “Everything okay with our little man?”
“Or little lady,” she reminded him. “Yes. I feel great.”
“When’s the baby due?” Mason asked.
“The middle of October,” Bodhi said. “Five or six more weeks.”
“Can you believe these two haven’t found out the sex of their baby?” Piper said. “If it were me, I’d want to know.”
“Not me. I like surprises almost as much as I like dogs,” Remi said as she bent to kiss the top of Dahlia’s head.
“Good. Let’s surprise you with food. I have half an hour before I need to get to work, so let’s get your pretty little butt moving.” Piper looped her arm with Remi’s and said, “I’m your new hottieguard. Don’t get too handsy.”
As they headed for the canopies, Bodhi turned a more serious gaze to Mason and said, “Everything cool here?”
“Yeah. The market seems tame. Thanks for letting us crash your time with your wife.”
“I never thought I’d say this, but I like the company. We rarely go anywhere without one of Bridgette’s sisters or Ben and Aurelia. Family, man, that’s what it’s all about.”
“I can see that.” He glanced at Remi, who was talking with the girls as they picked vegetables from a stand. Louie dropped a yellow pepper into Remi’s bag. “Listen, man, I have to tell you something in confidence. Remi told the girls this morning, and I don’t want Bridgette to have to keep it a secret from you. Remi and I are together.”
Bodhi treated Mason to a rare smile. “Really? That explains you not wanting to avoid Roxie’s love potion. I’m happy for you, man. Remi’s a great person, and she’s lucky to have you.”
His accolades meant the world to Mason, because they’d teamed with some awesome guys over the years. “Thanks. But honestly, I’m the lucky one. Everything’s still new, and we have to keep it under wraps from the public because of all the shit she’s going through, but I wanted you to know.” He scanned the grounds as the girls paid for their vegetables.
As they followed them toward the butcher’s booth, Bodhi said, “Have you told Aiden?”
“Not yet, and Aurelia wasn’t at the bakery, so she and Ben don’t know.” He explained that Remi wanted to wait until Aiden finished his business dealings to break the news to him.
“That makes sense,” Bodhi said. “Remi and Aiden have been through a lot, but you know that already. The girls are excited that she’s sticking around for the next few months.”
He glanced at Remi, who was leaning on Piper. Mason felt himself smiling and said, “I think she needs these women in her life. Speaking of which, I wanted to talk with you about something Remi and I are putting together.”
As they walked through the market, Mason told him about their ideas for the birthday boxes, duffel bags, and the possibility of hosting quarterly birthday parties. “What do you think?”
“I think it’s a great idea, but you’ll get further with a nonprofit than you will as well-meaning individuals. I can talk to Shira and see about coordinating those efforts through Hearts for Heroes. Our focus is military families, so it would mean branching out and dealing with divisions that handle foster care. But that’s doable if you want to go that route. Or you could always set up your own nonprofit, if you think this could lead to a large enough effort. Are you looking at something local, while Remi’s here, or in the city? Or are you thinking of going bigger, taking it national?”
“I’m not sure. We just came up with the idea. We talked about starting small, seeing what’s involved, but the girls are pretty stoked about it. I’ll talk to Remi and see what she thinks. She also has a friend who runs a nonprofit that works with foster kids, and I know she wants to see what she has to say, too.”
“If you decide to open a nonprofit, talk to Shira,” Bodhi said. “She can go over the complexities with you. Let me know when you figure it out. I’d like to get involved any way I can.”
“Thanks, I will,” he said as the girls stopped by a booth with five energetic puppies in a penned-in area. “I appreciate the offer to work through Hearts for Heroes.”
“Can I get in there, Deirdre?” Remi asked the blonde sitting by the pen.
“Absolutely! These babies need some love.” Deirdre opened the gate, and Remi and Louie went in.
They plopped down on their butts and let the puppies climb all over them and lick their faces. Remi giggled as much as Louie did. She was a sight for sore eyes.
“Looks like you might be taking home a puppy,” Mason said to Bodhi.
“Nah. Louie knows the rules. Dahlia’s a big dog and takes a lot of love.” Bodhi loved up Dahlia. “Besides, you can’t actually take home a puppy. They go through a whole process of evaluating families, just like when you adopt a child.”
