A Mail-Order Haven Read online

  "We hire you a bodyguard. The money would come out of the general fund from the mine, and they would stay with you for the duration of the mining operation, or until you decide to take option number one. The choice is yours." Sawyer held up his hands, as if there was nothing else he could do.

  Juliette's mind reeled over her options. She'd either lose her independence by moving in with another couple that would no doubt be sick of her company once the mine was cleared, or she'd lose her independence by having a man she didn't know, babysitting her. Neither option sounded ideal. "Do you truly believe we'll be in danger on our own?"

  Sawyer nodded. "There are too many other factors. Anything could happen, anything could go wrong. If we knew exactly when the information will leak, you'd be fine to be on your own. But these things tend to happen when you least expect it, and it's better to be prepared." Sawyer looked between Juliette and Willow. "I know this isn't ideal, and I'm sorry it has to happen. But we have to protect you."

  Logically, Juliette knew he was right. Two women alone would never be able to hold off determined, greedy men.

  Willow stepped forward. "I appreciate your concern. While I like to think I can take care of myself, this is actually more convenient for me. You see, I've decided to open up a new business, selling dresses." The rest of Ivan's brides cheered, knowing how talented she was. Willow blushed, pleased with their praise and support. She waved her hands to quiet everyone down. "I'll need to meet with my clients, measure them, order more fabrics, and all of that will be easier to do while I'm in town. Besides that, I'll be sewing my fingers off, so I shouldn't be in the way."

  Clara shook her head and stood, taking Willow's hand in hers. "You would never be in the way. I hope you'll stay with me, I'd love to have your company." She patted her rounded stomach unconsciously.

  Juliette hadn't realized that with Clara's time nearing, and being unable to leave the house more and more, she might be lonely. Juliette should've realized that before, should have stepped in and filled the need. She promised herself she'd be more aware in the future, especially as the others had their babies.

  Sawyer took the center of attention again as he smiled. "Congratulations, Willow. Everyone here is excited for you, and I'm assuming just the people in this room will keep you busy enough."

  Everyone laughed at Sawyer's joke, but Juliette saw the truth there. There were nine of them, let alone the other women in town. Willow would have her hands full.

  When the laughter died down, all eyes turned to Juliette. She tried not to squirm under the heavy gaze.

  "Juliette? What do you want to do?" Sawyer asked.

  Juliette realized she was twisting her skirts with her fingers and promptly let the fabric go. "I'm grateful for your protection, but I would rather stay in my own home."

  Before anyone could speak, Olivia put her hand on Juliette shoulder. "We understand, dear. I think most of us would choose the same thing." She gave her a reassuring squeeze.

  Sawyer nodded grimly and looked over at Ronan before saying, "We understand as well. I wish this wasn't necessary, but hopefully it'll be over soon. Anticipating your desire to stay in your home, Ronan already contacted a bodyguard and he's here in town."

  "You have?"

  Ronan spoke up then. "He was the first person I contacted after we made the discovery at the mine. Luckily, he was only a few towns over and able to come immediately."

  Juliette wondered what would've happened had she decided to stay with someone in town. But if the man had already been close by, it wouldn't have taken him too far out of his way.

  "That is lucky," she said softly, but deep down, she still wished for another option. "How do you know him?" Then a thought struck her. "Am I going to be safe with him? Besides Sylvia, we’ll we be alone at the house." She looked to both Sawyer and Ronan for an answer.

  Ronan nodded firmly. "I've known this man for a long time, and I know which skeletons are in his closet. Just to be certain, I had his background checked. He'll know how to keep you safe, and, more importantly, you can trust him. He'd never hurt a woman."

  Juliette didn't know what to think, but she trusted Ronan, and if he said she was able to trust this man, she would. Besides, what choice did she have?

  She took a deep breath, and nodded. "All right. I'm ready to meet him."

