Page 22 of The Female Warrior & The Charming Gentleman

“You too,” Autumn said. “Thank you for hosting us.”

Thankfully, Millie didn’t try to touch her or hug her or anything.

“Of course, dear. I pray you’ll enjoy your stay.” Millie turned toward Jarom, and her eyes lit up. She clasped her hands together in front of herself. She obviously wanted to throw herself at Jarom, or at least get introduced to him. “Hello.” Her voice quavered slightly.

Jarom stepped forward and extended his hand.

“Mama,” Easton said. “This is Jarom Love.”

“Well, sweetheart, I know who he is,” Millie said in an undertone, fanning her face with her free hand.

Jarom grinned. “It’s an honor to meet you, Mrs. Coleville. Thank you for so graciously inviting us into your beautiful home.”

Millie’s smile encompassed her entire face. She’d thankfully forgotten Autumn was there as she clasped Jarom’s hand and stared doe-eyed at him. Autumn didn’t mind keeping it that way.

“We’re the ones honored, dear. And please, you have to call me Mama.”

“Thank you, Mama.” Jarom was of course as comfortable as could be. Was there a situation he wouldn’t be comfortable in? She’d like to see him surrounded by burly men thinking he was a plaything, taunting with the men and eventually beating all of them up. She tilted her chin. So there. She was accomplished too, simply in different arenas.

“Come on back to the kitchen now. I’ve got all kinds of breakfast ready.” Millie gesturedthem through.

“It smells like heaven. We’ll be right behind you,” Jarom said diplomatically. “I need to ask Autumn something.”

“All right, dear.” Millie smiled, turned, and bustled away.

Easton followed Millie, glancing back only once.

Autumn turned to Jarom. “What’s up?” she asked shortly. She wanted to suffer through breakfast, shower, and then what would they do with themselves? She needed to talk to Aiden and figure out what the plan was. Would she be stuck in the picturesque mountains of Montana trying to resist Jarom, discourage Easton, and keep Millie from cussing her out again?

“Are you all right?” he asked softly, easing a bit closer.

“Yes,” she said, tilting her chin up. “Why would I not be?”

“You were visibly uncomfortable around Mama.” His blue eyes searched hers.

“Some of us aren’t billionaire heartthrobs who everybody is dying to meet and gush over.”

His smile was patient and understanding. “Don’t worry. Mama’s a very nice lady, and she’s uncomfortable as well. If she lays into you, I’ll stand up for you.”

“Oh.” She had no words. Paul or Aiden would stand up for her. If she ever asked them to. Her buddies would protect her. If she let them. But Jarom would stand up for her if Millie ‘laid into her’. It was very thoughtful of him. Even more kind was him recognizing she was uncomfortable and making the effort to let her know he was on her team. He couldn’t even know about how uncomfortable she felt around mother figures in general. What kind of dark-souled person felt like that?

Miraculously, Jarom noticed her insecurities and would stand up for her. She always stood up for herself, but at this moment it felt incredible to know she could rely on him.

“Thank you,” she managed. She wanted to throw her armsaround his neck and cling to him, lean into his emotional resiliency and unique strength, but she wasn’t ready to let down her guard that completely. So she turned and walked toward the kitchen, ready to face Millie. It surely wouldn’t be that bad. Especially with Jarom by her side.

His hand rested on her lower back, and he escorted her through the living area with an arched opening into the huge dining room and kitchen area.

She felt safe and protected with Jarom escorting her. That was crazy as she was protecting him, not the other way around. She didn’t need some man keeping her safe.

Yet somehow … she needed Jarom.

Chapter

Eight

Jarom enjoyed chattingwith Mama and Easton through breakfast. He stayed close to Autumn, which seemed to bother Easton and impress Mama. He got the impression Mama didn’t want Autumn going after Easton. He agreed with her. The breakfast was a delicious spread of breakfast burritos and fruit parfaits. Autumn gradually relaxed around Mama, and he and Easton were able to tease her and draw her out more.

After breakfast, he and Autumn helped clean up. Easton had to go feed his horses ‘second breakfast’, then he’d go to his cabin to shower and come back so they could plan their day. Easton would be Autumn’s partner bodyguard for the next little while. His twin Walker and his new wife Marci would be there for dinner tonight and Walker could spell him off if needed. His older brother Clint, the sheriff in town, would come by in a couple days when his fiancée was on a shift at the hospital in Kalispell.

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