Protector Daddy by Taryn Quinn

TWENTY-THREE

“Not now, Gillian.”I rushed through the kitchen, stacking to go trays on the stainless steel tables.

She stood almost too close, then slicked one long, wicked nail along her sharp cheek to tuck her hair behind her ear. She always made sure to highlight her dramatic eyes. Who the hell needed that much warpaint for work? Or perfume.

I would never understand women.

“Mason, we need to talk about the Christmas party.”

“No. That’s your job. You wanted it.” I’d been crazy to let her be the lead in planning our holiday party. I knew it was just her trying to suck up again. Gillian didn’t take no for an answer when it came to trying to get into my good graces.

Mostly because she wanted in my bed.

Which was not happening.

She’d been my lead hostess since The Mason Jar opened its doors and knew my restaurant inside and out. Unfortunately, it was for more nefarious reasons than simply being good at her job. No matter how many times I put her in her place, she still thought I’d was going to cave in.

The fact that she was unnaturally gorgeous meant she usually got away with whatever she wanted.

Except with me.

I was pretty sure she thought of me as a challenge. Which was horrifying and I really wished she’d pick someone else to pursue.

“I’m running late.”

“Let me help.” She set her iPad down and shot her shoulders back to push out her breasts.

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes—barely. “Please just make sure the front end is ready for the dinner rush.” I took out the cold cut tray I’d put together and set it on the table.

“But I need to go over the party details with you.”

I went around her, narrowly missing her as she turned to try and brush her chest against me. God, I was going to have to sit her down for a conversation again. I was not looking forward to it.

But that was not happening today.

“I gave you a budget and I trust your judgment.” About party planning, I finished in my head.

She crossed her arms over her chest. “You don’t care.”

I fisted my hands at my sides. I didn’t have time for a Gillian meltdown right now. “Of course I care. But I care about enjoying the party, not planning it. That’s why you’re doing it. And I know you’re going to do an amazing job.”

Mollified, she gave me a sharp smile. I was pretty sure there were razor edges to a few of her teeth. Especially the canines. The kind that indicated you’re my prey.

And man, I really did not want to be.

“Fine.” She looked at the deli tray and the box of rolls I’d pulled out. “Where are you going?”

“My brother’s. He’s having a little get together so a few of his friends can meet Caden.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Oh. The baby, right?”

“Yes, my nephew.”

“Right.” I saw the disinterest before she masked it under a smile. “I’m sure he’s beautiful. Or handsome, rather.”

“That he is.” And so freaking small. Terrifyingly tiny.

And I knew my soon to be sister-in-law was going to try to get me to hold him again.

My heart pounded so hard, I rushed back into the freezer for the ice cream cake I’d asked my pastry chef to make. I took a deep breath of the cold air until my face stopped flaming. It was fine. The baby was growing every day. Soon he wouldn’t be so…breakable.

I was fairly certain.

I came back out with the cake and hoped I didn’t look like I was sweating and ready for the defibrillator paddles.

Gillian played with her necklace, trying to drag my attention down to the vee of her shirt. “Speaking of the budget, could you give me a teensy bit more?”

“Nope. I already gave you extra for the Santa suit you want to rent. Now I really gotta go.”

“But—”

“Nope. Handle it or cut something else. Gotta go.” I grabbed a temperature control bag from our delivery shelf.

“You’re very unhelpful.”

I glanced at her with a raised brow. “You said you could handle the job.”

Her eyes flashed. “I can handle it.”

“Then do it.” I smiled at her as I tucked the trays and cake inside the bag with the rolls on top then grabbed the handles. “See ya tomorrow.”

Before someone else could ask me to put out a fire, make a decision, or call out, for fuck’s sake, I rushed out the back door to where my truck was parked. I checked my phone with one eye open.

Luckily, there was only one message from Jared.

Jared

You better not be making an excuse not to come tonight.

I’m actually just getting in my truck. Need anything?

Jared

Can you raid your ice machine?

I glanced at the cooler beside me full of beverages and three bags of ice.

Already done.

Jared

Then just yourself. Gotta go—the guys are already arriving. Hurry up.

I shook my head and tossed my phone into the console then started up my truck. Gavin Rossdale blasted out of my speakers as I rolled out and escaped through the delivery entrance. It was barely four p.m. and the sky was already streaked with pink as darkness crept over the lake.

The air was always cold off the water, but for mid-December, it was surprisingly temperate.

I wasn’t complaining. We’d already gotten a butt ton of snow in November and snow was in the forecast more than it wasn’t this time of year, thanks to lake effect. Right now, everything was nice and clear, which allowed me to enjoy a nice Sunday drive around the lake to my brother’s house.