  "Okay." He looked to everyone in the room. "In the short term, this might be a little hard, but it's going to pay off. Soon, this is all going to be over. We just have to hang in there." A huge grin broke across his face. "Congratulations, everyone."

  Everyone clapped and cheered again, and a new round of embraces started, and while Juliette smiled and gave out hugs of her own, she couldn't help but wonder what her new guard was going to be like.

  Sawyer and Ronan came over to her. "I'm going to go get Devon now, if that's all right," Ronan said, leaving once he got her agreement.

  Sawyer rested a hand on her shoulder. "I'll be here the whole time as well. If you change your mind for any reason, or don't feel comfortable with him, we’ll send him away and figure something else out."

  Juliette was touched over how caring Ronan and Sawyer were. She wasn't either of their wives, she wasn't even family, but they were taking the time to look out for her, to care for her. Not even her own brother had done such a thing. "Thank you," she said softly. "I don't know what I would've done without both of you. Without everyone." She looked meaningfully to the others who were filing out of the room, their heads together as if they were conspiring how they would spend their money once the mine was cleared. A hollow ache filled her as she watched. That's what she wanted, someone to share things with. Soon, she'd have the means to go, to do anything she wanted. She just wished she didn't have to do them all alone.

  Chapter 2

  Devon MacAllister stared thoughtfully at the bank building across the street. He hadn't known the extent of what he was getting into when he'd agreed to Ronan's proposition. Ronan had discreetly informed him of the mine’s situation, and that he was needed to help protect a few of the owners for a period of time.

  But what Devon hadn’t known, was who he'd be guarding, and what kind of danger they'd be facing. He'd done this type of job before, though. When mother lodes were found, people needed security. He found it humorous that at one point in his life, he'd been on the other side. He’d been stealing from mines, and now he was the person defending them. He shook his head in amusement. Life was interesting like that.

  Ronan stepped out of the bank and flagged Devon down, motioning for him to enter the building. Before the meeting had taken place, several couples had entered, including both an unpaired blonde and brunette. He assumed they were all hearing about the good news, but it'd been impossible to tell which of the people he'd be guarding.

  His mind thought back to the brunette he'd seen walking alone. She looked familiar, and she'd intrigued him as he watched her, hidden from sight. He knew she'd felt his eyes on her.

  Because he was a predator. He didn't bother denying it. He might be a protector now, but that predator was still there, deep within him, wanting to break free, wanting to hunt. At one point, he'd given that side of him free rein, but no longer.

  He walked across the street, and nodded at Ronan in greeting. "What's the verdict?"

  "Willow, one of the women, decided to stay with someone in town, so you won't need to guard her. However, the other decided to remain in her home. She will be your client."

  "I'll be guarding a single woman? She isn't married?" He hadn't expected that. What kind of woman would agree to such an arrangement?

  Ronan crossed his arms. "That's right. You have a problem with that?"

  Devon arched a brow. "I'm surprised you don't have a problem with that. Or the lady, for that matter."

  Ronan stuck his tongue in his cheek. "I know you can be trusted, and that's just what I told her."

  "And what makes you think you can?" Devon asked, as though it were a dare.

  "Come on, Devon. I
learned about you years ago. It's the only reason you worked for me in the past."

  Devon wondered exactly how much Ronan knew. He didn't think he knew everything, but it was possible he'd found out enough. "And does the lady in question know my history?"

  Ronan rocked on his heels. "I haven't informed her, and as far as I see, she doesn't need to know. Unless you want her to, that is."

  "That won't be necessary. As you said, this is a temporary arrangement. I'll stay with her, protect her, and then get out of her life. There's no reason to get attached."

  Ronan smiled as if he had expected such an answer all along. "No reason, indeed." He jerked his head toward the back of the bank. "Your client is back there. There's a small possibility she might change her mind, but I don't think she will. Juliette, the woman you'll be protecting, has a mind of her own."

