Her Rocky Mountain Protector Page 6

  “Oh, I promise I will.” He turned to his mother. “I really promise, Mom. Every day.”

  Something tightened in his chest. This boy had been through a lot in his short life. He had been braver than most adults. “Bandit will need his training reinforced.”

  Grady glanced at Gina. “He hasn’t been worked with much. So he’s not as good at taking orders as Scout.”

  The boy nodded. “I’ll work with him, I promise.”

  Grady nodded. “Then I guess he’s yours.”

  The boy threw his small arms around Grady. “Thank you, Grady. I promise I’ll love him and take care of him.”

  “I know you will, son,” he said, feeling a funny tightening in his chest.

  Then Zack moved away and went to his mother and hugged her. “Oh, thank you, Mom.”

  Grady moved away from the touching scene and went to the truck bed and picked up a large bag of food and a dog bed.

  There was the sound of a horn and he looked up to see an SUV pull up behind his truck. Gina’s sister, Lori, got out, along with a man he recognized as Jace Yeager. A young girl climbed out of the backseat and went straight to Zack and Bandit.

  So this was going to be a family dinner. Great.

  The sisters hugged and Lori turned toward him. “It’s good to see you again, Mr. Fletcher.”

  “It’s Grady, ma’am,” he said and saw the resemblance between the sisters. The hair and eye color might have been different, but the shape of the face, and the flawless skin was shared between the two sisters.

  “I’m Lori, remember? This is my husband, Jace.” The two men shook hands. “And that’s our daughter, Cassie.” Lori glanced at her husband. “Brace yourself, she’s gonna want a dog now.”

  “She’s got a horse,” Jace argued.

  The attention turned back to Grady and Lori said, “I don’t think I ever thanked you for finding Zack.”

  “No need. I’ve been thanked enough.”

  “Maybe so, but I have to say it again. Thank you, Grady Fletcher.” She quickly changed the subject. “How is your grandfather doing?”

  “He seems to be recovering nicely.”

  “Is he up for visitors?”

  “Who wants to see him?”

  “I wanted to stop by and speak with him about some land that there’s a question about.”

  “If this has anything to do with Billy Hutchinson, I’m not sure I want you stirring up any trouble.”

  “No trouble, Grady. It’s righting a wrong that my grandfather did years ago. Once I took over the bank, I discovered a title to a piece of land that I believe belongs to Joe Fletcher. Maybe when he’s feeling better I can correct this...mistake.”

  Gina stood back and watched the change in Grady’s demeanor. How different he’d been with just Zack and her. Now that the group was bigger, he seemed tense. He wasn’t comfortable around people.

  Grady didn’t have time to reflect on Lori Hutchinson Yeager’s confession as they herded both kids and dogs to the backyard. Grady followed Gina to put away the bag of dog food in the cupboard on the utility porch. The oversize dog bed was placed next to the clothes dryer.

  “I doubt Bandit will be sleeping in here,” she said. “I know Zack wants him to be in his bedroom.”

  Grady nodded. “This dog has been kenneled at night, but I’m sure there won’t be a problem with Bandit sleeping in Zack’s room. Just not in the bed.”

  “Okay, but you have to tell Zack, along with any other rules about caring for the dog.”

  “I will.” He looked into her green eyes and started to get distracted. “How’s Zack doing?”

  “Better each day, but he still isn’t sleeping in his own room. Jace is going to replace the windows and put in higher ones so Zack will feel safe again. Right now he’s sleeping in another room that I’ve been using as my office.” He saw her watery eyes. “And we have an appointment tomorrow to go and talk to a therapist about what happened.”

  Grady tensed. He’d love to get his hands on Lowell again. Who does that to a child? “He’s gone through a lot. It’ll take time.”

  He couldn’t help but think about what Gina had gone through, too. The years of abuse from a man who claimed he loved her. “What about you? How are you handling this?”

  She looked surprised at the question. “I’m okay, as long as Zack recovers from this.”

