CHAPTER NINE
Melanie needed to tell her mom about the break-in, though she dreaded making the call. It would only heighten Donna’s anxiety about her daughter and granddaughter’s safety.
Before reaching out, she heard from Luke Ballard and scheduled an appointment for his initial assessment. She texted the time to Gage. It felt good knowing he had her back.
At least now she had something concrete to show Donna, that she was taking action and handling things.
Her mom picked up on the first ring. “Hello, my girl.”
“Hi, Mom. How’s it going?”
“We’re good. Let me sit down and put you on speaker.” She sounded out of breath.
“What’d I interrupt?”
“Dean and I broke down the pop-up tent we use for the vaccination clinic. We had over thirty people bring in their pets to get shots, and one couple fell in love with a little kitten and adopted it.” Donna volunteered at the local animal shelter. “All around, it was a good day.”
“Good for you.”
“What’s going on? I can hear something in your voice.” Donna had a highly tuned antenna where her daughter was concerned.
Melanie told her about the break-in. Donna’s reaction was strong as expected.
“Good lord in heaven, Mellie. Those men could’ve hurt you. Thank god Gage was there. What if Addy had been home? The thought of something happening to that little girl scares me like nothing else.”
“I know, Mom, but I’ve got a plan.”
“I do too. You and Addy can move in with me and Paul until the police learn why those men targeted you. We have plenty of space and you’d be welcome here.”
Melanie knew good and well if she and Addy moved in, her mom would hold on fast and tight, and it would be doubly hard to leave again. Melanie couldn’t sacrifice her hard-earned independence.
“No, Mom. Addy and I are staying here.”
“Hear me out. This house has two guest rooms so you and our girl could each have your own room. We’re closer to the elementary school so the bus wouldn’t be an option, but Paul and I can help with drop-off and pickup. You know we’d do anything for you and Addy.”
Melanie had heard variations of Donna’s proposal since she’d made the decision to return to Sisters.
“I know you would, Mom. You’re a big part of why we moved back.
But we’re staying in our house. I contacted a home security specialist who’s coming out to give me a quote.
” She didn’t like using Gage as a guarantor of her safety, but these were desperate times.
“Plus, Gage is right next door. He’s former FBI and has his own security company.
He recommended the security guy I have an appointment with. ”
“Thank goodness for Gage. Next time I see him, I’m giving that man a big hug. In fact, maybe I’ll bake him thank-you cookies.”
“Mom, you don’t need to do that.”
Melanie could almost hear the wheels in Donna’s head turning. “You’re right. You’re going to bake him cookies. Or invite him to dinner. Because that’s what you do when a handsome, single man saves your life.”
“I told him thank you.” Melanie cringed at the petulance she heard in her own voice.
“I raised you to have better manners than that.”
“Right.” Dammit. “I’ll do something, Mom. Promise.”
With Addy’s bus due any moment, they rang off. Donna was in full agreement that Addy didn’t need to know about the events of the morning.
That afternoon, as Addy lay on the living room floor with her colored pencils and a unicorn coloring book, Melanie found herself having trouble focusing.
She sat on the loveseat with her laptop balanced on her knees. But instead of working on her manuscript, she’d spent the past ten minutes searching chocolate chip cookie recipes. Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies would be good, especially if she added chopped nuts.
After dinner, Melanie and Addy trekked across the footbridge over the creek.
Mel carried a flashlight and Addy carried the container of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies—they’d each sampled one and deemed them gift-worthy.
The sun had disappeared beyond the mountains in the west, and the brightest stars were beginning to emerge.
Security lights came on as they climbed the slope to Gage’s house. A muted woof sounded from inside.
“I hear Pancake,” Addy exclaimed.
A moment later Pancake nosed her way through the dog flap in the side door to bound across the driveway. Addy clutched the cookie container to her chest when Pancake sniffed it.
“It’s not for you, Pancake. Chocolate chips are bad for dogs.”
The door opened and Gage leaned against the frame like he had all the time in the world. Hair finger-combed back from his forehead, broad shoulders filling the space, long legs casually crossed. His eyes, dark and direct, zeroed in on her beneath a furrowed brow.