  Devin almost groaned. A woman with a mind of her own wasn’t the easiest person to protect. If he had to protect a single woman, couldn't she be a docile, quiet sort of person? It was always easier to protect someone who followed orders. "Lead on."

  "She has some reservations, so we told her the sheriff and I would be there while she met you."

  Devon shrugged. "Fine with me."

  After Devon agreed, Ronan led the way into the back area of the bank and opened the door, to what Devin assumed was an office.

  When he stepped inside, he saw who he presumed to be the town sheriff, and the dark-haired, familiar woman he'd watched earlier.

  Ronan took a step closer to her. "Juliette, this is Devon MacAllister, your guard."

  Brown eyes, the color of his favorite chocolate, studied him. He could see the intelligence there, could feel her evaluating him. He held still under her perusal, surprised when a spark of attraction lit between them. He coughed, hoping to diffuse the tension, or at least get his own body under control. Those were not appropriate feelings for a client. He tipped his hat. "Ma'am."

  "Sir." She lowered her head briefly in greeting. "Thank you for coming."

  "I'm glad I was available." He glanced to Ronan and the sheriff before looking back at her. "I was told you would need a bodyguard. Temporarily," he added.

  "That's true. I'm not keen on the idea, but Sheriff Morrison and Mr. Briggs convinced me it's necessary."

  Devon nodded. "They're right. They told me the basics of the situation, but in this, we're in full agreement. It's a very delicate time, and you're vulnerable. It would be foolish to leave you unprotected. Both for your sake, and the other owners of the mine."

  She arched her dark brow, and it reminded him of someone else, someone he couldn't put his finger on. "Indeed. Luckily, no one here is foolish enough to do that."

  Had he offended her? "Good. Well, I see no reason to talk about price. Ronan knows what it is, and he wouldn't have brought me here if he weren't willing to pay it. So—"

  "As a matter fact, it is necessary to discuss price. As much as I appreciate Ronan contacting you, you are working for me."

  Devon cocked his head and gave her his full attention. This woman didn't want to be taken care of. She was competent, confident in her own skills. It was sexy, but even more than that, he respected her for it. It was hard for a woman alone in this world, for women out west, especially. To survive, she'd need grit, and it appeared she had it in spades. "All right. You're the boss. I only referred to Ronan, since he brought me here, and I had no idea who I'd be guarding. But now that it's established, I'll bring my questions to you."

  Surprise brightened her eyes, but she dampened it quickly. He hadn't even looked to Ronan for confirmation, to get the okay for this change. Most men would've done so, but Devon wasn't most men. He didn't care who he worked for, man or woman. All he cared about was the money, that it was dangerous, and it was on the right side of the law. His lips pursed. There was some gray area to the last one, too.

  Juliette straightened. "Thank you. What do you charge for your services?"

  He rattled off his price, and she accepted quickly. "That settles that, then. Is there anything else you'd like to discuss?" he asked.

  She shifted uncomfortably, and he could tell she was trying not to look at Ronan or the sheriff. "What about sleeping arrangements?"

  "I'll be sleeping in the house," he said without hesitation. "Unfortunately, that's not negotiable." When she lifted her brow as if to say oh, really, he explained. "If I'm not sleeping in the house, someone could get by me. I'm not willing to take the chance. The only way I can protect you, is if I'm with you."

  Her eyes bugged out. "You'll be sleeping in my room?"

  He smothered the smile creeping onto his lips. "Sleeping in your room won't be necessary. If there's an extra room, I can sleep there. If not, I'll sleep by the fire."

  Her shoulders relaxed. "Oh. Well, that should be fine. There's two empty rooms upstairs, you can have your pick of either."

  "All right." He waited a moment to see if she would add anything else, but when she didn’t, he rocked back on his heels. "Shall we head to the house, or did you want to stay in town awhile longer?"

  "Oh." She chewed her bottom lip. "I guess it makes sense you'd start guarding me immediately. I just wasn't prepared for this. I didn't know twenty minutes ago that everything would change."