  The sounds of giggles coming from the backyard got Gina’s attention. She smiled and his heart skipped a beat. “I guess having a dog is a start. Thank you.”

  “Not a problem,” he told her, wondering why her praise meant so much to him.

  “Come on, Grady, let’s join the fun.”

  She started out the door, but he hesitated. It had been a long time since he’d done any family things. He’d never been very good at it. The army had been his family. And now he didn’t even have that. He wasn’t sure what he had.

  * * *

  An hour later Gina, Grady, Jace and Lori were sitting on the patio finishing their hamburgers while the kids played with the dogs.

  Gina loved that her family was all together, at her house. She’d never expected to have someone like Grady Fletcher sit beside her, but he seemed on edge all during the meal. Finally he’d gotten up and taken Zack out to teach him how to work the dogs.

  She glanced at her son, running around the yard with his dog. Zack was so happy.

  Grady had given them some tricks to work on and that was all it took. The kids started burying things, and soon the dogs were retrieving toys and returning them. Bandit got distracted pretty easily, but some training would help that.

  Gina’s attention went to the ex-soldier standing alone. Did he have a problem being around a lot of people? She’d noticed how his demeanor had changed when her sister and her family had arrived.

  Lori turned to her husband. “Mark my words, Cassie will ask for a puppy before we get back home.”

  “If you really want one, I bet Grady can find you one.”

  Jace groaned. “Don’t give your niece any ideas.” He hugged his wife. “We’re hoping a new baby will distract her from wanting any more pets.”

  They all three laughed as the back gate opened and Gina saw Claire and Tim Keenan walk in. Gina rushed over to greet them both with a hug.

  “I hope we’re not intruding,” Claire said, holding out a covered dish.

  Gina hugged the two. “Claire and Tim, of course you’re not, you’re always welcome. Please, join us.”

  “Oh, no, we just wanted to drop off this pie and tell you how happy we are that both you and Zack are back safe.”

  “I insist you stay. We’re about to have some coffee and now some pie.”

  “I can go for that,” Tim volunteered as they walked toward the others on the patio.

  Gina introduced Grady, letting him know they owned the Keenan Inn, a historical bed-and-breakfast in town.

  “Sheriff Larkin is married to their daughter, Paige, who is an attorney. Their oldest daughter, Morgan, is the mayor. Their youngest daughter, Leah, is a photo journalist. They all came back to Destiny to raise their families.”

  After they shook hands, Tim said, “Sounds like a Chamber of Commerce ad.” The older man smiled. “I remember you, but it’s been a while. You were just a kid. Old Fletch used to come into town and bring you along.”

  Gina watched as Grady nodded. “That wasn’t very often,” he admitted. “He didn’t like people much.”

  So that was where he got it from. Was Grady a loner like his grandfather, or was it the scar?

  Tim Keenan laughed. “No, he didn’t. Most of the old miners kept to themselves. I think they were afraid someone would jump their claims if they left them for long.”

  Grady gave a rare smile. “Yeah, I used to hear a lot of those stor
ies. I feel bad I wasn’t around to help him more.”

  Claire added, “Rest assured, the Shady Haven Nursing Home is a wonderful facility. I volunteer there, so I see how happy their patients are.” She smiled. “I hope you don’t mind, but I stop in to see your grandfather from time to time.”

  “I appreciate it.” Grady was ashamed that his own personal problems had interfered with spending more time with his grandfather. “I didn’t get to see much of him the past few years.”

  Claire smiled. “Fletch understood, and let us know on more than one occasion that you were defending our freedom,” she told him. “And we, too, thank you for your service.”

  He nodded. “I’m retired now.”

  Tim stepped in. “I hear you’re already starting a new career, training dogs for search and rescue.” He looked out toward the shepherds. “Are those two of them?”

  “Just the one,” Grady said as he pointed to the bigger dog. “That’s Scout.”

