The Gift (The Protectors Book 6), Page 2

  “Pure fluke.” Jack reached across the table and ate a fry.

  He might not be worried about where Claire’s imagination was heading, but Hannah was.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Brett kept his gaze on the blond elf moving through the crowded dance floor. He wasn’t interested in dating anyone, but that didn’t stop him from wondering who she was and where she’d come from.

  Mary-Beth grabbed hold of his hand. “This way.”

  He took one last look at the woman who’d landed in his arms before following his sister. He had more urgent things to think about, including Mary-Beth’s surprise.

  If there was one thing he hated, it was surprises. Growing up with an alcoholic father had changed him. When he was younger, Brett would pretend he lived in a normal family. But he didn’t know what ‘normal’ looked like. Normal for Brett and Mary-Beth was waking up to his dad yelling at their mom. Then there were the quiet mornings. The ones where they’d step around their dad’s semi-conscious body, check to make sure their mom was okay, before walking to school. Brett became an expert at making excuses. He had a list of reasons why his father couldn’t be part of their lives, why his mom only left the house to go to work and buy the groceries. Why no one came to any school events.

  When their parents divorced, everything should have been better. But the scars his father left behind ran deeper than anyone realized.

  “They’re over here,” Mary-Beth yelled.

  He looked in the direction she was pointing. His friend, Nathan, was sitting at a table with his brother and a woman he didn’t recognize. The jukebox changed to a slow dance and Brett breathed a sigh of relief. At least they’d be able to talk to each other without yelling across the table. When Mary-Beth stopped at the table, he shook Nathan’s hand.

  “Where’s Amy?”

  “Working. She’s hoping to get here after her shift finishes, but you know what the hospital is like.”

  Liam, Nathan’s older brother, stood and shook Brett’s hand. “It’s good to see you again.”

  Mary-Beth stood beside Liam and wrapped her hand around his arm. “Liam’s staying in Bozeman for another four weeks.”

  If that was supposed to make Brett feel better about what he thought was going on, it didn’t. Liam lived in Vancouver. As far as Brett knew, he flew back to Bozeman for Christmas and family celebrations, but that was it.

  He focused on his sister, surprised at how happy she looked. She’d met Liam a few months ago, but she hadn’t said they were more than friends.

  “What brings you to Montana?” Brett asked Liam.

  His gaze slipped to Mary-Beth. “I’ve come home for Christmas, but I also wanted to see your sister.”

  Mary-Beth pulled out a chair beside a woman with short, dark hair and big green eyes. “Brett, this is Jacinta Owens. Jacinta works with me.”

  Jacinta stood and held out her hand. “Hi. I hope you don’t mind me gate-crashing. I was supposed to meet a friend in town, but she’s not well.”

  Her southern twang took the edge off his sister’s meddling ways. “You’re not from around here?”

  Jacinta shook her head. “I’m originally from Georgia. I’ve been working in Bozeman for six months.”

  Mary-Beth tapped the back of the chair. “Sit here, Brett.”

  His eyebrows rose. “I’ll get us something to drink.”

  “I’ll go,” Liam said. “What would everyone like?”

  While Jacinta and Mary-Beth chose their drinks, Brett’s gaze drifted across the dance floor. Any sane, thirty-eight-year-old bachelor would enjoy sitting beside Jacinta. But all he could think about was a blond elf wearing the cutest pair of striped stockings he’d ever seen.

  ***

  The next morning, Hannah yawned as she hung a garland along the edge of a table. She wasn’t used to staying out so late, and one o’clock in the morning was way past her usual bed time. Decorating a room for a Christmas carol competition was the last thing she felt like doing.

  “That looks great,” her sister said from behind her. “After we bring the food through from the kitchen, we’re almost done.”

  Hannah straightened a reindeer decoration. “I’ll do that next. When are the choirs arriving?”

  Claire checked her watch. “In about fifteen minutes. The retirement village guests will be allowed through the front doors in half an hour.”