It wasn’t far from my place so I couldn’t overthink the little person I had to face. And yet, I still was.

How could a baby be so small when he’d cooked for extra time inside of Gina?

My steering wheel squeaked under my grip.

“Re-fucking-lax,” I muttered to myself.

As I approached their extended drive, I saw three vehicles had arrived beyond my brother’s Jeep and Gina’s brand new SUV. A big beast of a black truck had pulled in just before me.

One of my brother’s officers stepped out. Christian Masterson—quiet dude. I didn’t know him very well. He tended to keep to himself from what I remembered.

He slammed his door and hustled around to the other side of the truck and opened the door. The dome light didn’t give me much to work with, but a halo of wild blond hair whipped up on the light breeze off the water.

Was that a smile on Christian’s face? Did he know how to do that?

He helped the woman out of the truck and my eyebrows shot up. I’d seen her somewhere...

“Oh, shit.”

Brady’s little sister. I didn’t make it into the bullpen that often over at the CCPD, but I was pretty sure it was Honey McNeill. She was also one of the new Dispatchers.

I averted my eyes when Christian went in for a rocking lip lock.

Tonight was getting more interesting by the minute.

I slid out of my truck and slammed the door. The way the two of them jumped apart made me smile. I went around my truck to muscle out the cooler. “Christian, think you can give me a hand with this?”

“What?” He gently eased Honey out of the passenger seat and seemed to be hovering over her.

I lifted the cooler.

“Right. Sure.” He stroked a hand down Honey’s hair and hustled over to me.

The guy was a damn giant. “Did all the Mastersons get extra helpings of muscles and height at birth?”

Christian’s lips quirked up at the corner. “Not all of us. Some are beanpoles and models.”

I laughed and handed him the cooler with only a minor grunt.

He, of course, took it as easily as if it was a paperweight. Sixty pounds of ice and cans was no problem for Gigantor.

“Need me to take anything else?”

“I’m good.”

He crossed the driveway with probably four strides. Honey was waiting for him by the door. She was twisting a gift bag in her hands with something plush and yellow sticking out from the top.

Damn, was I supposed to bring a gift? I supposed food would have to do.

Honey gave me a sweet smile as she held the door open.

As usual, my brother’s house was a welcoming haven. Mostly thanks to Gina. Before her, Jared’s place had been merely serviceable, with a little dog hair sprinkled for flavor.

Now it was lights and sounds. Christmas covered every square inch of the living room. From the ten foot tree decked out in half child-safe ornaments and half family heirlooms, to the colorful lights wreathing the tree and windows—it all said home. And a happy one at that.

Samantha was toddling around using legs and chairs to keep her steady on her pins. Since she’d started walking, she never stopped.

The sharp scent of enchiladas and fragrant empanadas made my stomach growl. Bonnie Ramos never came anywhere without food. Mine probably wasn’t necessary, but the animals from Jared’s cop shop were hearty eaters.

Case in point—Brady, Mav, and Van were fighting over the last of the seven layer dip. Dammit, that was one of my faves.

Bonnie came bustling in with another tray. “Watch out, you heathens. I’ve got more.”

“Yay. I’m feeding two-ish.” Van patted her still flat stomach. “If my blood runs green for guacamole, then I count it as a good day.”

I shook my head. “Hey, everyone.”

“More food!” Van rushed me with her overflowing plate. “What do you have?”

I stared down at her with a crooked smile. “Ice cream cake and a deli tray.”

Her lower lip stuck out. “Bah. I can’t have cold cuts. But I’m listening about the cake.”

My eyebrows shot up. “So the rumors are true?”

“You heard too? We are keeping some of the details on the downlow for a while except for family. Which part did you hear?” She shook her bouncy little pigtails that were knotted into fuzzy looking cupcakes just above each ear. “That I’ll be rockin’ a baby on board sign soon or that I’m very married?” She flashed a less than traditional sparkler on her left hand.

“I didn’t hear the married part.” I laughed. “Congrats. You beat Jared down the aisle.”

She gave me a brilliant smile. “Jay Oh Pee is good enough for me. Party TBD.”

I shook my head. “I gotta get the cake into the freezer.”

“Ice cream cake! Yes!”

I shouldered my way around Mav and Brady with a nod. They were too busy stuffing their faces. I found a spare slice of counter space in the kitchen and unloaded what I’d brought.

“You would think this would be too much food,” Bonnie grumbled.

“Not with this crew.” I leaned down and kissed the top of her head.