Her heart fluttered in her chest and Melanie couldn’t help but think no, no, no. Her attraction was over the top and it scared her. She and Addy were fine on their own. She didn’t need a man in her life. And yet, every time she saw him, she fell a little deeper.
He’d risked himself this morning. He could have called 9-1-1 and let law enforcement handle it. But no. He’d run headlong into danger to keep her safe. Brave, capable, protective. Of course, he was the kind of guy who took on two intruders single-handedly.
“Hi, Gage, we brought thank-you cookies ’cause Mom says you helped her this morning.”
Addy beamed, holding up the plastic container like a prize.
Gage’s gaze rested on Melanie, and she gave a quick shake of her head. She hadn’t told Addy about the break-in.
He didn’t miss a beat. He took the cookies, holding them up to the light. “Cookies. I like the sound of that. What kind we got here, sunshine?”
“Oatmeal chocolate chip,” Addy said. “I helped Mom bake them. We tested them to make sure they taste good.”
Gage grinned. That grin. Melanie barely resisted a groan. It’d been a long time since she’d been attracted to a man.
“Quality control is important,” he said solemnly. “And the verdict?”
“Yummy,” Addy announced, her gap-toothed smile lighting her face.
“Come on in. I want to try these.”
“Oh, we don’t want to intrude,” Melanie said quickly, trying to rein in what she could control.
“But I want to see Pancake’s house.” Addy bounced on her toes.
Gage shot Melanie a smug look and opened the door wider so Addy could enter.
He met Melanie’s gaze over the container. “You coming?” She had the uncomfortable feeling he knew exactly why she hesitated.
Outmaneuvered, Melanie stepped past Gage into a small room off the kitchen.
A washer and dryer sat beneath a long counter, with a basket of clean clothes perched on top.
Across from it was a bench with cubbies for shoes and hooks for jackets.
A red leash hung beside a familiar black coat.
In the corner, Pancake’s food and water dishes sat on a gray mat.
“You have an actual mudroom,” she said, pausing to take it in. “Why doesn’t every house have one? I have mudroom envy.”
“Didn’t even know they were a thing until I stayed at Shane’s,” Gage said. “And I agree, it’s a useful space.” He pointed to the hooks. “You can hang your jacket there.”
She added her bright red puffer next to his. The contrast made her feel weirdly domestic.
He led them into the kitchen, U-shaped, with clean lines and cool gray quartz counters. While it wasn’t fancy, it was neat and efficient. The window over the sink looked toward her house.
At the far end, a cozy nook held a wooden table framed by large windows that brought in the outdoors.
He set the cookies on the counter.
She stooped to pick up Addy’s pink coat where she’d dropped it and took it to the mudroom.
In the nook, Addy was on her knees next to a basket overflowing with dog toys. She held up a bright blue ball. Pancake locked in on it, tail thumping the wall.
“Addy, not in the house,” she warned.
“Can I take it outside?”
“It’s dark.”
“The outdoor lights are on,” Gage said. Maybe he’d caught Melanie’s clutch of panic because his voice softened. “They’ll be safe.”
She gave a small nod.
Gage turned to Addy. “Stick to the upper driveway. If you bounce it high, Pancake’ll try to catch it.”
Melanie helped Addy on with her coat and Gage opened the door to let dog and child out. Melanie watched from the window as Addy did what Gage suggested. Pancake leaped into the air to snag the ball and Addy let out a peal of laughter.
“Coffee? Tea?” he asked.
“I didn’t mean to barge in on you after taking up your whole day.”
He raised a brow. “You and little miss sunshine showing up with cookies? I’m not complaining.”
“That’s gracious of you. Um, tea then. Thanks.”
He filled a kettle and set it on the range, then gestured toward an open cabinet filled with various tea boxes. “Pick what you want.”
She raised her brows. “I pegged you as strictly a coffee guy.”
“If I want to sleep, I switch to tea by midafternoon.” He shrugged. “Also Emery, Shane’s wife, drinks tea. I keep a couple boxes of what she likes on hand.”
She picked a bag and dropped it into a ceramic mug while Gage did the same. Outside, Addy and Pancake played in the spill of light from the back porch.