  “Do you remember what happened last Christmas?” Hannah grinned at her sister. The carol competition at the Brentwood Retirement Village had become one of the ‘must do’ activities in the residents’ social calendars. Last year, some guests had arrived with one of the choirs, taking the front tables before the main doors opened.

  “I’ve asked one of the staff to stand beside the back door,” Claire said as she added Christmas crackers to a table. “If anyone tries to sneak in, they’ll have to go to the back of the line and wait until everyone is seated.”

  “You’re so cruel.”

  “It’s better than having to calm sixty retirees down.”

  Hannah grabbed a handful of crackers out of Claire’s box. “It made the Christmas party memorable. Mr. Winthrop said he hadn’t had so much fun in years.”

  “I hope he sticks with the rules today. I’d hate to send him to the back of the line.”

  “He won’t mind. He’ll enjoy being the center of attention.” Mr. Winthrop was a sprightly eighty-seven years young. He had a wicked sense of humor and a cheeky grin—qualities that usually landed him in a lot of trouble. When she’d worked at the village, Mr. Winthrop had been one of Hannah’s favorite residents.

  She placed the last cracker on a table and headed toward the kitchen. She smiled as she lifted the first tiered plate off the counter. Three levels of cakes, cookies, and sugared treats would keep the sweetest tooth happy.

  Hannah re-read the instructions their caterer had left on the counter. The small pies and savories had to stay in the oven until the main doors opened. Other staff would refill the juice and water, then serve hot coffee and chocolate before the choirs arrived.

  She carried the cakes into the recreation room. Even though she couldn’t stop yawning, she knew the residents would enjoy themselves.

  ***

  Brett lifted Ida McConachie out of his truck and into her wheelchair. With fresh snow coating everything in sight, the retirement village wasn’t the easiest place to navigate around, especially if you didn’t have a vehicle.

  With Pat, Ida’s husband, walking beside him, he headed toward the recreation center. Ida had been a resident of Brentwood for two years. A sudden and unexpected stroke had left her unable to care for herself. At first, the doctors had been optimistic that she would regain some of her movement and speech. But as the days had dragged into months, there hadn’t been much improvement. Pat had tried looking after Ida at home, but it had been too difficult. Instead, he drove into town three times a week to spend time with her.

  “Do you remember the first Christmas Brett had with us, Ida?”

  Ida slowly nodded. She couldn’t talk, but she knew what was going on around her.

  “He wasn’t much younger than our Stevie,” Pat added. “He was such a lost soul, but look at him now. Thirty-eight years old and still happy to spend Christmas with us.”

  Brett forced a smile onto his face. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” He loved Pat and Ida as if they were his own parents. They’d given him a home and seen something special in him that even he didn’t know was there.

  Brett slowed as an electric scooter whizzed past them. “Someone’s in a hurry.”

  “It’s because of the carol competition,” Pat said as he took a few deep breaths. “No one wants to be at the back of the room.”

  “Or miss the bribes coming their way,” Brett added. Each year, the battle of the Christmas choirs was held in the retirement village. Up to ten groups competed against each other, all vying for the gold trophy. Bribery and corruption were rife. Gingerbread, Christmas cake, and chocolate
featured high on the giveaways each choir presented to their audience.

  Pat buried his hands in his jacket pockets. “There’s a rumor going around that the Groovy Grans have made a special batch of apple shortcake this year.”

  It was no wonder everyone was racing to get the best seats. Brett remembered their shortcake from last year, and it was good. “We’d better move a little faster, then. We don’t want you missing out on their shortcake, Ida.”

  Ida nodded and Brett patted her shoulder. As sad as it was to see her like this, she was still with them. And for that, he was incredibly grateful.

  ***

  Hannah rushed into the kitchen. “I thought the weather might make the residents stay at home.”

  Claire slid more mini fruit pies onto a plate. “Nothing would keep the residents away. How are the servers doing?”

