Montana D-Force (Brotherhood Protectors Book 3) (3 page)

Mia nodded. “Okay. I’ll do it.”

“Good.” Hank faced Bear. “I’ll talk to Swede when he gets back. I know he’ll be on board. How about you, Bear?”

“I’m all for finding the lowlife.” Bear’s fists ached for the opportunity to pound the son of a bitch into the ground.

Hank shook his head. “Swede and I will take the lead on the investigation. If Mia’s okay with it, I’d like you to be her bodyguard.”

Bear’s gaze shot to Mia. “I’m not so sure she’d want me to be, not after what happened.”

Mia gave him a crooked smile. “If Sadie and Hank think you’re the man for the job, I’m okay with it. To make it official, will you be my bodyguard?”

Bear’s lips twitched at the corners. “I don’t know. I’m not sure my shins and ankles can take it.”

Mia raised her hand. “I promise not to kick or hit you, as long as you promise not to grab me in the dark.” Then she held out her hand. “Deal?”

Bear didn’t hesitate. He closed the distance between them and shook. “Deal.” The protector in him couldn’t let her go back to that house alone. His brows furrowed. “You know, it might be best if we don’t advertise that we’re looking for the rapist.”

Hank nodded. “It might work even better if no one knows Bear is actually Mia’s bodyguard.”

Bear grunted. “Right. Whoever he is has gotten away with the crime all these years. He might be trying to scare Mia away so that she doesn’t out him.”

Mia nodded. “I could say that I hired Bear to renovate my family home.” She glanced at him. “Have you ever done any carpentry?”

Bear nodded. “A little, when I spent summers at my grandfather’s farm.”

“Good enough. As soon as I have internet, we can look up whatever needs to be done. That is, if you don’t mind doing some handiwork while I’m writing…”

Bear grinned. “Beats standing around, and it keeps me close to the house in case you need me.”

“Then, it’s settled,” Hank said. “You’ve got yourself a bodyguard-handyman, and we have some work to do finding your attacker.”

Sadie smiled at Mia. “But tonight, you’re staying here. Tomorrow, your handyman can fix the doorjamb and the lock.”

Mia hugged Sadie. “I’ll sleep on the couch, if that’s okay.”

Bear shook his head. “Take my room. I can’t sleep in a real bed anyway.”

“Sorry,” Hank smirked. “I don’t have a foxhole handy for you.”

Bear snorted. “Watch it, frogman.”

“Boys,” Sadie warned. “Let’s call it a night. Tomorrow will be a busy day. Come on, Mia. I’ll show you to the room.”

“Just shove my stuff to the side.”

Mia started to pass Bear and stopped, touching him on the arm.

A jolt of electricity shot through his arm and into his chest.

“Are you sure you don’t want the bed?” Mia asked.

“I’m sure. I couldn’t sleep, anyway.”

“That’s right. You were on the porch when I drove up.” She frowned. “Why?”

He rubbed his leg. “Guess I needed some air.”

Her eyes narrowed, but she didn’t push for more answers.

If she knew he was disabled, would she change her mind about him being her bodyguard?

Bear hoped not. For the first time in a long time, he felt like he had a purpose. He hoped like hell he didn’t let her down.

M
ia lay
in the bed Bear had been in earlier that night. The sheets still smelled like him. That faint musk of male and outdoors somehow made her feel safer. Now that she knew he wasn’t just a shadowy figure in the night, bent on raping or killing her, she was glad he would be watching over her, making certain no one crossed the line or tried to hurt her.

When she’d come back to Eagle Rock, she’d thought she could handle being in the hometown where she’d been brutalized by a coward wearing a mask. Thirteen years had passed. Mia had taken half a dozen self-defense classes; she owned a gun and knew how to use it. But after her home had been broken into, she wasn’t sure she could stay in Eagle Rock, knowing her attacker could still be there, possibly lurking in the shadows, planning his next attack on her or some other unsuspecting female too weak to resist.