“That’s good, because if Remi asked for every one of them, I’d have a hard time saying no.” He took out his phone and snapped a few pictures of Remi. He didn’t want to forget a second of those smiles.
“Want to hold one, Mason?” Remi asked, cuddling a puppy.
“No, thanks. But it looks like you want one.”
She kissed the pup on its snout and said, “Nope. I just wanted to love them up. A dog I could handle, once it’s past the chewing-everything stage.”
After a long goodbye that included dozens of sloppy puppy kisses, they left the pups. A blond woman walking by said, “You look just like Remi Divine.” She gasped and said louder, “Oh my gosh! You are Remi Divine, aren’t you?”
Three women who were walking by hurried toward them.
Piper and Mason stepped beside Remi at the same time. Bodhi stood close by, clearly aware that those women didn’t seem threatening.
“I can’t believe you’re Remi Divine, here at our little farmers’ market!” one of the women exclaimed.
“Can we have your autograph?” another woman asked.
Remi flashed a gorgeous smile and Mason fully expected her to agree, which he knew would cause the other people who were now closing in on them to ask for the same.
“Actually, I’m shopping with my friends, so it’s really not a good time,” Remi said a little tentatively. She quickly added, “But if you go to my website and email my publicist, she’ll be glad to send you an autographed picture.”
“Thanks!” one of the women said. “We love your movies!”
Remi waved and hurried toward another booth, whispering, “Are they still looking? Are they mad?”
Holy shit! She did it! Mason wanted to take her in his arms and spin her around, celebrating her strength. “No, but even if they were, we’ve got your back, Princess. How do you feel?”
“Nervous.” She put her hand over her stomach and began petting Dahlia like she was a worry stone. She lifted her beautiful eyes to Mason and said, “But good. Really, really good.”
“Aw hell,” Piper said. “Look at them. They want to hug. You two are . . .” She moved between them and hugged Remi. “Pretend I’m six four and sexy as hell.” Then she turned to Mason and hugged him as she said, “If the stalker is watching, he’ll be thoroughly confused.”
“I want in on that,” Bridgette said, and she hugged Mason, causing everyone to laugh. “Thanks for helping Remi learn about boundaries.” She put her arms around Bodhi and said, “Can’t leave out my own man.”
After a few minutes of banter, they went to finish their shopping. Two more people recognized Remi, and she handled each one with a little more confidence than the last.
As they crossed the street, two young girls came out of the bakery and pointed to Remi. Through the front window, Mason noted how crowded the bakery was.
Bridgette said, “You didn’t get to see the renovations Piper m
ade to the front of the bakery. Do you want to go in?”
Bodhi shot a look at Mason, clearly conveying This might not be a good idea, which confirmed Mason’s gut feeling. He wasn’t worried that the stalker was inside, but he was worried about Remi being in a closed environment with what could turn out to be too many overzealous fans. But he’d also promised her she wouldn’t live in a box while under his watch. This was her decision to make.
Remi touched his fingers, like she needed grounding. Then she quickly pulled back, as if she’d realized what she’d done, and said, “I think I’ve had enough boundary practice for today. I’ll come see the renovations another time.”
“Good, because I’ve got to haul ass to my job site.” Piper pulled her into an embrace and then said to Mason, “You done good, hottieguard. Keep it up.”
“I’m never going to live down the hottieguard thing, am I?”
“Not a chance.” Piper sauntered off with a bounce in her step, as if she’d just dropped the mic and left the stage.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
REMI WAS ON a mission to bring her and Mason’s ideas to fruition. After they arrived home and put away their groceries, they sat at the dining room table armed with phones, laptops, and notebooks, making lists of the people they wanted to contact and ideas they’d come up with at the bakery. Though they loved how enthusiastic everyone was about their idea, they were both passionate about the project and wanted to remain hands-on every step of the way.
“We need to decide where we’re starting,” Remi said. “In the city, since that’s where you grew up?”
“I think we should help kids here, locally, since this is where you’ll be for the foreseeable future.”
Remi’s nerves prickled at the question vying for release. Mason must have seen something in her eyes because he took her hand between both of his and said, “What’s going on in that beautiful mind of yours?”
“I’m just thinking about the foreseeable future,” she said softly. “We’re making plans like we’re a given. What will happen to us after the stalker is caught? I assume you’ll have to go back to business as usual in the city?”
This is Love Page 20