“Thanks, Imogen. Listen, if…” Kate was cut off by the director calling for them to take their paces.
“Ready to go, I hope, Kate,” Sam called, and they took their positions for the next shot.
As the camera panned around and then closed in on Kate, she was grateful Imogen was such a master at her job. As she spoke her lines, she slipped into character and tried not to think of her mom. Or the news she had to break.
For now, she intended to enjoy making Space Monkeys Four and hope the rest would take care of itself.
Chapter Two – Red
“Hey, Red, when did you get into town?” Jamie reached out and shook Red’s hand as the two men met in the lobby of the Wellsprings Hotel.
“About an hour ago.” Red hitched his backpack on his shoulder. He’d been on the road since mid-morning in an old truck that objected going anything over forty. He’d enjoyed the slow pace, the drivers behind him had not. “Thanks for inviting me over.”
Red needed a job. Not for the money, but because he was going insane with no routine and too much time on his hands. He’d left the Army when his mom got sick and there was no one else to care for her. It was one of the toughest decisions in his life. He loved everything about being part of the Army and leaving his squad had been a wrench. However, leaving the Army to care for his mom was also one of the easiest decisions in his life. She was his rock… He needed to start thinking of her in the past tense.
A lump formed in his throat. His other reason for needing a job was to keep his mind occupied so he didn’t keep picturing the mother he loved so much and who had raised him singlehandedly, lying in a bed taking her last breath.
“You okay?” Jamie asked gently. They knew each other from Army days when they were both young and carefree. But life crept up on you and carefree became a thing of the past.
“Yeah, just a little stir crazy. You know what it’s like.” He nodded, his back straight, his shoulders back.
“Relax a little.” Jamie looked around. They were standing facing each other in a busy hotel lobby, not a parade yard. Red rolled his shoulders and breathed in deeply, forcing himself to relax. “Do you want some coffee?”
“Sure.” Red accepted the offer although he was wired for action and caffeine was the last thing he needed. He needed to get a grip and learn to slow down if he was going to fit in with civilian life.
Jamie led him toward the restaurant, which was quiet since it was late afternoon. Making the most of the lull in diners, the waiting staff were slacking off talking, while still looking attentive. As Red and Jamie walked into the restaurant and looked for a table, a young man straightened his apron and approached them. Red was maybe a couple of years older, but a whole world apart from this easy, carefree man who smiled in welcome.
“Hello. A table for two?” he asked, his tone upbeat and friendly.
“Yes, please,” Jamie answered, and the young man escorted them to a table overlooking a pond, complete with a fountain that created a relaxing ambiance, while large, plump koi carp swam lazily around and around.
“Here’s the menu. I’ll give you a moment to take a look and then I’ll be back for your order.” The young man smiled and left them alone.
“Are you staying in this hotel?” Red asked as he perused the menu. What did people even eat in the afternoon? He folded the menu and set it down on the table.
“Decided already?” Jamie asked, his eyes skimming the page before him.
“I’ll just have coffee, thanks,” Red replied.
“Your stomach is still in Army mode.” He looked up at Red and then closed his menu. “Mine, too.” He set the menu down on the table. “It’s a hard habit to lose.”
“You’ve been out for a couple of years or more now, haven’t you? I’d have thought you would be a soft civilian by now.” Red eased back in his seat and clasped his hands over his rock-hard stomach muscles. Keeping in shape had been a good distraction from real life and his body was at its peak.
Jamie sighed. “I keep active, believe me. I have four kids, two of which are just learning to get into all kinds of mischief.”
“But you enjoy it.” Red wasn’t sure he would ever be ready to have kids. Perhaps if his mate came along, he might think differently. But she was nowhere to be seen.
“I do. But I’m ready for a challenge, which is why Caroline and I have decided to set up Bear Creek Protectors. With a little help from a couple of other guys. Literally, one of the founding members is named Guy.” Jamie chuckled as if he thought it was funny. Red’s sense of humor had deserted him since his mom’s illness, but he raised a smile.