She finally drifted off, exhausted from the stress of the trip, her little bit of housecleaning and being scared half out of her mind by a broken back door, and then being grabbed on the porch by a man in the shadows. In a house full of people who had sworn to help and protect her, Mia was able to sleep dreamlessly, something she hadn’t done since she’d first contemplated returning home.

Mia woke to sunlight filtering around the curtains drawn over the window. She stretched in the bed and remembered she’d left all of her clothes at her house. All she wore was the T-shirt she’d slept in. At night in the throes of terror, she hadn’t cared what she’d worn. Her only concern had been getting to safety as quickly as possible.

With daylight shining through the window, she realized she still had to get back to her house and her suitcase before she could dress presentably.

Her cheeks heated as she thought of the man she’d hired on as a bodyguard. How could she face him that morning in nothing but a T-shirt that barely covered her backside?

A knock on the door made her start and pull the blanket up to her chin. “Who is it?” she asked, her breath catching in her throat. What if it was Bear wanting in to get his things?

“It’s me, Sadie. I thought you might like something to wear down to breakfast.”

At once relieved, Mia let go of the breath she’d been holding, confused by the pang of disappointment that it wasn’t Bear on the other side of the door. Why would she want to see him first thing in the morning when she looked her worst? “Please, come in.” Mia flung back the blanket and swung her legs over the side of the bed. “I was just about to get up.”

Sadie pushed open the door and stepped in carrying a pair of jeans and a belt. “These will probably be too big for you, but I figured something too big was better than nothing at all.”

“Thank you so much.” Mia took the jeans and jammed her legs into them. “These will work until I can get back to my place.” She slid the belt through the loops and cinched the waist tight enough the jeans wouldn’t slip off her hips.

Sadie chuckled as she eyed the material bunched around Mia’s ankles. “Sometimes, I forget how much taller I am than you.”

Mia bent to roll up the pant legs to keep from walking on them. “My mother always said the world would be a boring place if we all were the same shape and size.”

She pulled on her cowboy boots and straightened with a smile. “I’m grateful for the jeans. I was wondering how I would get from here to my place without being seen in nothing but the T-shirt.”

“No one would have been the wiser. That T-shirt covers all the right places.” Sadie grinned. “I left a new toothbrush and hairbrush in the bathroom. When you’re ready, I’ll have breakfast on the table for you.”

“Oh, Sadie, you don’t have to wait on me.
I
should be waiting on
you
. You’re the one who’s pregnant.”

“Don’t be silly. I’m only five months along, and I’m as healthy as a horse. Let me take care of you this morning. Later in my pregnancy, I might need your help.”

“And I will be honored to provide it.”
If I’m still here.
Mia hugged her friend. “I’ll be down in a minute.” She glanced around. “Are the guys up?”

“They’ve been up for a couple of hours. They’re outside taking care of the animals.”

“Oh. What time is it?”

“After ten.”

Mia gasped. “Ten? Why didn’t you wake me? I never sleep past eight.”

Sadie arched her brows. “Apparently, you needed it after your eventful night. When you go back to your house, Hank and I are going with you—and Bear. We’ll want to notify the sheriff of your trespasser.”

Mia chewed on her bottom lip. “Oh, I don’t know.”

Sadie touched Mia’s arm. “Sweetie, you can’t count a busted doorframe as a product of wind or ghosts. The sheriff needs to know. What if someone else is having the same problems? Or better yet, what if the sheriff catches the one who busted your back door before he does it to someone else? You’d be saving that other person from the fright of his life.”

“I suppose you’re right.” Mia didn’t know why she hesitated. Whoever had broken in her back door should be caught and punished. She just didn’t want people to think she was scared. Which she was.

Sadie left her to complete her ablutions. After brushing her hair into some semblance of order and running a tooth brush over her teeth, she hurried downstairs in her oversized jeans.

Even before she reached the bottom of the staircase, she could hear the rumble of male voices. Her pulse picked up, and her breathing grew shallow. After her embarrassing display of cowardice the night before, she wasn’t looking forward to coming face to face with Bear. He must think she was some twit from the city, scared of her own shadow.