“Kayla sent over that vegan stuff she makes too. Somehow she makes it taste good. I’ll never understand it.”

I peered around for the telltale to go packaging from Sharkey’s. Erica and her husband Jake had expanded the old bar on the lake into a barbecue and restaurant. I’d steal away their chef, Kayla, if I could manage it. The girl was a wonder in the kitchen. Somehow she made vegan and carnivore fare with equal exceptional quality.

I spotted my favorite corn fritters and made a mental note to grab some before they were gone.

“You ready for retirement, Grandma?” I opened the freezer hoping for a spare inch, but I settled for putting the cake in the fridge. It wouldn’t be in there long enough to melt.

She preened. “I’ve been ready. Erica keeps me hopping with my grandson. And of course, Sam and my new angel, Caden will fill this old heart to bursting.”

“Old? C’mon.” I bumped her hip.

Bonnie was our resident workout queen. Ever since the yoga studio had opened, she’d traded her senior Zumba classes for a yoga mat and looked better than most twenty-year-olds.

She slapped my arm. “Not too old for you, charmer. And now that I’ve got two Dispatchers to train, they just might be able to cover one of me.”

I laughed. She wasn’t bragging. Bonnie had single-handedly kept the CCPD humming along for as long as I could remember. I set out the deli platter and rolls. “I better grab one of those empanadas before they’re gone.”

“There’s a line to hold Caden, so you better eat fast.”

I was good with that. There were plenty of people at this shindig who wanted a turn with the little bundle of seven pounds. Seven pounds. He was the size of a large puppy but infinitely more fragile.

Nope.

To distract myself, I filled a plate and made the rounds as I plowed through my plate of food. I hadn’t eaten all day. Sunday was paperwork and reset day since The Mason Jar was only open for dinner. Mav and Van were a welcome distraction as I listened to them bust Brady’s balls about being less than helpful during his daughter’s current ear infection.

The big, bad cop turned into a puddle when his daughter was sick. Or when she smiled at him. I’d witnessed that one firsthand. It was hard to believe a little person could tie so many men in this town into knots.

Then again, I was actively avoiding the newborn taking center stage by the Christmas tree, so who was I to say a damn thing. I was about to melt back into the forest of McNeills to hide when my brother zeroed in on me. He waved me over.

Jared was sitting on the arm of the loveseat where Gina was feeding the baby. A large blanket was draped over her shoulder for a bit of privacy.

I swallowed hard and straightened my shoulders. It was just a baby. And otherwise occupied so I didn’t have to hold him right now. It was perfect timing.

Then I could let all the ladies chomping at the bit for some baby time to take their turns.

Easy peasy.

“Unca Mase!” I heard the squeal before I felt the impact of Sami, my niece, hit me at the knees.

I set my mostly empty plate down and snickered when Lola snagged it and trotted off, tail wagging proudly. This little one, I could handle. I swooped up Sami and hooked her onto my hip. “What’s up, buttercup?”

She patted my face. “Cake.”

I winced at her sticky fingers. “How did you get into the cake already?”

“Unca Bray!”

“Typical.” All the cops were called uncle these days. Sami may have come into our lives without security, but she was thriving with all of us around her these days.

She bowed back. “Down!”

“Okay—” I caught her before she did some acrobatic freestyle leap and crouched to let her free. She was a cute one, had to give her that. Watching her zigzag around adults and make a beeline for Gina and the new baby made me tired. Sami climbed on a hassock to lift her own ‘baby’ into her arms and settle her in the crook of her arm—with a twisted head that I didn’t want to think about—to mirror her mom’s pose.

Gina smiled at her and reached out to brush her hand over her cap of disordered curls. The love in her eyes was staggering. What must it be like to be on the receiving end of that every day? Our own mother certainly didn’t have that kind of innate kindness. She’d split before I hit the one year mark.

“She’s in her no fear stage.”

I stood at my brother’s voice, shaking off the old memories. “She doing well with the new baby?”

Jared hooked his arm around my neck and dragged me toward the kitchen. “Obsessed is a word I’d use. She wants to be just like Bee. The baby she drags around is a little creepy though.”

“God, yes. First thing I thought. Its head is crooked.”

My brother snickered. “Yeah, it’s been banged on every surface in the house. And been in Lola’s mouth twice.” He sighed and I saw the tired around his eyes, but also a contentment that left a pang in my chest. “Tell me you have beer in the chest of drinks.”

“Duh. Some hard cider and beer, and soft drinks for those who can’t enjoy.”

“Bless you, my son.”