“And you’re looking for recruits.” That was why Red was here. He’d heard about this new venture from a mutual friend, Craig, who had worked a couple of freelance jobs for Bear Creek Protectors. The pay was good, and the work was interesting. Depending on who you had to babysit.
“We are, although right now we are building our reputation, so the work is coming in slowly. Carter Eden is putting the word out among his showbiz friends. Once we pick up a few more clients, we expect our service to gain a lot of business through referrals. Believe me, people do not want to put their safety into the hands of someone not capable of taking care of themselves and their client. Actors take their security very seriously these days. With stalkers and all kinds of nutjobs out there.”
Red shook his head. “I would never have guessed Caroline would settle down with an actor.”
“I know, right?” Jamie chuckled. “At first I thought fate was having a laugh at their expense. But when you see them together you can tell they are perfect for each other.”
“What’s he like?”
“He’s a good guy. You’ll like him. He does a lot of work for charity and dotes on Caroline and the kids, like any self-respecting bear shifter should.” Jamie stopped talking and looked up as the young waiter approached. “Two coffees, please.”
The guy opened his mouth to reel off all the different types, but Red cut him off. “Americano.”
“Will there be anything else?” He collected the menus and looked from Jamie to Red with an air of expectation.
“No, that’s all, thank you.” Jamie nodded at him and watched him leave. “So what do you say?”
“I’m in. A least for the short-term.” Red was sold on the job even before Jamie started talking. Keeping people safe, protecting them, that was what he did. It’s what he enjoyed. And maybe, somewhere along the way, fate might decide it was his turn for happiness and a mate to share his life with.
“You don’t need any other information?” Jamie asked. “Hours you’ll be expected to work. Money?”
“As long as I don’t have to wipe some drunken actor’s backside, I’m good.” He looked down at his hands which were work-worn and calloused. “I just need something to occupy my mind.”
Jamie studied him for a moment. “It’s tough. Death. You’d think, as soldiers, with all we’ve seen, that we would be prepared for it. That we would handle it better, but we don’t, do we?”
Red shook his head. “Not one bit. Not when it’s one of your family. One of the people you joined the Army to protect.”
“It does get easier,” Jamie assured him as the waiter returned with their coffee.
“I know. I know this is the worst I’m going to feel. Which is why I want to give myself something new to focus on. Something I can redirect my energy toward. My brain needs a break from reliving those last moments over and over again.” He took a shuddering breath.
“Okay, well, we have some paperwork to fill in. But since I know you, we can forgo the references.” Jamie held out his hand to Red. “Welcome to the team.”
“Thanks.” Red clasped Jamie’s hand and then looked up as a smartly dressed woman approached. “Caroline.” Red got up and hugged Jamie’s sister as she reached the table.
“Good to see you, Red.” She looked down at her smart skirt suit. “Please tell me I don’t have drool on me.”
“You
don’t. Just a big orange sticker saying you support the puppies,” Red said as he let her go and Caroline patted the sticker on her lapel.
“I’m always a sucker for those animal charities. The guy was collecting for a new shelter outside the hotel.”
Red grinned. “He had the right idea, standing outside a hotel like this must be a good place to boost collections.” He stood back and looked at her. “You look good, civilian life suits you.”
“A mate and cubs around her feet suit her.” Jamie grinned at his sister. “I never thought I’d see you happy living in domestic bliss.”
“Carter isn’t the only one who is good at acting. I only pretend to like all that gooey lovey stuff.” Caroline smirked to let them know she was joking. Red remembered her tough exterior, but he also remembered the soft heart underneath it.
“Of course you do,” Jamie said and sprang to his feet to pull the chair out for her. “Let me.”
Caroline cast him a disapproving look. “What am I, the queen?” Red smothered a smile as she sat down and looked at the two lone coffee cups. “No cake?”