  “They’re fine.” She picked up the pies and took a hot coffeepot off the counter. “The first choir is getting ready to perform. So far, everyone’s happy.”

  “Thank goodness for that. I’ll be out soon with more coffee.”

  Hannah pushed open the kitchen door with her shoulder. She smiled as she refilled coffee cups and joined in the residents’ light-hearted banter. For some of the people here, meeting their friends at meal times and during social events was the only time they talked to anyone. Hannah wanted to make sure their memories of today made them happy.

  Someone tapped her on the arm. “I’d love a refill of coffee if you have some to spare.”

  Hannah turned around and grinned. “Pat! It’s wonderful to see you.” She left the coffeepot on a table and hugged her friend. “I haven’t seen you in ages. Are you here with Ida?”

  Pat’s eyes filled with tears. “I am. It’s been a hard few months for her.”

  Hannah gently squeezed his hand. “She knows she’s loved. How are you?”

  “I’m getting old. My brain still thinks I’m in my forties, but my seventy-five-year-old body has other ideas.”

  “You look amazing to me,” Hannah whispered.

  “One of these days I might have to join Ida at the village, but my favorite nurse isn’t working here anymore.”

  “You could always find another favorite person.”

  “But she wouldn’t be you.”

  Hannah smiled. “You’re still as sweet as ever. Where is your beautiful wife?”

  Pat moved sideways and pointed to the next table over. “There’s my Ida. Brett is here, too.”

  She looked at where Pat was pointing. Hannah had never met Brett, but she’d heard a lot of good things about him. When she’d first met Ida, her husband drove into town almost every day to see her. As Pat’s health deteriorated, he hadn’t been able to come as often. But on the weekends, when Hannah wasn’t working, he’d driven into town with the man sitting beside Ida.

  Brett held a sandwich to Ida’s mouth.

  Hannah could only see one side of his face, but he looked like the man who’d saved her from falling on the floor last night. She picked up her coffeepot. “Lead the way, Pat. I’ll refill your cups before the choir competition starts.”

  By the time they made it to the table, the director of the retirement village was introducing the first choir.

  Hannah smiled when she saw who was sitting beside Ida. “You’re Brett?” she whispered.

  “And you must be Hannah, the nursing assistant Pat never stopped telling me about. Where has Santa’s elf gone?”

  Hannah looked at her green dress. “She’s at the North Pole. Would you like more coffee?”

  Brett picked up his cup. When that was full, he handed her Ida and Pat’s. “Thank you.”

  The heat of a blush hit her cheeks. “You’re welcome. It was nice meeting you again.” And before she did something stupid like melt on the spot, she walked away from their table.

  As the first notes of Silent Night filled the recreation room, all Hannah could think about was Brett. She tried to remember everything Pat had told her about him. She knew he’d moved to the Double Circle Ranch when he was a teenager. A few years later he’d left to travel the world. At some point, he’d come back to Bozeman and joined Pat on the ranch.

  She didn’t know much else and maybe she never would. Her sister would tell her to get her head out of the clouds and stop thinking about him. And as usual, Claire was right. Focusing on their business was more important than daydreaming about a cowboy with gray eyes. Even if he did have a wonderful smile.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Brett watched Hannah move from table to table. She smiled at each resident, refilled their coffee cups and made sure they were having a good time.

  For the first few months after Ida moved to the retirement village, all Pat talked about was his wife’s amazing nurse. A part of Brett had wanted to meet her, but instead of going into town with Pat, he’d visited Ida on the weekends when Hannah wasn’t there. There was always too much work to do on the ranch, too many reasons why meeting her would be a bad idea. From what Pat had said, Hannah had a big heart and a gentle soul. And above everything else, those were the two things that scared Brett the most.

  When Hannah left the retirement village to work with her sister, he’d breathed a sigh of relief. The chance of them ever meeting was almost zero—until last night.

