Chapter 3
three
LIVVY
Amelia ran across the park with Aria on her heels. I held back my wince and my mothering urge to call out to them and tell them to be careful. I didn’t think I was going to be able to calm down and act rationally when it came to my daughter anytime soon. That first night after the near accident, I’d ended up sleeping on the floor in her room, aware I was on the verge of hovering too much. But I’d woken up every hour to watch the rise and fall of her chest—just to make sure I hadn’t been dreaming of the worst.
I could still see her little scared face as she fell back into the road.
I don’t know what I would’ve done if Ewan hadn’t been there to catch her.
No, I wasn’t going to think about that again.
I also tried not to think about Ewan at all. Considering the night after, it had taken all my strength to not dream about him. I had woken up in a sweat more than once. Of course, most of it had been because of Amelia. I had kept imagining what could’ve happened if the cyclist hadn’t been there, if I had been closer.
Or if Ewan had not.
I held back a shudder. I was not going to continue to think of worst-case scenarios. The more I did, the more I knew I would not be able to sleep anytime soon.
Only, it wasn’t that worst-case scenario that had kept me up the past two nights.
No, it was also about that damn sexy cowboy. I wasn’t in the mood for the space to think about a man like that.
My friends and family had been trying to get me out of the house more often lately. Everybody was so kind when it came to me being a single mother. However, I felt as if they wanted me to continue to reach out and want more. But I didn’t want any more. I liked where I was.
I loved my daughter. I loved my job. And I didn’t want to ruin anything by wanting more.
As it was, I couldn’t think about the future when the past still had its claws deep inside, trying to dig its way through my soul and promises.
Because I could not find Brick.
I had been so young and stupid when I thought I had fallen for him. I had thought he could give me the world and he had done a good job faking it.
He had been so kind, so caring. He also had been good in bed, and always made sure I was taken care of when we were out.
But one positive pregnancy test later, and he had run away. He hadn’t even bothered to run with his tail between his legs. No, he had run with his chin held high and two middle fingers in the air.
And I hated him more with each passing day. I knew it wasn’t healthy. I knew I shouldn’t think about him at all. He had never met his daughter—had never even cared to reach out.
It was his loss. I knew that.
Yet there was always some part of me that was afraid he would show up and try to take my daughter from me. It didn’t make any sense, but his family had connections. If they bothered , they could. They had that power.
And their power scared me more than anything.
Only, we couldn’t find him to ensure my daughter was safe in my arms for eternity.
Part of me hoped he had run away and never wanted to look back. His family didn’t contact us, and while I appreciated that, I could not sever that connection fully without knowing where he was. And honestly, it worried me that Montgomery Security—my family’s company who could find anyone and keep them safe—couldn’t find Brick.
Because what was my ex hiding?
And when would he come back so my own choices would haunt me as they always did.
It didn’t help that Amelia was starting to ask more questions about her daddy. She had been so enamored with all of the men in my family, that I had hoped that would be enough. That I would be enough.
Between my father, brother, cousins, and uncles, I had hoped there would be enough men in her life that she would not feel the lack of not having a father around.
But now she wanted to know him.
And I didn’t have any answers for her.
She was far too young, far too precious. And I was failing as a mother. I knew that.
Only I was out of options on how to make things better.
“Earth to Livvy,” Aria said from my side.
I jolted out of my thoughts and turned to my cousin. Before I could say anything, however, Amelia jumped into my arms and I fell back on the blanket, all three of us laughing until our sides hurt. I set my daughter up with her snack and bubble water and tried to be content with what we had, rather than worry for what could have happened.
I looked over at Aria and forced a smile, pushing those thoughts from my head. She had her dark hair pulled back from her face in a twisted knot that had mostly come undone. And somehow it totally worked for her.
My cousin also had that odd look in her eyes that told me she was just as far deep into her thoughts as I was.
I wanted to help Aria. We all did. But she was never going to allow us.
And Aria wasn’t one to ask for help.
The call is coming from inside the house.
Because yes, I was just the same. It worried me that both of us pushed away thoughts of help and our families when we needed them the most. Considering how amazing our families were. Perhaps that was the problem. Everybody was so good at what they did, so selfless, that it was hard to be the one who needed help.
“Sorry. I’m delighted that you’re out here today.”
