Page 6 of Montana Guardian

Tangling my hands in the frizzy wisps of hair that escaped her ponytail, I groan at the addicting sweetness of this woman. She’s a little reserved with a hidden core of strength and sass—all wrapped in a gorgeous curvy package.

I tilt her head further back to account for our height difference and take control of her tentative kiss, devouring her lush mouth.

Second by second, she melts into me. The rigidity in her shoulders, the strictly poised way she carries herself—it all dissolves as Paige’s body softens and lets me support her.

I knew Paige deserved to have someone looking out for her best interests. Had already decided to be the man for her. To be her guardian. Her protector.

But experiencing the trusting way she gives into me is a heady sensation.

I want Paige Hornby. Desperately.

I just need to prove that I’m worthy of the honor of calling hermine.

***

The five Foster heirs and their partners sit around Addie and Heath’s kitchen table. I asked everyone for a group meeting to discuss the idea I had to help Paige with fundraising, but being together like this reminds me of the lawyer meetings we had back when we were kids.

When we sued Dell Foster for the death of our parents, due to his company plane crashing, and lost.

Shaking off the uncomfortable memories, I cross my arms on the table and lean forward. “Each year, the hockey team has to fundraise a certain amount to pay for travel expenses. The money also goes toward other costs incurred by players,” I begin. “We’re not the only team required to do this either.”

Samantha nods. “Yeah, I remember when the women’s volleyball team hiked up and down Main Street requesting donations from the local businesses. It sucked.”

“So, you’ll understand the value of what I’m proposing,” I say, grateful to have at least one potential vote in my favor. “I’d like to set up an endowment for the school. It will be funded by us since we’ve all received more money than we’ll ever be able to spend, and it will ensure student-athletes and their parents can focus on the game rather than raising money. I plan on going ahead with the plan by myself if none of you are interested, but I figured I’d ask since it’s a good cause.”

“I don’t mind contributing to an endowment. I’d even be interested in expanding it to include non-athletic organizations, too. Like debate team, the chess club, or other academic pursuits,” Addie chimes in as she gently rocks Baby Adriana.Born three months ago, the little girl naps contentedly in her mother’s arms.

“Sounds good to me.” Derek shrugs. I figured he’d be on board once Samantha voiced her past fundraising experience. His woman is the light of his life—a fact that quickly became obvious after arriving at Serenity Ranch earlier this year.

“Me, too.” Hope smiles in agreement as my sister Brooke slaps me on the shoulder.

“Look at you being all philanthropic. I think it’s a fantastic idea, and you can count me in. Should we get a lawyer started on drawing up the papers or whatever to make things official?”

“As long as it’s not the one who drew up the contracts for our marriage and the ranch.” Heath grunts at the mention of the local attorney who took his sweet time organizing the prenuptial agreement between he and Addie.

“I know a guy. I’ll reach out to him,” Travis says, already typing into his phone.

“Awesome.” Clapping my hands to adjourn the informal meeting, I rise to my feet. “I’ll let Paige know that she doesn’t have to worry about fundraising anymore.”

“Ah, now it makes sense. This was all to help you win the girl, huh?” my sister teases, and I shoot her a mock glare.

“Of course not. Families shouldn’t have to worry about finances while playing a school sport.” That’ll be my official spiel when I broach the topic with the high school principal. It’s not a lie. I want to help those families. They just weren’t the catalyst for the idea. “But if it makes things easier for Paige…”

“Then it’s a welcome bonus, and you hope it gains her favor.” Brooke laughs while Travis grins at his wife’s playful ribbing, wrapping an arm around her shoulder as he continues typing.

Damn straight.

CHAPTER FIVE

PAIGE

“I come bearing gifts…”

The doorbell rings and Gage yells that he's got it. Smoothing sweaty palms down my pants, I take a deep breath.

It's just dinner.

He's just a man.

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