Jamie shook his head. “Real men don’t eat cake.”
Caroline glanced at him sideways while she got the attention of the waiter. “Real women do.”
“So how did it go?” Jamie asked his sister. “By the way, Red is our newest recruit.”
“Good to have you with us, Red.” The waiter approached the table. “Can I have a cappuccino and the gooiest chocolate cake on the menu, please?”
“Of course.” The waiter headed for the kitchen, leaving the three of them to talk.
“We have the job of escorting Jacinda Turner to an award show in two weeks. I think it’s a test run. Mr. Mortimer, her agent, wants some assurances we know what we’re doing.” Caroline’s eyes widened as the waiter approached with her order.
“And do we?” Red asked as Caroline picked up her fork and began to eat.
“We do. We have an expert working for us, Flint, but he’s stationed back in Bear Creek. If you have no other plans, you can travel back with me and Dani in a couple of days.”
“You don’t have room in your car,” Caroline reminded him.
Jamie cracked a grin. “You’re right. I need a bigger vehicle.”
“Four kids are a car full of trouble,” Red couldn’t imagine how busy life must be with that many kids.
“But a whole lot of fun.” Jamie looked the picture of contentment. “Becoming a dad was the best thing I ever did.”
“This is so good.” Caroline’s eyes closed in bliss and when she opened them again, she switched her attention back to Red. “How about you? No mate yet?”
“Nope. And I’m okay with that. I need some breathing space.” He drank his coffee, swallowing down the lump of emotion in his throat. “If we’re done, I should get going.”
“So soon?” Caroline said and slapped Jamie’s hand as he tried to take a piece of her cake. “Get your own.”
“I have to find somewhere to stay for the night.” He stood up. “When exactly do you go back to Bear Creek? I have an old truck I inherited. I can tag along when you go.”
“Three days. We’ve spent the last couple of days focusing on business, we all need some downtime.” Jamie leaned back and assessed Red. “We should get you some new clothes while we’re here, too. You need a couple of suits.”
“And some shades.” Red passed his hand over his eyes. “So no one sees what’s going on behind my eyes.”
“Or so you can’t see what you're dealing with when you have to wipe an actor’s backside.” Jamie winked at Red.
“I’m eating,” Caroline said sharply. Jamie laughed and opened his mouth to speak. “Don’t say another word.” She aimed her fork at his hand.
Jamie held his hands up in mock defeat. “I give in. I know when I’m beat.”
“I’ll speak to you tomorrow,” Red said as he lifted his backpack onto his shoulder.
“Talk tomorrow.” Jamie waved his hand at him, and Caroline waved her fork. As he walked away, Red could hear them talking together, brother and sister, so easy in each other’s company with so many shared life experiences.
Maybe the loss of his mom might have been easier if he’d had a sibling. Someone to reminisce with. A person with whom he could talk over the old days. Because if there was no one else there to remember with him, he would just forget.
With his mood darkening like the gathering dusk, Red left the restaurant and crossed the lobby. Eager to be outdoors, he pushed the door open and inhaled the cool air. The city smells mingled together to make a scent of their own. Take-out food, gas fumes…the perfume of a woman who walked past. Their eyes met briefly, and a smile spread across her face which he returned.
Maybe he should lose himself in a woman for a few hours. But that wasn’t his thing. Sex without a deep connection left him hollow inside. He turned away, breaking contact with her, and strode down the sidewalk. With no particular destination in mind, he let his thoughts wander until they settled on Jamie and Caroline and their lives of domestic bliss.
Perhaps he did want a slice of that. Unfortunately, it could not be forced. His perfect mate was out there somewhere, but he had to be patient. He couldn’t force it. But right now, he wished he could. He wanted to bury himself in images of the living, not the dead.
He walked through the streets, trying to lose himself in thought. However, his Army training would not let him. He noticed everything, from the six-foot-two guy arguing with his golden-haired girlfriend, to the elderly woman walking her Pomeranian. To the… Damn it. He needed to clear his head.
