Liam's Anchor

by Donna Michaels

  After that, it had taken Stacy over ten minutes of hemming and hawing and a good bit of insisting to get them to go home and let her deal with the carload herself.

  The four of them had done more than enough, and she was truly grateful, but she also needed some alone time.

  Unfortunately, that wasn’t exactly how it’d gone down. Nope. She had gone down…right onto her butt, thanks to her box of romance novels, which had resulted in Liam showing up on her porch.

  The irony nearly made her laugh. Even now, her lips twitched.

  “I was going to ask if you were waiting long, Liam,” Trisha said, smiling at her brother. “But I’d rather know if there is something you want to tell us?”

  Stacy’s heart dropped to her stomach. Great. Was today going to be one of those days where people overheard her conversations at the worst possible moments?

  “No.” Liam shrugged, not in the least phased by his sister’s question.

  Brett chuckled, nodding at the guy. “Good for you, man. It’s a free country and nobody’s business if you have a fetish for little girl’s blankets. You didn’t need to hand it to Stacy.”

  Her laugh mixed with Trisha’s.

  Liam snorted. “Thanks. I appreciate you having my six.”

  Brett nodded. “Anytime. I know you’d do the same.”

  By now their little group was gaining attention from guests walking around them, as well as from nearby staff.

  Stacy sighed and waved the blanket. “It’s my niece, Reanna’s.”

  “Then how in the world did my brother end up with it?” Trisha asked, surprise overtaking the amusement in her blue eyes once again.

  I should’ve stayed in my cabin.

  Coming in to catch up on work she missed yesterday wasn’t worth it.

  She glanced at Liam to see if he was going to respond but his lifted brow told her otherwise.

  Whatever.

  “I brought it to him last night to make sure he was warm,” Stacy replied, noting that the pretty redhead with thick, natural waves and deep blue eyes didn’t resemble Liam all that much, except when grinning.

  Like now. They had the same smile.

  “That was mighty neighborly of you,” Brett said, shifting his attention to his fiancée. “Don’t you think, Trish?”

  Stacy shook her head as the other woman nodded.

  “No. It wasn’t like that,” she rushed to say. “Liam was on top of his covers, so I grabbed this blanket from my cabin to cover his…him…cover him.” She stopped before she said too much. Too late. She already had. Dammit. She glared at Liam. “You want to help me out here?”

  “No,” he said again with that nonchalant shrug and ghost of a grin. “You seem to be doing a good job of it.”

  She snorted despite her frustration. “Thanks for nothing.”

  “You’re welcome.” The light in his green eyes sent a ripple through her pulse.

  Brett chuckled. “Thanks for the laugh, Stacy. But you don’t have to explain. Finn told us about Liam’s hike yesterday, and the state he’d left him in.” He nodded to the guy. “Nice rescue job, by the way.”

  “Yeah,” Trisha said, cupping her brother’s shoulder.

  His injured one.

  Liam sucked in a breath.

  “Oh, my bad.” His sister removed her hand but continued to grin. “That’s for hanging poor Stacy out to dry.”

  She smiled at her friend. “Thanks. I appreciate you having my six.” She deliberately spouted Liam’s earlier words.

  “Anytime.” Trisha nodded. “I know you’d do the same.” The woman followed Stacy’s lead, using her fiancé’s earlier response.

  Brett chuckled. “Okay. I think it’s time we head to the buffet for some breakfast.”

  Trisha nodded again. “Sounds good. Thanks to you, I’m starved.”

  Liam muttered an oath with a twist to his lips. “TMI, Sis. I’d rather take another hit to my stitches.”

  “Aww, sorry, big brother. I didn’t realize you were so sensitive,” Trisha teased, swiping the blanket from Stacy to shove into a startled Liam’s arms. “Here’s your blanky. That should make you feel better.”

  “You’re a riot, Trish,” Liam grumbled.

  Brett grinned. “I agree. Good one, sweetheart,” he said, before nodding at Liam. “We’ll go grab a table.”