Aria studied my face for a moment, and a small smile appeared. “I’m glad I’m here too. I’ve been lost in the woods recently with my latest project. So it’s good for me to get out a bit more.”
“Can you talk about your project?” I asked, as interested in her art as ever.
“Soon. I’m just trying to get in the thick of it. You know me. Once I start talking about it too much, I either lose interest, or I screw up.”
“No that’s not the case.” I scratched my nose. “I loved your latest venture. The show was absolutely stunning.”
A blush crossed Aria’s cheeks, and she did that shrug she always did when she didn’t like taking compliments. I didn’t blame her since I was the same. “It helps our family owns the gallery.”
I rolled my eyes. “The family doesn’t show random art pieces that are better placed on the fridge. And it’s not just family who gets in.”
“True. Although I would love it if Nate would let us show one of his pieces.”
I smiled, thinking of our cousin Nate. He was Uncle Storm and Everly’s son, and a brilliant painter. But he didn’t want us showing off his work. In fact, most of the artists in our family tended to try to keep their work away from the Montgomery gallery.
While I didn’t work in that field or in the building the Montgomerys owned, many of my cousins did.
On one side of the building was Montgomery Security, where Aria had worked for a short time. They were private security, bodyguards, and also installed security systems for those who needed it. Next to that was Montgomery Legacy, the tattoo shop that another set of cousins owned and operated. It wasn’t the first of its ilk in our family, considering my father owned another branch, but each person in my family who worked with art had a different medium. A different specialty. Next to that was Latte on the Rocks, a coffee shop and bakery that hadn’t technically been owned by the Montgomerys at first, but of course, the women who owned it married into the family. Apparently, that’s what we did. If we didn’t own something, we married the owners.
The business next door had once been a bike shop, though our family didn’t like to think about that. The operator had hidden a dark side that none of us had seen until it had almost been too late. But now it was family only under our roof. And while that section was a gallery for certain nights, it was also a school for those who wanted to learn different mediums.
Everybody was so talented, and I wish I could do something other than draw stick figures with slightly disproportionate limbs.
“Mommy? Can I have ice cream?”
I looked down at the grapes in her hand before leaning over to tap her nose with my finger. “I thought you already had your snack, Amelia Montgomery.”
My daughter looked up at me with those bright blue eyes and fluttered her eyelashes. I barely resisted the urge to narrow my gaze because I was pretty sure the woman at my left had taught her that trick.
“But I ate my fruit. I’ve been really good.”
“She has you there.”
I scowled at my best friend and cousin, wondering what I had done to deserve all of this cuteness. “Well, I’m glad that I had already planned on making sure we were near your favorite place with soft serve.”
Amelia stood up, her hands in the air. “Yay!”
I swallowed hard, tears threatening as I looked at my baby girl. She was so happy. I knew that we would grow together, and she would hit her teenage years, and things would be different. For now though, I’d treasure these moments.
And if my baby wanted ice cream, she was going to get ice cream. Because she never asked for much.
“Okay, my darling terror, it’s my turn to spoil you.” Aria stood up and held out her hand, and my daughter slid hers into her aunt’s.
“Be careful crossing the street,” I blurted, and Aria didn’t narrow her gaze at me or even roll her eyes. She just simply squeezed my daughter’s hand a little tighter, and I knew she was thinking the same thing I had.
We had almost lost Amelia because of the strange set of circumstances and letting her out of our sight or reach wasn’t going to happen anytime soon.
“We’ll be back soon.” Then Amelia’s eyes widened, and her teeth bit into her lip. I did not trust that expression.
I stiffened, the hairs on the back of my neck rising. “What?”
“Oh, just a certain cowboy is behind you.”
I turned quickly, nearly knocking myself over onto the blankets, and there he was.
Ewan.
I nearly questioned how Aria would even know what this man looked like, and then I remembered that Lex had shown his photo to everyone so they could have an idea of what he looked like as he told the story.
It had taken everything within me not to ask for that photo myself. There was something wrong with me.
We weren’t in the same park as before, but we were close to it. In fact we were near a common event center where I knew they had planned activities for weddings. I wasn’t quite sure what exactly they did, but it was commonplace to see groups of people preparing for their nuptials.
So it would make sense if Ewan had been close by already, that he might be here.
