Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
Price savored each bite of the delicious homemade breakfast that just fit this family, home, and location and made him miss his own mom and family.
The bacon, eggs, hash browns, and homemade bread complete with raspberry jam all had the distinctive taste of being made with loads of butter and love.
Millie and Easton tried to draw Price and Addie out, but mostly Addie succeeded in keeping them talking about their family, specifically the ‘most adorable little girl on earth Presley’ as referred to by her grandmother.
Millie gave them each hugs goodbye after breakfast, telling them, “Come eat or hang out with us anytime, but I know how you need a little bit of privacy.” She lowered her voice and said to Price, “You take care of our beautiful sweetheart Addie now. All right, handsome?”
Price nodded his agreement.
Easton drove them to their cabin. Addie looked unsteady on her feet as Price trailed behind her and Easton on the shoveled walkway and up to a picture-perfect looking, two-story Montana cabin. Was she tired or overwhelmed or scared of her attacker or scared of being alone with Price?
Focusing on the house, he renewed his promise to himself that he would take care of her and keep her safe. If she’d let him.
At least until Aiden replaced him.
The cabin was a quarter the size of the main house.
Two stories, a dark wood finish, with a wide front porch and lots of windows.
Easton escorted them in, and Price took stock of an open living area with a loft above the kitchen.
The kitchen looked to have top of the line appliances, and the living area had leather sofas and a big screen.
“The fridge and pantry are stocked, and you can see Mama left baked goods for you on the counter,” Easton explained. “She was upset about not having time to get the Christmas decorations out.”
“Oh my, she’s too sweet,” Addie said. “We’re … okay.” She looked at Price and away. They were far from it, but he knew she meant okay without a Christmas tree.
“Well, you’re welcome to go chop a tree down and pull out the decorations in the closet under the stairs if you want, but Mama’s got plenty of Christmas decorations and holiday food, and she always cooks every meal like she’s feeding the football team.
” Easton grinned. “You’re welcome for any meal or any time at the main house, but if you all want to hunker down and be together, we understand.
” He gave Price a not-so-secretive wink.
If only the man’s misperceptions of them being a couple were correct.
“We’ll eat all our meals in the main cabin,” Addie said, not glancing at Price.
His stomach dropped. He’d thought a few times this morning she’d started to soften to him, but he’d probably been making it up in his head.
If he could get her alone, could he explain and would she listen?
He’d had her alone the entire plane ride and hadn’t gotten brave enough to force the subject.
Not that they’d talked much. Mostly they both attempted to sleep, but he suspected Addie hadn’t gotten any more rest than he had.
“All right.” Easton shrugged and gave Price a helpless look. He had tried to play wingman, but it clearly wasn’t working.
Price smiled despite his own helplessness at fixing this mess with Addie. Easton felt a lot like some of his brothers in the Navy. He liked the guy and his overconfidence.
“We also have a fabulous gym and sparring ring in the barn if you need to fit a workout in,” Easton continued.
“When we have a break between snowstorms like today, we try to clear the trails so we can get outside on a run or we have the horses tramp the trails down if it’s not too thick of snowfall.
Anywhere within the ranch’s fence line is safe.
Please let us know when you want to get outside.
One of us or our impressive ranch hands, all of whom are former military and continue their training with Papa Jared, can accompany you if you do want to ride horses or go for a run. ”
“Thanks,” Price said, appreciating their diligence at keeping Addie safe. It felt like overkill but they were the experts and he was grateful for the support. What was his role supposed to be? Boyfriend to Addie or bodyguard? Could he do both?
“Sure thing. Now, upstairs there’s three bedrooms and a couple baths.
I’ll let you two work out where you sleep, but Eva has a bunch of girlie clothes and products in the bathroom and closet of the master.
Of course she doesn’t know who you are, but she said to tell you to please use anything and everything you need.
” He nodded to Addie. “We’ve dealt with this situation before, so there are new toothbrushes, beauty products, underwear, clothes, and shoes for you as well. ”
“Thank you,” Addie said. “I can’t believe I didn’t put it together.
Mama talked about her daughter-in-law being the top actress, but my mind is slow today.