Throwing back her shoulders, she faked a smile she didn’t feel and entered the kitchen.

Hank and Bear stood by the back door, their boots dusty, their shirts already showing sweat from hard work, Sadie looking on.

“We loaded some lumber and nails into the back of Bear’s truck.” Hank said, giving her a glance. “You’ll still need to make a trip to the hardware store, for paint and new locks. You’ll want to do that before they close this afternoon. Bear can have the locks installed before dark.”

Sadie waved at the men. “Sit. Have a cup of coffee. Mia hasn’t even had breakfast yet, and you’re organizing her day for her.”

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to head on over to the house and unload,” Bear said.

Mia nodded, her cheeks warm. She hadn’t been shy with anyone since she’d moved to L.A. Why was she timid with the bodyguard? Perhaps she felt that way because he’d seen her afraid and in her night clothes.

Well, she’d just have to get over it. The man would be all over her house, repairing what needed fixing and being there in case she had another incident.

Hank interjected. “I’ll ride over with Mia in her car, and Sadie can follow us. We’ve got you covered, Mia, so Bear can get started.”

Mia smiled. “Sounds like you have a plan.”

“Now, don’t let the men bully you into decisions you don’t like. It’s your house, your schedule and your call.” Sadie gave Hank a stern look. “Don’t be pushy.”

With a laugh, Mia touched Sadie’s arm. “No, really. I appreciate that the guys are helping me with the repairs. And, yes, the sooner they get the door fixed and the locks changed, the better I’ll feel about staying there.”

Sadie didn’t back down. “I love Hank to death, but I know how he gets when he’s in ‘go’ mode and bulldozes everyone around him.”

Hank slipped an arm around her waist. “But you love me for it.”

“I do.” Sadie wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.

Mia looked away from the couple. The only other place her gaze could go was to the man standing in the doorway.

Bear stared back, his gaze unreadable but not disturbing. “I’ll just be going to the house.”

“Do you have the address?” Mia asked.

He nodded. “I’ll unload the lumber and be ready to start as soon as the sheriff’s had a chance to look over the place.”

“Right.” Mia’s stomach knotted. She knew how small towns worked. As soon as the sheriff’s department was notified, everyone in the community would know someone had broken into Mia’s house. That could work in her favor. The trespasser might not attempt it again, knowing she’d alerted the law, and that they might be patrolling her stretch of the road in response.

“We won’t be long,” Hank called out to Bear.

Sadie laid a plate full of bacon, eggs, toast and hash brown potatoes on the table. “Sit.”

Her stomach growling at the wonderful smell of fried bacon, Mia obeyed. “I won’t be long,” she assured Bear.

“Take your time. I’ll be at the house.” Bear left, closing the door softly behind him.

Hank spun on his boot heels. “I’ll call the sheriff. That’ll give him time to head on over to the Chastain place while Mia finishes her breakfast.”

When both men had left the room, Mia tucked into the food Sadie had provided, surprised at just how hungry she was.

“Coffee or tea?”

“Tea,” Mia said, not looking up from her plate.

Sadie poured hot water into a teapot, set two cups and the pot on a tray and carried it to the table. She sank into the seat opposite Mia. “I think you’ll like Bear.”

“I don’t know anything about him. I’m going on Hank’s recommendation.”

“Actually, Swede, one of Hank’s SEAL teammates, met Bear when he was going through physical therapy in Bethesda, Maryland. Bear was a member of the Delta Force. He’s a highly decorated war hero.”

“And he’s going to be a bodyguard and handyman?” Mia shook her head. “How will he feel about that? Seems like he’s overqualified for the job.”

“Folks who haven’t been in the military don’t always understand what our guys have gone through.” Sadie stared down into her cup as if looking into a crystal ball and seeing the man, not the tea. “Reintegrating into the civilian world is really tough after what they’ve been through. Especially if they’ve suffered injuries. All they knew was fighting and war. Some of those battles are still raging inside their heads.”

