Page 3 of Guardian

“Or what?” Gary bites. He glances toward me. “Who the hell is this guy?”

“Doesn’t matter who I am.” Boone steps between Gary and I, towering over us both. I see from this angle that he keeps a handgun tucked into the waistband of his jeans. I should probably be terrified. A big man in the woods with a loaded gun… that’s a little intimidating. At least it would be if I didn’t live up here where that describes most men. Honestly, armed is how I’d describe most women here, too. That said, the whole caveman thing has never really done anything for me before… until now. Now, there's something comforting about this archaic display of protection that’s soothing the wounded bird in me. Soothing might be the wrong word. He'sarousingthe wounded bird in me.

God, that sounds weird,but it’s true. I can’t remember the last time my clit had its own heartbeat.

Gary laughs under his breath and glances toward me. “This isn’t over, Dee. We’ll talk later.” He doesn’t bother making eye contact with Boone again because he’s only tough when it comes to women. The man can’t stand up to another man, especially one the size of Boone. I always knew it in my head, but watching it play out in real life is much more validating.

Boone turns back toward me, his gaze searching mine for something I can’t figure out just yet. Finally, he says, “You’re shaken up. Let’s go get you some tea.”

I know I just met him, he’s much older than me, and I promised myself I wouldn’t start something new, but it’s only a drink. One single drink, and honestly, what else am I doing today?

Chapter Two

Boone

This is a mistake. I’m not a late morning snack at the bakery kind of guy, especially on a busy Saturday. I think everyone on the mountain has come down to try out the weekend donut special. A dozen filled for six dollars is the best deal I’ve seen since the diner started giving a slice of pie with the Tuesday dinner plate. Twelve bucks for a huge spaghetti dinner and a slice of mile high is a steal. A steal that brings folks in, introverted or not.

It’s not that I don’t like people. I appreciate plenty of folks in town. What I don’t like is massive amounts of people all hoarding into one place at the same time.

That said, I can’t miss the opportunity to sit with Daphne. She’s the first woman in ages that I’ve felt any attraction to whatsoever… which is pretty fucked up, considering our age difference. I’d guess she’s in her mid-thirties, and that’s way too young for me. Hell, she’s still in the prime of her life. I’m going downhill on a train car with no brakes.

She leans forward, stirring her cup of coffee with the spoon. “Sorry you had to see all that on the trail. He’s… a mess. I don’t even know who that man is anymore.”

“I see that.” I glance down at my donut and up again, wondering how far I should go, how much I should press, but my mouth is moving before I can make a thoughtful decision. “You mind me asking what happened?”

She raises her brows and blows out a heavy breath as a woman behind her carries a tray of croissants to a nearby table. “He… I think we both had good intentions, but we couldn’t get it right.”

“He’s not here. You don’t have to be polite. You can tell me all those feelings you were going to tell the dog. Fair warning, though, I never know what to say back.”

Her mouth opens ever so slightly, and she wets her lips. “I don’t want to bore you with my drama. Do you like hiking usually?”

I lean back in the small café chair. They really don’t make these things for big guys, which is weird considering we’re a community grown on steak and potatoes. “I try and hike up there every day. I’ve seen you before. A few times, actually.”

“Really?” She leans forward, sipping her tea slowly. “I zone out when I’m up on the trails. It’s been my only escape for years. I listen to the birds, the wind, the river rolling… it’s so peaceful. I guess I really do block everything else out, because I think I’d have remembered you.”

I wonder if that’s a good thing.

“Why do you need the escape?” I press again, desperate to know more about her. “Like I said, I suck at this stuff, but I’m not so bad a listener… so long as I’ve got a donut in my hand,” I say as I bite into the jelly filled one I grabbed from the counter with coffee.

She rolls her eyes and bites back a smile. “You think you’re funny, don’t you?”

“I like that smile. So whatever I said, I’ll say it again.” I glance toward her. “Come on… tell me all those things you’ve been bottling up. You never know… might help.”

Her chest rises slowly as she takes a deep breath and glances toward me. The look is shy and reserved, as though she’s a scared kitten afraid to come out of her box. I don’t know this man or what he did to her, but I hate him all the same. “I’m surprised you haven’t recognized my voice yet.”

Recognize her voice? Shit, please don’t tell me this was one of the blind dates that I tried out back in the day. That would be humiliating. Then again, I don’t think I’d have forgotten a woman like Daphne.

“Do I know you?”

“No.” She smiles and a wave of relief washes over me. “I do a morning show for Rugged Mountain Radio. I’ve been doing it for a few years.”

“So you’re a local celebrity? I had no idea. Sorry, I don’t listen to the radio much. If I do, it’s the seventies station. I miss the days when polyester was a personality trait. What kind of show do you do?”

“It’s a relationship advice show.” She rings her finger around the top of her teacup, spontaneous tears welling in her eyes. “I feel like a fraud.”

Something inside of me ignites the same way it did earlier when her asshole ex came rolling up the trail. I don’t want to see her in tears. I need to protect her, hold her, fix everything until she’s better again. “Why’s that?”

“I don’t know.” She brushes back a strand of silky red hair. “I spend all this time handing out advice to people about love and romance, and I’m not even sure I know what it is myself.”

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