  “Roger that,” Liam replied. “I’ll be right there.”

  A smile curved Stacy’s lips as she watched the couple walking with their arms around each other. It was great to see them so happy. They deserved it.

  She yawned then blinked, realizing she was left standing alone with Liam again.

  Well, as alone as they could be in a semi-crowded lobby.

  “Rough night?” he asked.

  Her efforts to stop her body from responding to the concern in his gaze failed when warmth spread through her chest. Why was he still talking to her when it was obvious he was there to have breakfast with his sister and Brett?

  Although it was on the tip of her lips to deny it, she knew he’d see right through the lie, so she shrugged. “A little. But I’m sure tonight will be better.”

  At least, she hoped her mind would come to terms with her situation by then. She’d learned at an early age, if you didn’t roll with the punches, you’d be down for the count and never get up. Something her mother had inadvertently taught her by walking out, leaving her with a six year old sister and shattered father just two weeks before Stacy’s tenth birthday.

  “You did have a tough day yesterday,” he said. “I doubt you were the only one from your building who had trouble sleeping.”

  She nodded. He was probably right.

  “Try using this tonight,” he said, handing her the blanket again. “It helped me sleep straight through.”

  She smirked. “You passed out, Liam.”

  “Don’t sell yourself short. You helped,” he said, his gaze warm and earnest.

  Stacy had to fight to keep from swaying toward him. The urge to drop the blanket and press against his hard body was strong. Too strong. He smelled amazing. Like he’d just stepped out of the shower. The fresh scent transported her to happier times.

  His kindness and understanding confused her. This was the old Liam. The one she’d fallen for.

  The one who’d left on a mission and never returned.

  Never even said goodbye…

  Straightening her spine, she stepped back, and the fog of warmth dissipated, saving her from doing something stupid.

  “I’m glad you didn’t freeze,” she said.

  “So am I.”

  His candor brought a smile to her lips.

  He glanced down the hall toward the buffet entrance. “I should get going before Brett eats all the bacon.”

  “True.” She chuckled. “He does have a bacon obsession.”

  Once upon a time, she’d had an obsession—for the man’s kisses. But not anymore.

  That was her story and she was determined to stick to it.

  “Thanks again, Stacy,” Liam said before walking away.

  Something he was good at.

  ***

  It had been nearly two weeks since Stacy moved in next door. Two weeks of tossing and turning, knowing the sexy woman slept only a few yards away.

  Karma.

  The torture was deserved. Part of Liam’s penance for hurting her so much.

  He accepted that. Understood that. Hell, he welcomed it.

  But what he didn’t understand was why that wasn’t enough.

  Had he known the woman would attend the Thanksgiving dinner thrown at Rose Brennan’s, his sister’s soon-to-be mother-in-law’s, Liam would’ve sent his regrets.

  Instead, he suffered through dinner with Stacy seated directly across from him. It could’ve been worse, he told himself. She could’ve been next to him. At least he was spared the sweet torture of her proximity.

  His current circumstances were enough of a distraction. He couldn’t recall the taste of the turkey and trim
mings cooked by Rose and Clayton Bugsby—Stacy’s uncle. No doubt, they were amazing, but he’d eaten on autopilot, trying to resist the perfect view of Stacy’s beautiful face. The way her sweet lips curved when she smiled, and her eyes lit up when she laughed. The blush that crept into her face when he caught her watching him.

  For nearly two hours he sat there frustrated, pissed. Aroused. And pissed that he was aroused.

  Karma really was a bitch.

  Thankfully, his sister and Brett, Finn, his wife, Cammie, the twins’ widowed mother and her boyfriend, Terry, and Stacy’s uncle had kept the conversation flowing. Liam had contributed when necessary and noted Stacy had done the same.

  As pumpkin pies were sliced and distributed, Liam sat back in his chair and relaxed for the first time that afternoon. Now that dessert was being served, he was in the final hour. Despite his desire to leave, he refused to be rude and would wait until someone else was the first to go before he headed back to his cabin.