Mia stared at the doorway Bear had passed through. “And Bear?”

“He was one of three men in his unit to survive an ambush.” Sadie smiled sadly. “Swede said he was pretty banged up. Bear nearly lost his leg in that attack.”

Mia had noticed a decided limp in his gate. “Will he be able to protect me any better than I can with a gun?”

Hank reentered the kitchen. “Bear might have a limp, but he’s got the experience and the grit needed to be a top-notch security specialist.” He tipped his head toward the hallway. “The sheriff’s on his way to your house now.”

Mia pushed away from her half-eaten breakfast and stood. “I’m ready as soon as I brush my teeth.” She ran up to the bathroom and was back in two minutes.

Hank and Sadie led the way out to the vehicles.

When Hank rounded the side of Mia’s car, she frowned. “Hank, you need to ride with your wife. I can drive by myself. Nothing’s going to happen in broad daylight.”

“I don’t mind going with you. And I trust Sadie to drive right with our child in the car.” He winked at Sadie.

“I drive better than you do,” she said.

“Really, I can do this.” Mia got into the car and started the engine. “See you there.”

Hank and Sadie followed her in Hank’s truck.

They all arrived at Mia’s house, turning into the drive behind two sheriff’s vehicles.

Mia cringed. She hadn’t wanted to come back to town and stir up a lot of trouble. But she wasn’t backing down. This was her house. No one was going to scare her away.

Bear came around the side of the house, his gaze going to Mia, his brows rising slightly as if asking if she was all right.

Mia felt warmth spread through her at his look of concern. She gave a slight nod and then turned her attention to Sheriff Bob Wilson, a man who’d been sheriff in Eagle Rock for as long as Mia could remember. He’d been the one she’d called a year ago when her parents hadn’t answered their phone. He was also the one who’d called her with the bad news.

Sheriff Wilson and her parents had been friends. Their deaths had hurt him almost as much as it had hurt her to learn they’d passed. “Mia.” He met her halfway and engulfed her in a typical Bob Wilson bone-crunching hug.

When he released her to breathe again, Mia stepped back and smiled. “Sheriff, it’s good to see you.”

“And you, little girl.” His glance shifted to the house. “Although I would rather have had coffee with you than investigate a break-in.” He turned to the deputy standing nearby. “You remember Larry Maynard? Weren’t you two in high school at the same time?”

Mia’s eyes narrowed as she studied the tall, sandy-blond-haired man in the deputy’s uniform. He looked familiar, maybe a little fuller around the jowls. “Did you play football?”

Maynard grinned. “Every guy in our high school played ball or we wouldn’t have had a team. I think I was two years ahead of you in school.”

“Were you the quarterback?”

He nodded. “I was during my senior year.”

Mia nodded. “I remember. You always dated pretty cheerleaders.”

“I married a cheerleader,” Maynard said. “What about you? What brought you back to Eagle Rock? I thought when people escaped they didn’t come back.”

Sadie stepped up beside her. “She’s here to find the—”

“Inspiration.” Mia grabbed Sadie’s hand and squeezed hard.

“Ow.” Sadie pulled her hand free and stared at Mia as if she’d lost her mind.

“I’m here for the peace and quiet. I’m on deadline to produce a screenplay,” Mia continued.

“That’s right,” Larry said. “You’re a big-time movie writer. I read about you in the Eagle Rock News.”

Mia almost laughed. The local news was nothing more than Margie Rodman’s blog announcing births, deaths and who’d been hauled into the tiny county jail for public intoxication. When one of their own did good, and Margie got wind of it, it became front-page news on her internet blog site.

“I don’t know about big-time, but that’s what I do. I write screenplays.”

“Mia, we’re all so very proud of our local celebrities.” Sheriff Wilson smiled from Hank to Mia and Sadie. “Between the two of you, Eagle Rock is back on the map.” His smile faded. “Now, Mia, show me the damage.”