Page 44 of Mountain Grump Protector

I look at him and nod. It’s a good plan. One thing at a time.

“Now, why don’t we get up to the house so I can finally meet this woman who’s got you all twisted up?”

“She’s a real spitfire,” I say with a laugh, and together we move for the door of the shop.

“I would expect nothing less.”

Luke walks past me outside, and as I reach back to turn the light off, I pause, a strange feeling like I’m being watched has the hair on the back of my neck bristling. I wait a moment and scan the room, but there’s nothing there. Of course there’s not.

I shake off the feeling, certain all this shit with Hatch has me unnecessarily worked up, and close the door behind me before catching up with Luke as we join the women on the porch.

Willow

Murph stretches out on the floorboards at our feet with a dramatic sigh and drops his head on his paws.

I bend to give him a scratch behind his ears before pouring Lilly and me each a glass of lemonade. I don’t know the first thing about hosting a guest. I’ve never actually had one before, and technically, this isn't even my house or my porch.

Lilly is about my age, pretty, and put together in a way I could never hope to be.

Her long dark hair is pulled up in a bun on the top of her head, and she’s wearing a sleeveless blouse over linen shorts. Her makeup is subtle, but pretty, and she even has a pretty gold necklace and matching earrings on. Self-consciously, I tug on my messy ponytail and glance down at my ratty cut-offs and tank top. At least I’m not still wearing Cal’s oversized clothes, having grabbed some before we left my house.

“You look great,” Lilly says, reading my mind. “I’m only dressed like this because we had a meeting with a client in town. I’m usually wearing leggings or shorts when I’m not working.”

“That’s right. Cal mentioned you and Luke work together.” I settle into the chair and take a sip of my lemonade. It’s way too sweet, and I quickly set it down. “Sorry about the lemonade. It was a powder mix I found in Cal’s cupboard.”

Lilly laughs and waves away my protests. “It’s cold and sugary. Pretty good combination to me.” She takes a sip and smiles. “Perfect. And yes, Luke’s daughter hired me to be his assistant a few months ago, but now we’re more like partners.” A satisfied smile crosses her lips. “It’s funny how things work out, right?”

My eyes dart toward the garage where Luke and Cal disappeared and where I’d told Bryson to hide.

“Right,” I say, my voice shaky. “I guess.”

“Are you okay? You seem nervous.”

The comment catches me off guard. I pick up my glass and take a sip, to give myself something to do.

“I’m fine.” I force a smile and glance over at Lilly. “I’m just…it’s been a lot,” I finish lamely.

At once, her expression softens. “Luke told me,” she says kindly. “You’re so brave for putting yourself in that situation in the first place. My friend Tessa told me how rough the Rusty Nail is. I’ve been warned about it myself. Oh, you probably haven’t met Tessa yet,” Lilly says quickly. “She’s a good friend—never mind. I don’t want to overwhelm you with a bunch of names. Besides, I’m sure you’ll meet the whole gang soon enough.” I don’t have time to think about what that comment might mean before she adds, “You must really love your brother to have put yourself in danger like that.”

I swallow hard, and my eyes dart toward the garage. “I do,” I say with a sigh. “Even though sometimes I wonder if…well… let’s just say he doesn’t always make it easy to love him.”

She nods like she understands. “Are you sure you’re okay? You really seem unsettled.”

Heat creeps up my neck. I don’t want to lie to my new friend, but it’s not like I can tell her the truth either.

"So you and Luke…he was your boss?”

She laughs and tosses her head back. “Oh yeah. Tessa is actually his daughter, and she hired me without telling him. Believe me when I say he was not happy about it.”

I can’t help but laugh along with her. “I believe that. These mountain men don’t really seem like the type to just go with the flow.”

“That’s the truth.” She takes another sip of her drink and studies me quietly, her laughter fading away. “Especially Cal.”

My stomach does a strange flip. I look away before she can notice.

Too late.

“Do you want to talk about it, Willow?”