  “Mmm…this pie is amazing, Bugsby,” Cammie said, eagerly filling her fork with more.

  Liam nodded his agreement with the others. The flavorful burst of nutmeg and cinnamon woke his tastebuds as the amazing pie melted on his tongue. That one bite cemented his decision to have a second slice.

  “Thanks.” The man smiled. “But I was only responsible for the turkey and stuffing. My niece made the pies.”

  The attention of everyone at the table shifted focus to her.

  “Stacy? You made this?” Cammie asked, turning to the woman blushing next to her.

  “Yeah.” Stacy smiled, the color sweeping into her face deepened the gorgeous brown of her eyes. “I can’t cook, but I love to bake. It relaxes me.”

  “Well, it’s delicious, dear,” Rose Brennan said. “I’d love the recipe, if you’re willing to share.”

  “Yes. Of course.” Stacy’s blush increased.

  So did his pulse.

  Doing his best to ignore it, he finished his pie and filled his plate with another slice.

  “Liam, my boys gave me a tour of the addition at the guest ranch,” Rose said, admiration lifting her brows. “I can’t believe how much you have completed already. And it looks amazing.”

  He set his fork down and gave his host his full attention. “Thank you. My men work hard.”

  They did. Even the temporaries he’d hired locally. He set a daily mission—a schedule—and they followed it, barring any unforeseen issues. And those always arose. It was a natural occurrence in the construction field.

  “Did you learn construction after you left the Navy?” Bugsby asked.

  Liam shook his head. “No, before,” he replied, hoping that was the last question. He’d rather dance naked through a minefield than talk about himself.

  “Our grandfather had his own business,” Trisha added. “Liam used to work for him when he was in high school.”

  Part-time during the school year, then full-time over the summers. His father had wanted him to get a job to teach him responsibility and to earn money toward the car he wanted. But Liam suspected the real motive had been to show him that physical labor was hard, sometimes backbreaking work, and that it was far better to invest four years into a criminal justice degree, then another two at law school so he could work behind a desk or in a courtroom instead.

  Only it’d backfired.

  Liam had realized that the last thing he wanted was to be stuck indoors. He wasn’t his father. Those were his father’s goals. Not his. The only thing he liked about college had been playing football. High school had started his appreciation for teamwork and physically taxing his body, but college ball was far more intense. And gratifying. It had opened his eyes. Setting a goal then carrying it out as part of a team spoke to him.

  “But he stopped working for Grandpa Jennings during his first and only year at Texas A&M,” his sister said. “All his spare time went to the football team.”

  The room grew silent until someone dropped a fork onto a plate. The clanking echoed around them.

  “Holy shit, man. You played for Texas A&M?” Brett blinked at him. “Were you any good?”

  Finn snorted but Trisha’s was louder.

  “Of course.” She smirked. “My brother is good at whatever he does.”

  “He’s too stubborn not to be,” Stacy said, then flushed when she apparently realized she’d spoken out loud.

  Liam smiled and it increased when Finn spouted the Navy battle cry.

  Trisha laughed. “She’s got you pegged, big brother.”

  The woman had him much more than that, but he wasn’t going there. He wasn’t going to look at her, either.

  Until he did.

  Chapter Five

  Stacy’s cheeks were still pink, but her gaze was full of good humor and if it weren’t for the chair underneath him, her breathtaking beauty would’ve knocked him on his ass.

  “Yeah, that was dumb of me. You’d have to be good or you wouldn’t have made the team,” Brett said, bewilderment narrowing his gaze. “So, you gave up a possible football career for the Navy?”

  He shook his head. “No. For my country.”

  “Hooyah,” Finn said again.

  He was much more like his Navy veteran grandfather than his father, so on his nineteenth birthday, instead of getting ready for his sophomore year, he’d walked into the nearest Navy recruitment center and signed on the dotted line.

  To his father’s dismay and outrage.