We passed Christian who had Honey on his lap as they stared at Gina. They were talking quietly, heads together as the big, usually stern cop held a protective hand along her mid-section.

Had the Cove struck again? What was it with the people of this town? Was it the town that created the baby fever or the people? Probably a mix of both. All I knew was that I would never have sex in this town.

I wasn’t going to take any damn chances even if it sounded ridiculous to anyone who didn’t live in our zip code.

Jared dug a local brewery IPA out of the chest and popped the tab. He took a long drink then sighed. “Good stuff.”

“You rarely drink.”

He shrugged. “Being the Chief, I’m usually on call no matter what, but Bonnie convinced me to take a week’s paternity leave. Christian and Brady have been stepping up to cover, and now that we have a new guy, things are a little less hectic.”

“Yeah, Jimmy, right?”

He nodded. “He’s a good guy. City cop, so I’m worried more that he’s too bored than if he’s good at his job.”

“He showed up for a drunk and disorderly call at the restaurant. Seems like a solid dude.”

“Yeah, we’re getting on track. Have another hire coming on board and I’m interviewing for a few part-timers to start before summer hits. We’re getting busier every year.”

I dug out a diet cola for myself. It had been a long day and a headache was brewing. “Because you people keep the baby boom at an unprecedented high.”

Jared grinned. “Speaking of, I have a question to ask.”

“Uh-oh.”

“Bee’s family is into the christening thing. We’ve never been overly religious, but it makes her family happy so I’m fine with it. Would you be Caden’s godfather?”

I paused with the can an inch from my lips. “Wow. Me? Don’t you think other people are more qualified for that kind of thing?”

Nerves jangled in my belly and I was a little shocked to see the can tremble.

Shit.

I set the can down and stuffed my hands in my pockets.

“It’s mostly a formality, but after Sami’s entry into my life, I really don’t want to take any chances. If something ever happens—”

“Don’t even say it.”

Jared hit me in the shoulder. “Again, it’s just a failsafe. The Ramos family will always have your back if anything ever truly happened to me, but I’m a cop. I need to make sure all my family is taken care of.”

I swallowed. “Of course. I mean, I’m honored.”

“I know it took some time for us to reconnect when you came back to town, but I’m really glad you did.” He grabbed me by the shoulder, dragging me in for a hard one-armed hug.

I hugged him back, my gaze landing on Gina with the baby now up on her shoulder. She was rubbing his teeny back and patting him expertly.

Life was a damn fragile thing. I only hoped I’d be good enough for them.

A commotion at the door had Jared slipping away. My father had arrived. He was a shy man who understood plants more than people, and I laughed as he got flustered when Bonnie bustled around him to take his coat and get him fed.

While everyone was fussing over my dad, I squared up my shoulders and forced myself to walk over to my soon to be sister-in-law.

I crouched down beside her. “How’re you, Gina?”

She gave me a soft, but tired smile. “Sore. Happy. Terrified. Ready to cry at a moment’s notice.”

I lightly touched the dark fluff of hair around Caden’s ear. “He’s beautiful.”

“Want to hold him?” She must have seen the terror I was having a hard time concealing. “You don’t have to.”

“He’s so damn small,” I whispered.

“He won’t break.”

“So you say. Your hands are smaller and prettier.”

She laughed as she turned him around. His little face bunched up and his tongue was definitely looking for something I couldn’t give him. But instead of pushing him on me, she set him in the crook of her arm and the baby instantly settled into sleep.

I touched his foot and the baby flexed his little toes. I tucked them back into the blanket she had him bundled in. “He’s so beautiful.”

“I know it. I can’t believe he’s finally here.” She lifted a hand to cup my face. “Jared was just as afraid to pick him up.”

“Yeah, well, my brother is a lot braver than I am.”

“You’d be surprised.” She closed her eyes and I could tell the new mom fatigue was hitting.

Sami hopped down off the hassock and handed me her baby.

This one I was pretty sure I could handle.

I sucked back a wince—maybe. It really was freaking creepy with its hair half matted and the other half possibly stuck together with drool or something else I didn’t want to name.

I gathered her and the creepy baby up and stood. “Let’s let Mommy get some rest.”

“Okay. I’m hungy.”

“Let’s get you a plate, huh?”

“Hot dogs!”

I laughed. “I think I can handle that.”

I glanced back at Gina who held her baby securely even in sleep. I’d definitely be ready to hold the little guy when he was just a little more sturdy.

I swung Sami around until she giggled and headed back to the kitchen to get her fed.

Dealing with food was one place I never doubted my competency.