Eva Chevron Coleville, the actress? You said they’re in Australia filming a movie?
Your brother is the Navy SEAL hunk Captain Miles Coleville who rescued and married Eva Chevron? ”
Price didn’t like Addie thinking Miles Coleville was a ‘hunk’, though he could admit the man was a hero. Miles rescuing and protecting the well-known actress Eva Chevron had been a huge story a year ago.
“Yes, ma’am. But don’t go thinking my brother is more heroic than me.” Easton gave her a pointed look. “If I didn’t have HIPAA violations and such, I could tell you stories of my heroism that would make you cheer and cry.”
“HIPAA violations?” Addie started laughing at that, and Price joined her. The cowboy was hilarious.
“Now then.” He winked. “My gorgeous wife was still sleeping when I left at seven a.m. to come get you all. I’m past due for some sweet morning kisses.
” He saluted and strutted to the front door, pausing to say, “The code is 0909. You’re welcome to change it if you like.
Just let us know what you changed it to before you leave us.
” He pushed through the door, letting a blast of cold air in, and then he was gone.
The resulting silence was deafening. Especially as Price could hear the words, I’m due for some sweet morning kisses. How would that be? Sweet, tantalizing morning kisses with Addie.
She didn’t look his way. Walking away from him, she headed for the stairs without a word.
Price dodged in front of her.
She stopped in her tracks, staring up at him. “I forgot how fast you move.”
Price was going to show her exactly how fast he could move. Her beautiful blue eyes were soft and inviting. He leaned down closer as she arched up. She’d forgiven him? He would spend the rest of his days proving that he was the man to trust and love her.
Smack.
The sting to his cheek took half a second to register. Usually Price was fast, but he was all out of sorts with Addie.
She clutched the palm of her hand with her other hand and glared at him. “Don’t try to kiss me.”
Price’s eyebrows rose. He studied her. Maybe he should’ve let her have some space, but he was her protector.
For now. He’d heard nothing from Aiden or Nick about a replacement.
It might not be easy so close to Christmas, but Aiden had a plethora of men and a few women working for him.
They’d find someone. The thought was heavy.
Price would like to be with his family for Christmas, but he wanted to be with Addie more.
“Forgive me,” he said softly, meaning for much more than him going for a kiss. “I need to clear the area.”
She glared at him and nodded.
He preceded her up the stairs, his heart and his steps heavy.
He strode into the bedroom and bath on the right.
It was spacious, with large windows looking out at the landscape of trees and snow with a towering mountain to the east. There was a huge master bathroom with a walk-in shower, jetted tub, a long counter with two sinks and a plethora of beauty products, and a closet full of clothes.
Addie followed him into the master bedroom and stood just outside the bathroom door.
“It’s clean,” he said, nodding to her, his cheek stinging. If only he could remedy this situation.
Addie studied him as he exited the bathroom. He made the mistake of getting too close to her. Her pulse raced in her neck. It was strangely intimate to be inside this master bedroom with her.
“I’ll put my stuff in one of the other rooms while you get settled in,” he continued. “Then we need to talk.”
There was too much to talk about, too much forgiveness needed.
He wanted to start down a path of healing and rebuilding trust with Addie but didn’t know if she was on board.
The slap to his face should’ve been his indicator that she didn’t want to talk, but he was a man and a leader and he faced things head on.
“I’m going to take a bath and a nap,” she said decisively, looking his direction but not meeting his gaze. “I’m not ready to talk. Will you check in with Aiden and see if another bodyguard is on their way to take your place?”
Price held in a grunt of pain as he nodded. He turned and strode out of the master, shutting the door behind him. She didn’t want to talk; she wanted him to be replaced. There was clearly no hope of reconciliation with Addie on the horizon.
The stinging slaps kept coming. He deserved them, but they still hurt.
The rest of Monday didn’t get much better for Price.
He chose the bedroom with the firmest mattress and unpacked while he listened to Addie’s bathwater run.
He had to force his thoughts from straying to her in that large bathtub.
He was tempted to stretch out on the bed but didn’t want to let down his guard or miss out on any chance of interaction with Addie before he lost this assignment.