  “He found Zack,” Gina added. “The other younger one is Bandit, he’s Zack’s new dog.”

  Claire looked from Gina toward Grady. “That’s really nice of you to get the boy such a special dog. Are you planning to move here permanently?”

  “No. I’m going back to Texas once Fletch is settled and on his feet again.”

  “Oh, do you have family there?”

  Grady knew where this was going. Mrs. Keenan was already putting Gina and him together as a couple. “No, it’s just me.” He glanced around. He needed to leave, and soon.

  Suddenly as if Gina saw his distress, she interrupted. “Oh, we need some plates for our dessert,” she said, then rushed into the house.

  Grady knew that he couldn’t get away as easily. What was he thinking, getting involved with them? He wanted to come here and sit on the mountain while his grandfather recuperated. Why couldn’t he be left alone?

  Over the past several nights his solitude had been invaded by a lost boy and a beautiful single mother. None of which he needed at this point in his life. Probably never. Gina Williams had her own issues. So did he. She needed a patient guy who wanted a family. Grady didn’t do family. He’d tried and failed, never again. He’d stick with animals.

  “They’re beautiful dogs.” Tim Keenan came up to him. “Were they overseas, too?”

  “Scout was. He’s completed his service so I was able to adopt him. Bandit didn’t make the program, but he’s still an excellent dog.”

  “Even better that Zack gets to have one, too.” Tim shook his head. “That boy has been through hell, and he was just starting to open up when this all happened. I think Bandit will be a great therapy dog for him.”

  “I’m glad I could help. I need to get back before dark.” He stood and whistled for Scout. The dog stopped then ran toward him and sat. Grady said goodbye to everyone as he started to leave.

  “Don’t be a stranger in town,” Tim said as he walked with him to the gate. “Get to know people here in Destiny. You’ll find we’re pretty easy to get along with.”

  Grady just wasn’t sure he wanted to form any attachments. He’d be leaving soon. Definitely the best idea before he got distracted by one pretty brunette.

  CHAPTER SIX

  THREE days later Gina stood at the front window of her shop on First Street. The Second Best Thrift Shop had an ideal location right off the town square.

  She could see the large fountain and park, along with several other storefront shops. Destiny Community Bank was across the street, next door was Paige Keenan Larkin’s law office and the Rocky Mountain Bridal Shop. The sheriff’s office was on the next block along with the U.S. post office.

  Gina had been lucky to get a space in a prime location. The front of the shop was her thrift store. The showroom was still a little sparse, but once she cleaned up the pieces she’d gotten from Grady Fletcher, it should add a lot to the window display.

  Her thoughts turned to the man who had upset her tranquillity. She still didn’t know much about the ex-army master sergeant who lived on the mountain. Only that he’d seen war, and had to have suffered greatly with his obvious burns. She’d seen the pain in his eyes. Yet, from the way he stood back from people, she somehow doubted it was all physical.

  Still he hadn’t hesitated to help find Zack. That alone made Grady Fletcher pretty special. The part that bothered her was that she found she was drawn to him. She’d spent just over twenty-four hours with the man, and oddly, she felt safe around him. Given her past record with men, she hadn’t found it easy to trust. And she might never find it easy.

  She couldn’t help but recall the width of Grady’s shoulders and chest. Her breath caught in her throat as she remembered his gentle touch, with her, Zack and his dogs.

  She shook away the direction of her thoughts. She was in no way ready to think about a man in her life. Besides, Grady Fletcher would be leaving for Texas soon. That right there should make her keep her distance. Not that he would ever want her, not with all her baggage. Not with her fears of intimacy. She could never measure up to what Eric wanted in a wife or a lover. He’d let her know time and again that she couldn’t please him.

  She shook away the memories. No, she didn’t need a man. She was happy with her life as it was. She was independent and had her family.

  Most importantly, Zack. This was his first day back to school since the ordeal. Even though she’d talked with her son about the situation, she knew it would be a long time before he got over the events of those harrowing twenty-four hours. Their new dog helped a lot.