  William Jennings had eventually come around though, and Liam knew his father was proud of his time in the service. Of course, having two younger brothers who’d actually gone into law helped. Colton was a corporate lawyer and Caleb had also enlisted in the Navy and was now part of JAG.

  “I noticed all the structures were under roof,” Terry Hawkins said, thankfully changing the subject. “Smart move.”

  Liam nodded. He and his workers had busted their asses since the end of August to get all the exterior work done on every structure since winter sometimes started in October in Colorado. But they’d gotten lucky because temperatures, for the most part, had been above freezing during the day until the past two weeks.

  “Much easier to work indoors during the winter months,” he said.

  Several chuckles sounded in the room.

  Brett grinned. “I’d imagine it’s tough to work with frozen fingers.”

  Among other things.

  “Absolutely.” He picked up his fork and continued to eat his pie, hoping the conversation would take the spotlight off him.

  For the next few minutes, the discussion shifted to the upcoming group of guests and subsequent activities that would resume, since the ranch was down to half of the staff due to the holiday. Liam’s crew was on holiday until next week, too.

  While everyone talked about things picking up full swing on Tuesday, Liam savored the remainder of his second piece of pie.

  After he finished, he swallowed the last of his coffee that had been served with dessert and was just setting the cup down when the conversation lulled.

  “So, Liam,” Terry began, a little twinkle lighting his eyes. “How are you at building arches?”

  He frowned. “What kind of arch? Interior?”

  He glanced around, noting absolutely nothing needed changing in the large, rustic log home.

  The man shook his head. “No. Outdoor. A temporary one.” Terry’s lips twitched as he stood and pulled a blushing Rose to her feet before sliding an arm around her. “The kind you get married under.”

  “Oh my God, are you two getting married?” Cammie jumped to her feet, followed by Finn, Brett, and Trisha.

  “Yes.” Rose grinned. “He proposed this morning.”

  Terry winked. “We’re going into town tomorrow so she can pick out an engagement ring as well as our wedding rings.”

  “That’s terrific.”

  “Congratulations.”

  “Finally.”

  “About time.”

  Rose’s boys and their significant ot
hers spouted at once, taking turns to hug the newly betrothed.

  Liam was on his feet as well as Stacy and her uncle. He glanced across the table to find Stacy smiling while blinking back tears, and the sight hit him like a sledgehammer to the gut. Inhaling, he forced his gaze back to his host and stepped forward to congratulate Rose and Terry.

  By the time the congratulations ceased, and everyone toasted the happy couple with a special wine Finn had procured through a door down the hall, they retook their seats.

  “So, Liam, back to my question,” Terry said. “Can you build us a temporary outdoor arch? We’d like to get married two weeks from tomorrow.”

  He fought back a grin. Damn, the guy moved fast.

  “Absolutely.” He nodded. “Just give me the dimensions and I’ll make it happen.”

  Rose aimed her happy smile at him. “Thank you so much, Liam. I’m sorry for the short notice.”

  “No problem,” he said, despite looming deadlines.

  For the most part, he set them so he could break them. But that shouldn’t be necessary because technically, he was ahead of schedule.

  They’d finished the new state-of-the-art stable and indoor riding ring in October. The addition at the main guest ranch would be done by Christmas. And the dozen specially equipped family cabins were on track to be finished in January. There was still plenty to do while waiting for the manufacturer to finish producing the lifts they’d special ordered for the cabin bathrooms.

  Liam had a second in command who oversaw all that. Roger knew the codes and permits required to install everything correctly. So as long as they received the equipment on schedule, then they could keep theirs.

  “Here’s a rough outline of what we want,” Terry said, sliding a piece a paper toward him.

  He glanced at the measurements and noted it wasn’t huge and was fairly straightforward. Hell, he could build and paint it himself in less than two hours. “No problem,” he repeated. “This won’t take all that long.”

  “Super.” Terry nodded.

  “Are you getting married here or at the guest ranch?” Stacy asked. “Either way, I’d love to help.”