He crossed the street and headed toward the park a couple of blocks away. It was early evening on a late fall day, darkness crept across the city, just as a dark shadow passed across his mind. The park would soon be empty of all but a few stragglers. There he would find peace and quiet.
But with that peace and quiet came the memories.
He closed his eyes briefly. He couldn’t win. His mind was in turmoil. Perhaps when he got his first bodyguard job he’d learn to push the pain to one side until time and distance made it safe to recall those memories.
Chapter Three – Kate
Kate Kellan ducked under the low branches of a leafy bush, her heart hammering in her chest.
She’d come to the park to think. To put some distance between her and her mother.
Marylin had been waiting for her daughter when she returned to her hotel room. Kate didn’t bother to ask how she’d gotten into the room. Marylin Kellan had a way of always getting what she wanted. But not this time. When Marylin once again strongly suggested Kate quit the Space Monkeys movie, Kate told her in no uncertain terms it was none of her business. If Marylin hadn’t stormed out in disgust, Kate would also have told her mom that Space Monkeys was the last movie she was going to make.
But that argument was for another day. If Kate lived to see another day.
A twig snapped close by and Kate swung her head around to stare in the direction of the sound. However, in the gathering darkness, she couldn’t see anything, or anyone.
She wasn’t imagining it. There was someone there. Someone following her.
Kate closed her eyes and pulled her smartphone from her pocket. There was a signal, she could call the police. But she didn’t. As soon as she spoke into the mouthpiece she would give away her location to whoever was out there. If the person out there was even looking for her.
Perhaps she was overreacting. Or overacting. She smiled despite her dire predicament.
Taking a gulp of air, she held her breath and listened. There was no sound above the thunder of blood in her ears as her heart beat so hard she imagined anyone within a mile radius would hear it. As she let out her breath slowly, she stared into the shadowy gloom. No movement.
She was imagining the whole thing. How she would love that to be true.
However, she knew what she’d seen. A tall, shadowy figure in the trees, ghosting her movements. At first, she’d k
ept on walking, but each time she switched paths, the person did, too. When she increased her pace, he increased his pace. When she reached a path and turned back on herself, he’d followed through the trees.
Knowing she was too far from the street for anyone to hear her scream for help if she were attacked, she’d ducked to the right and sought the cover of the trees surrounding the lake in the center of the park. Hoping there might be someone there. No such luck. There was no other choice, she needed to hide and hope whoever it was gave up.
After zigzagging through the trees, she’d found the perfect hiding place in thick bushes. Parting the lower branches carefully, she’d slipped inside her newfound sanctuary. However, she soon realized being here might be a bad decision. It was the most obvious place to hide.
Using utmost stealth, Kate ducked down and crawled out from behind the bushes. Then she stood up very slowly, uncurling her body inch by inch until she stood straight. With a clear view of the surrounding area, she turned her head slowly, scanning the rest of the park. Nothing. But that didn’t mean something wasn’t out there. Something. Or, more likely, someone.
Kate flexed her muscles. She was fast. If she had to make a run for it, there was a good chance she could get away. If someone was really after her.
Only one way to find out.
She walked away from the cover of the trees, keeping her pace steady as she scanned her immediate vicinity. By now the sun had fully set, and the park was left in shadows. Any one of those shadows could hide a person lying in wait.
Great, now she was making stalkers out of shadows.
Kate made it twenty feet away from the tree line before she allowed herself to relax. There was no movement around her. No sign of another living soul. She must have imagined it. At least she could use it as experience to make her acting more realistic.
Not that she planned to keep acting. Her mom’s face swam before her eyes, mouth open in disbelief as Kate told her she was quitting acting. Marylin was not going to like it. But Kate had made up her mind and this was her life.
Bodyguard Bear (Bear Creek Protectors Book 1) Page 2