  She smiled, thinking about Bandit. He’d been the best medicine ever. Boy and dog had been inseparable the past two days. So there had been sad faces this morning when she’d taken Zack to school. Maybe she should go home at lunch to check on Bandit, just to make sure he was okay.

  Gina checked her watch. Right, she needed to get to work herself, so she walked toward the back of her store. In the work area she saw the two sofas from Grady’s cabin. Marie, her young helper, was already removing the dirty, worn fabric.

  “How bad is it, Marie?” she asked the young mother of a twelve-month-old little girl, Sophie.

  The tall, willowy blonde was about Gina’s age. She had an easy smile and a real talent with a sewing machine.

  “Not bad. The frame is solid and with new padding and fabric it will look great.”

  “That’s what I was thinking when I saw it.” Gina grinned. “And it was free.” She eyed the other sofa. “How about you reupholster this one, and I’ll do the camelback sofa? Since I can’t pay you what you’re really worth, how about you take sixty percent of the sale?”

  “Oh, Gina, you don’t have to do that.”

  “Yes, I do. I’m barely paying you now. And don’t tell me you can’t use the money.”

  Marie’s husband was finishing college and could only work part time. “But how many bosses let an employee bring her kid to work?”

  Not many that Gina knew of, remembering when she herself had tried to find work with Zack in tow. “Hey, a business should supply a daycare, even if it is a small storage area in the back of the store.”

  “It’s perfect. And thank you for that.”

  “Let’s just get these sofas finished so we can sell ’em.”

  Marie looked toward the wide doorway that led out to the alley. “I think we have a visitor.”

  Gina turned around. She couldn’t be more surprised to find Grady Fletcher. He looked big and intimidating. Did he do that on purpose?

  She put on a smile and went to him. “Grady. It’s nice to see you again.”

  He gave her a nod and stepped through the doorway as if he wouldn’t be welcome. “Didn’t mean to disturb you, but I thought I’d come around back to drop off some things I found in the shed.”

  “Oh, really?” Gina glanced over her shoulder. �
�Marie this is Grady Fletcher. Grady, Marie, my jack-of-all-trades.”

  “Nice to meet you, Grady.”

  Grady tipped his cowboy hat. “Ma’am.”

  He turned his attention back to Gina, causing her to feel nervous. “As you can see, we’ve started tearing apart the sofas you gave me.”

  He walked over. His gaze searched the furniture. She wondered if that was how he looked when he inspected the troops.

  “Looks like a lot of work.”

  “It’ll be worth it once they’re finished. Right, Marie?”

  “Right,” the pretty blonde agreed. Gina planned to put them in the front display window. She put on a big smile. “Of course, they won’t be there long, once we work our magic.”

  “Well, good luck with that.”

  Gina pulled his attention back. “You said you have some more furniture?”

  Grady nodded, wondering what he was doing here. One look at Gina Williams, and already he was distracted. She looked fresh, young and so pretty. Dressed in those nice-fitting jeans and a denim blouse, she could pass for a teenager. Too young for him. And it seemed every time he got near her, he couldn’t seem to act normal.

  “I was clearing out the shed when I found some things.” He pointed over his shoulder. “They’re in the truck.”

  She smiled and his heart began to pound hard. “May I see them?”

  “Sure.”

  They walked out to his truck. Scout spotted her and barked in greeting from the backseat.

  “Well, hello, fella.” When the dog stuck his head out the open window, she went to him and began to pet him. “Oh, I know a little boy who misses you,” she told the animal.

  “How is Zack doing?”

  She turned to him. “Good. He went back to school today, but as a mother, I worry. What if the kids start saying things? Teasing him?”

  Grady leaned against the truck door, then realized he was close enough to inhale her soft scent. “I would think the kids would be more interested in Zack spending the night in a silver mine, more than his dad kidnapping him.”