In all the parks in all the world.
His back was to me though, and he didn’t see me, and I was grateful for that. He probably didn’t need to see the drool currently sliding down my chin.
“Ewan! Mr. Ewan!”
I cursed as the man in question turned at the sound of my daughter’s voice. I noticed his eyes widen marginally before that gorgeous smile played over his face.
My heart stopped. In that moment it felt as if someone had ripped my heart ever so slightly so I could pause this time.
It didn’t make any sense.
I didn’t even know this man. It must just be a delayed reaction for him saving my daughter’s life.
And not because I found him attractive or anything.
“Whoa,” Aria said, and I glared at her.
Amelia waved and Ewan did the same while I tried to ignore my ovaries screaming in glee.
“I’m going to pack up and put everything in the car. Why don’t you go get her ice cream now.”
“Sure. But don’t you think it’s a coincidence that he and his group are here?” she asked, her voice far too casual.
And as I narrowed my gaze at her, I realized that her plan for this park hadn’t been a coincidence at all. Yes, I had wanted one near an ice cream shop my daughter would like, but it had been Aria’s idea for this exact one. Oh, she had known he might be here.
Either she wanted to get a good look at him, or perhaps my cousin had seen far too much.
Well crap.
“Why don’t you head over to that ice cream shop? We can discuss this later.”
My cousin beamed as she and Amelia skipped off to get ice cream, and I packed up our small basket of things.
Ewan had gone back to his conversation after smiling over at us and I knew that was a good thing. It wasn’t as if I truly knew this man. He was just an acquaintance of my family. One who had been there at the right time. Nothing more. Nothing less.
I was not going to think about a certain dream I’d had of him before.
A blush stained my cheeks as I made my way to my car and stuffed everything into the back.
“Does he really have a date to the wedding? Or is he just saying this to save face?” a woman asked from two cars down. I couldn’t see who she was, and I knew she couldn’t see me, but for some reason her voice carried.
“He’s lying. Ewan is just playing hard to get. Don’t you worry, I’ll make sure he’s not single for long.”
“Trish, you’re terrible. Ewan is a nice guy,” another woman said.
However, I had frozen at the sound of Ewan’s name. Were these women going to the same wedding? And Ewan had date. Or at least they were questioning if he did. I didn’t know why that was any of my business, or why my body was reacting in any sort of way. But I swallowed hard and gently closed the door so I didn’t startle them and they wouldn’t know I had been eavesdropping.
“When Kandi started dating Jackson, she promised she would try to set me up with him. And it hasn’t happened yet. I’m tired of dating small town boys. I want a real man, with a real job, and a real future.”
“You mean a big bank account with the vast spread of acreage,” a third woman said slyly.
“I can’t help it if I like pretty things. And Ewan could get me pretty things.”
My hands twisted on my purse strap, and part of me wanted to go over and ask what the hell that woman was thinking. But again, it was none of my business.
Of course, I thought I should probably tell Ewan people were talking about him like he was a large bank account with a blank checkbook. Right? I could mention it to Lexington, and he could mention it to Ewan. That way I wouldn’t have to speak to the man who made me all fluttery inside.
Then again it wasn’t any of my business. And from what I could tell, Ewan didn’t have any trouble brushing this woman off. Apparently he’d declined to being her date.
Because he already had one.
Again I ignored the little twinge and quietly made my way out of the parking lot so I could meet up with Aria.
I turned the corner and ran smack into a rock-hard chest. My hands went right to that chest, and I froze, realizing exactly who I’d run into.
Ewan had put his hands on my hips to steady me, and neither one of us moved as we were pressed firmly against one another, my breath oddly quickening.
I had met my share of pretty men, handsome men, rugged ones. But for some reason that strong jaw line of his did something to me. I needed to be aware of that though. I had fallen for a pretty face before. And while I had gotten the love of my life out of it with Amelia, I had lost something as well.
Just like that, I cooled slightly.
“I thought that was you across the park,” his deep voice said, and once again I was all warm deep inside.
How could he make me hot so quickly?
“I thought that was you as well,” I said lamely. “Thank you for waving.”
I could have hit myself.
“Where’s Amelia?” he asked as he looked over my head, and part of me softened inside. Because of course he would ask after the little girl that he saved. Damn it. That man needed to stop being desirable. Or at least not be so interesting.