  He shrugged. "That's how life works, doesn't it? One moment you're heading in one direction, and then the road collapses, and you either have to find another way around or build a bridge."

  That spark of intelligence was back in her eyes, and he thought over what he'd said. Most people didn't describe life changes in that way, but he did. He'd had to rebuild himself. He could have said an explosion blew out the bridge he'd been traveling on, and it would have been as accurate as what had happened in his past.

  "I guess you're right. Life does change that quickly." She took a deep breath and looked at him resolutely, as if she were accepting her path. "Let's head home."

  But home was one place he'd never had.

  Chapter 3

  Juliette shifted in her saddle uncomfortably. She rode on occasion, but her discomfort had nothing to do with the broken-in leather beneath her. Instead, it had everything to do with the handsome, intimidating man riding next to her.

  She didn't know Devon MacAllister, but she knew what kind of man he was. Oh, she'd seen his type before, and she knew well enough that although he had a thin veneer of respectability, beneath that layer, he was dangerous.

  Her brother was cut from the same cloth. On the outside, handsome—charming, even. He could smooth-talk Scrooge out of his last dollar. That's what made him dangerous. He made you think you could trust him, then, when you least expected it, he'd strike.

  Juliette had no intention of letting Devon close enough to pull a similar maneuver. No matter her discomfort, it wouldn't last. They'd harvest the gold, the news would break, then things would die down. By then, she would have trained herself enough to protect herself and her property. She wouldn't need a bodyguard forever, even if she was single. She was capable and intelligent, and she had the skills necessary to survive on her own.

  In fact, she knew exactly what resource she'd use to get started. It was already waiting for her in her room.

  The house came into view, and she picked up speed, anxious to get started. When her mind latched on to something, when she had a goal, she pursued it relentlessly. It was one of the few things she and her brother had in common.

  Devon caught up with her easily, but she didn't glance at him. She wasn't planning on pretending like he wasn't there—she'd never do that—he was a person, and she would give him the respect due. But she was also smart enough to realize that the less attention she paid him, the better off she'd be.

  She dismounted in front of the house and pulled off her gloves, only thinking of the book on martial arts she intended to read. Luckily, Sylvia was home and would see to the horses. Juliette had given up arguing with her over it long ago, but in times like this, when she was focused, she was grateful for the housekeeper's insis
tence.

  "Wait." Devon reached out and circled her forearm with his fingers, stopping her progress toward the house.

  Juliette frowned at his touch. "Why?"

  He didn't release her. "It might not be safe."

  She raised her brows. "This is my home. It was safe this morning, and I'm sure it's still safe now."

  "You're probably right. But this is my job. I go in first, I make sure it's secure, and then you can enter."

  She shook her head in bewilderment. "You can't be serious."

  His grip loosened. "Oh, but I am. From this moment on, we're going to behave as though the news of the mine has already spread. Everyone is suspect, nowhere is safe, and every shadow will be investigated. You are my responsibility now, and I take my responsibilities very seriously."

  She sighed in exasperation. She could see his point. The news could break at any time, and they would never know when. It was better to be prepared, to be on guard, than to be caught unaware. Truly, she appreciated it, but right now, she didn't want the delay. "You're right. That is the logical thing to do, the safest. It may not be needed now, but at some point, it will be. Do you want me to stay right here?"

  He glanced to her mount. "Yes. And in future, I'd rather you stay on the horse. If there's a problem, you can ride away."

  "All right. I'll make sure I do that in the future."

  He gave her a final, brisk nod, and she realized he never doubted her agreement. She wanted to believe it was because he saw her as a rational woman, but she didn't think that was the case. More than anything, she suspected he was used to his orders being followed without question. Well, he would soon find out that wouldn't be the case with her. She would question him, push him, test him, until she was satisfied that it was the best course of action. She wasn't planning on handing her life over to her husband, so she sure wasn't going to hand over her life to a bodyguard.