  He’d often wondered what she looked like, but his imagination didn’t do her justice. She was one of the most beautiful women he’d ever met. Last night, her blond hair had curled around her shoulders. Today, she wore a tight, no-nonsense bun. But anyone looking into her bright blue eyes would see a whole lot of mischief lurking behind her smile.

  “She’s quite something, isn’t she,” Pat whispered from beside him.

  Another woman came out of the kitchen. She looked so similar to Hannah that they had to be sisters. “Who’s that?” he asked Pat.

  “Claire, Hannah’s sister.”

  “Ssh.” A woman beside them sent Brett an unimpressed glare. “I’m listening to the singing.”

  “Sorry,” Pat muttered. He sent Brett an apologetic grin. “I should have introduced you to Hannah years ago.”

  The woman cleared her throat and Pat shrugged.

  After the third Christmas carol finished, five choir members circulated through the audience with jelly donuts covered in chocolate sprinkles. The bribery had started.

  “You should ask her out,” Pat whispered to Brett.

  “Who?”

  “Hannah. You’ve got a lot in common.”

  “I doubt that,” he murmured.

  “You’d be surprised. Apart from knowing Ida and me, you both grew up in families that were less than ideal. You care about people.” Pat nodded to himself. “Being kind is the most important quality anyone can have.”

  Until he’d met Pat and Ida, kindness had been in short supply in Brett’s life. “I thought you said a cast-iron stomach and strong arms were all you needed.”

  Pat snorted. “That was before Mrs. Bennett saved us from my cooking. You should be thankful she took pity on us and decided to stay.”

  Brett placed his hand over his heart. “I am forever grateful.”

  “So, are you going to ask Hannah on a date?”

  “No.”

  “Why not?”

  “Apart from only just meeting her, you never give me time off work.”

  Pat held onto Ida’s hand. “One day you’re going to regret making all those excuses.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “If I believed that you wouldn’t be here. But don’t worry. I’m sure we can arrange something.”

  Brett didn’t like the look in Pat’s eyes. “Whatever you’re thinking won’t work.”

  “I wouldn’t be too sure about that. This old man still has a few tricks up his sleeve.”

  The next choir shuffled into place and burst into a colorful rendition of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.

  Brett glanced at Ida’s serene smile before turning toward the stage. Not only was Pat up t
o no good, but it looked as though his wife was in complete agreement with him. Brett needed to nip whatever they were planning in the bud. Otherwise, he might have some explaining to do to the ex-nursing assistant who had taken up residence in Pat and Ida’s hearts.

  ***

  Hannah closed the flap on another box of decorations. The carol competition had been a huge success. Thanks to the singers and their creative bribes, everyone had gone home happy and smiling. Brett, along with a few hardy souls, had stayed to help Claire and Hannah return the recreation center to its original condition.

  “What would you like me to do after the chairs have been put away?” he asked.

  “You could help me move some of the trestle tables into the storage room.”

  Brett frowned as she lifted a floor-mounted speaker off its bracket. “Do you want me to carry that?”

  “I’m okay. The cupboard where it belongs isn’t far away.” Once the speaker was safely stored away, Hannah returned to the main room. Two women waved goodbye.

  “Thank you for helping,” she said.

  “You’re welcome. We’re a little more mobile than some of the other residents.”

  Brett’s lips twitched as he rolled a table toward her. “Congratulations on organizing another memorable competition.”

  Hannah folded the legs on another table. “Thanks, but we didn’t do everything. The retirement village organized the choirs.”

  “How long have you been working with your sister?”

  “We started our company two years ago, but I’ve only been working full-time for about a year. When we began Perfect Staging, we still needed a regular income to pay our bills. Claire focused on our company. I worked part-time in the retirement village as well as helping to stage events.”

  “That must have been hard.”

  “Claire had the more stressful job. It took a while to build our client base and show people what we can do.”

  Brett rolled his table across the room. “How is business now?”