“She should be back on her way with ice cream with her aunt.” I cleared my throat and realized we were both still touching each other. Ewan didn’t immediately let go. Instead he squeezed my hips ever so slightly before taking a step back. I ran my hands down my thighs, feeling awkwardly bereft at the lack of contact. I had clearly been losing my mind and needed to get laid. It had been far too long.
“I should probably tell you something,” I blurted, wondering why I was getting in the middle of it.
His brow rose. “Okay. Actually I’m glad I caught you because I was here to ask you something. But what is it?” Worry etched on his face.
My teeth bit into my lip before I finally allowed myself to get in the middle of whatever this was . “I don’t know if it’s you, but somebody mentioned your name.” I was whispering before I looked over my shoulder to see if the women had come this way. Thankfully it looked like they had gone to the other side of the parking lot.
Ewan followed my gaze, and I watched as his jaw tightened ever so slightly.
“Let me guess, the bridal party said something to you?” He stared me down, and I swallowed hard. “Did they hurt you?”
My eyes widened. “No. I don’t know them, and they didn’t even say a word to me. But I think they were talking about you.” I swallowed hard once again and told him what they said.
Ewan groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Hell. I do not know why that woman won’t take no for an answer.”
“I kind of explained why she won’t,” I said gently.
Ewan snorted. “Yes, the size of my…ranch.”
I burst out laughing, and he chuckled right along with me. A deep chuckle that vibrated inside me.
“I would just be careful at the wedding since she doesn’t think you have a date or wants to replace them.” That sobered me slightly at the reminder. “And I would warn your date.”
Ewan winced and put his hands in his pockets. “About that…” His voice trailed off, and I licked my lips. His gaze went straight to my mouth at the action, and I froze.
“About what?” I asked, my voice oddly breathy.
“You said you owe me.”
I blinked, not sure where he was going with this. “Of course I do. You saved Amelia. I’ll do anything.” I pause. “Within reason.”
His lips twitched at that. “I lied to Trish and the others. I don’t have a date.” My heart did that twist thing once more, and I did my best to ignore it. “Will you pretend to be my date?” He paused. “And pretend that I asked you long before this.”
I blinked, utterly surprised. “You want me to be your fake date to your best friend’s wedding?”
He ran his hand over the back of his neck, a blush creeping up his face. It was oddly sexy.
“Okay, maybe we can’t pretend that I asked you long before this since they know I met you when I caught Amelia.”
“That makes sense. You can’t really reinvent history,” I said, trying to figure out exactly what he wanted. And exactly what I was going to say.
“No, I can’t. And I would ask you to be my real date to the wedding, but I have a feeling you would say no.”
He met my gaze, and I had to wonder exactly how he had known that. Because I didn’t know him. Yet, if he’d asked me out on a true date, to a wedding or anywhere else, I would have said no.
Because there was something about him that made me want to scream yes.
The last time I had said yes in that fashion, I had gained the most precious point of my life but lost everything else in the process. I didn’t trust myself. I didn’t trust my own desires.
Therefore I didn’t date.
Only he was trying to get me out of my comfort space…and I indeed owed him. Yet how did he know what I would say without even asking?
That worried me, and yet, I wanted an excuse.
My failing once again.
“What exactly are you asking, Ewan?” I asked softly.
“Be my fake date to the wedding. Protect me from Trish and the others.” His lips quirked into a smile. “Don’t make me a complete liar to my friends.”
“You’re serious.”
“I’ll come up with an excuse, a timeline of how things worked out, but come with me. Just as friends.” He cleared his throat, and I bit my lip. “No pressure. No worries. Just really good food, and you have to deal with me in a tux.”
I nearly had to clamp my thighs together at the image. Because…wow. “This doesn’t make any sense.”
“It doesn’t have to. But please save me from the wedding party. Help me, Livvy. You’re my only hope.”
I laughed out loud at that, knowing I was crazy to even think about saying yes.
Only I didn’t want to say no. I wanted to take the leap and not look down. Damn the consequences.
“Okay. I can be your fake date.”
At my response, his smile brightened, and I saw Aria and Amelia out of the corner of my eye coming toward us.
I really hoped I knew what I was doing.