Gage popped the lid on the cookies and shoved a whole one in his mouth. He chewed slowly and swallowed. “Damn good cookies. C’mon. I’ll give you a tour.”
He pointed to stairs near the front door. “Basement’s down there.”
“You have a basement? In California?”
“Unusual, right? The space needs work. It’s currently a home gym.”
She nodded as she glanced at the window yet again. “They’re fine,” she said aloud, mostly to convince herself.
“We can bring them in if you’re worried.”
“No. I’m fighting the instinct to keep her glued to my side. I know that’s not good for either of us.”
“You’re doing great.”
“Show me the rest.”
The house was L-shaped with the kitchen forming the short leg and the living room and bedrooms the long. They moved into the spacious, minimally decorated living room. The showpiece was a picture window framing the western sky still holding a hint of lavender from the sunset.
The couch faced a fireplace and a big-screen TV. Gage opened a sliding door to a deck beyond. “I need to get furniture for the house, but I like sitting outside so I started here.”
Melanie stepped out onto the wide deck with cushioned seating and a metal fire pit. “This is nice, Gage. You’ve got an incredible view of the mountains by day, and the amazing night sky after dark.”
“Yeah. Being close to the outdoors sold me on this place.” He took her hand, leading her back inside, and slid the door shut. “And being up against the national forest means no neighbors behind me. Owen and Keeley have a similar setup not far from here.”
She liked the way his big hand wrapped around hers made her feel grounded at the same time her heart sped up from the contact.
“Bathroom, my bedroom with a master bath, guest rooms, my office.” He gestured as they went. “Nothing fancy, but it works for me.”
She peeked into the rooms as they passed. Sparse but clean. “You’ve got a good house, Gage. I like the open layout.” Personal touches were minimal. A few photos or prints would add warmth, but the bones were solid. “How long have you lived here?”
“A little over a year. I didn’t bring much from my apartment.
Emery, Delaney, and Cam staged an intervention.
I was told I couldn’t keep living out of boxes and needed a bed that wasn’t inflatable.
I let them pick out furniture and outfit the kitchen.
Best decision I ever made because I don’t have a clue there. ”
“They care about you.”
“They do. Nosy as hell, but they’re good people.”
Back in the kitchen, the kettle was whistling. Gage poured steaming water into her mug. She walked to the mudroom and opened the door. “Addy, time to come in.”
“Aw, Mom. Me and Pancake are having fun.”
“C’mon, kid,” Gage spoke from over her shoulder. “Someone’s got to help me eat these cookies.”
Addy’s cheeks were ruddy from the cold as she trailed Pancake inside.
“Hang up your coat, Addy,” Melanie reminded her.
Gage pointed to a plastic container on a shelf. “Grab a biscuit for Pancake. It’ll keep her from having cookie envy.”
After Addy washed her hands, Gage set her up with cookies and a glass of milk at the kitchen table. Overhead lights cast a golden glow. Melanie felt another hard tug on her heart. Sharing the quiet of the evening with Gage felt exactly right.
Melanie sipped her tea and let herself breathe, relaxing for the first time since Gage’s call that morning.
Addy giggled at something Gage said, and the corners of his eyes crinkled when he smiled.
Her gaze drifted to the rough scars circling his wrists.
Something had happened to him, something violent that had left physical evidence as a reminder.
When they’d finished their cookies, she said, “Time to head home, baby. Let’s take our dishes to the sink and get our coats.”
“Okay.” Addy’s voice drooped with reluctance.
“Pancake and I’ll walk you back,” Gage said, his tone casual, but the look in his eyes as they met Melanie’s made it clear: he wasn’t about to let her go home alone.
He’d picked up on her nervousness about returning to an empty house.
They walked back together with the wind whispering through the pine trees and the glow of the moon rising from behind the mountain. Addy kept up a running monologue as she walked ahead with Pancake, one hand buried in the dog’s fur.
Gage reached for Melanie’s hand, their fingers lacing together like it was the most natural thing in the world.
“Nice,” he murmured.
Too nice. The kind of nice that slipped past defenses and made Melanie forget all the reasons she should be careful.
Her heart edged closer to something dangerous.
Something she wasn’t sure she could stop.