Bodyguard Bear (Bear Creek Protectors Book 1) Page 4

  “And what if he was an opportunist and I was in the wrong place at the wrong time?” She held out her hands and shrugged. “I don’t know who it was. I didn’t get a look at his face and likely wouldn’t recognize him if I crossed him in the street.”

  “That’s not the point.” Red slowed down as the others reached the restaurant and went inside. “What if he was an opportunist? What if he’s still an opportunist?”

  Her face paled. “And he picks someone else. You think I’m being selfish. That I should go to the police, so they are aware of the situation.” She nodded slowly. “You’re right.”

  “I’ll come with you. If you want me to.” He placed his hand on her arm and a jolt of static electricity hit him as he made contact with his mate. She felt it too and her eyes widened as they stood outside the restaurant looking at each other.

  Kate cleared her throat and stepped away from him. “I can go on my own.” She strode confidently toward the restaurant where bright light spilled out onto the sidewalk illuminating her face, which was filled with confusion. “But thank you for the offer.”

  “You’re welcome. And if you change your mind, just say the word and I’ll come with you. I am a witness after all.”

  With your tongue hanging out like a dog in need of water, his bear said wryly.

  Red ignored his bear as they entered the restaurant and joined the others at a table in the corner. He hadn’t been prepared for the reaction of the other diners. Somehow, he’d forgotten Carter Eden was a movie star. A famous movie star.

  “I should have worn a disguise,” Carter mumbled as he picked up the menu.

  “Could I have your autograph, please?” a young woman asked as she approached the table.

  “Sure.” Carter signed her napkin and then another diner came over. Handling himself like a true gentleman, Carter signed autograph after autograph, while the others made their selections from the menu.

  “One day you’ll be that famous,” Caroline told Kate. “And you’ll feel as if you are living in a goldfish bowl.”

  “I doubt I’ll ever be as famous as Carter,” Kate said as she peered out from behind the menu.

  “Do you enjoy acting?” Red asked. It was a stupid question, but he was struggling to think coherent thoughts with Kate seated so close to him. It didn’t help that Carter and Jamie kept throwing looks his way. Obviously, Caroline had told them Kate was his mate.

  Pity he hadn’t found the courage to tell Kate. Would she be mad that he was keeping this from her? Hell, how did you even tell someone something like this? He buried his thoughts in the menu as his stomach rumbled loudly. It was a long time since breakfast and he hadn’t eaten anything else today.

  “I’m going to powder my nose,” Caroline said and stood up to leave the table after they had ordered their meal.

  “I’ll come with you,” Kate said. Red shuffled his chair to the side, so she could leave her seat and accompany Caroline to the ladies’ room. He watched her go, his heart aching as if it were being ripped from his chest.

  “So she’s your mate.” Carter’s inquisition began as soon as the ladies were out of earshot.

  “Yes.”

  “Wow. How did you two meet? Just by chance on the street?” Jamie asked.

  “We met in the park,” Red told them, ready to keep the details to himself.

  “Romantic,” Carter said, sighing as the next autograph hunter approached. The conversation paused while he smiled, signed a young woman’s hand. She then handed her phone to Jamie, who took a photo of the young woman and Carter together.

  “Not really.” Red recalled the way Kate’s body trembled in his arms when he held her close after the guy chased her. His hand tightened around the napkin on the table and Carter glanced at Jamie, who raised his eyebrows.

  “Want to elaborate?” Jamie removed the napkin from Red’s hand.

  “Not really.” He shrugged. “I made a promise.”

  “A promise?” Carter’s eyebrows knitted together. “What happened, Red?”

  “If he made a promise to his mate, he isn’t going to tell us,” Jamie reminded Carter.

  “Okay. What if we guess?” Carter asked, his attention looking past Red to the door leading to the ladies’ room. “There’s a guy hanging around by the door.”

  “Perhaps he’s waiting for someone in there?” Jamie asked, but Red was already on his feet and striding toward the door. “Hey.”

  The man jerked his head around, took one look at Red and then made a run for it.

  “What the hell?!” Caroline said as she opened the door leading back into the restaurant and was nearly knocked off her feet by the man who ran out through the kitchens with Red hot on his heels.

  “Keep Kate safe.” Red dodged through the kitchen sliding around waiters with stunned faces and narrowly missing knocking a pan of hot water over the floor.

  Was this the guy who had been in the park? If so, had he followed them all the way along the street? Damn it, the guy must be suicidal to risk approaching Kate again when she was surrounded by people.

  Red crashed out of the kitchen and stood for a moment, looking right and left, trying to figure out where the guy had gone. He couldn’t just disappear into thin air. Could he?

  A shifter? His bear was right. If the guy had disappeared that fast, he must be a shifter. A bird shifter perhaps. Which made it almost impossible to keep Kate safe.

  Perhaps she would need a bodyguard after all. And he was just the man to take on the job. But he doubted she was going to like it.

  Chapter Five – Kate

  “Did you catch him?” Kate asked when Red arrived back at the table. He shook his head and her heart lurched in her chest at the thought of someone out there following her.

  “Did you get a good look at him?” Jamie asked. Their meals had arrived but none of them were eating.

  “Not really. He had his back to me.” Red sat down, his eyes fixed on Kate, and heat threaded through her body at the intensity of his stare. “But I’d recognize him again if I saw him.” He opened his mouth to say more and then stopped himself.

  “What?” she asked. Then realized the issue. She’d made him promise not to tell about the man who chased her in the park. That wasn’t fair, she was making him lie to his friends. “Was it the same man who was at the park?”

  “What man?” Caroline asked.

  “A man chased me. Red came along at just the right time.” She looked down at her hands clasped in front of her. “I made Red promise not to tell anyone.”

  “Why?” Carter asked softly.

  “Because I didn’t want to make a fuss.” Kate looked up at Carter. “I thought he might have been some random guy. Red persuaded me to go to the police, and I was going to, so that they are aware there’s a possible stalker hanging around.”

  “But now that he’s followed you here, there’s a good chance it wasn’t random.” Jamie’s voice carried both sympathy and concern.

  “That would be my conclusion,” Kate said miserably. “I have no idea who it could be. Space Monkeys is my first real big-budget movie. I’m not exactly famous.”

  “Honey, you don’t have to be famous to attract the wrong kind of person.” Caroline took hold of her hands. They were strong hands, comforting hands. Kate wished Caroline’s strength would rub off on her. “You didn’t do anything to deserve this. You are the innocent here.”

  “Caroline’s right.” Red’s voice was taut as he scanned the restaurant. “None of this is your fault. No matter what the reason this guy has for following you.”

  “I know. I’m a level-headed girl. These things happen, it’s part of the territory, just as Carter signing endless autographs and having selfies with fans is part of the territory. It’s what we signed up for when we took on this crazy career.” Kate would have said chose this crazy career, only she didn’t exactly choose it. It was thrust upon her and she would be forever thankful for the money she earned. It had pulled her and her mom up from rock bottom and
given them a more than comfortable life.

  But that didn’t mean she wasn’t entitled to want more from life than hotel rooms and movie sets. She had plans. Plans her mom was not going to like.

  “Was today the first time something like this happened?” Jamie asked, his voice calm and rational.

  Kate picked up her knife and fork and began to eat her food. The fries stuck in her throat, but she swallowed them down. The food would give her energy and make her feel better, and it also gave the others the signal it was okay to eat. She wasn’t about to flake out on them, she was strong enough to take whatever came her way.

  At least she hoped she was.

  However, she had no idea what this person wanted. It could be something as innocent as talking to her or asking for an autograph. Or… She swallowed down a piece of steak. What if he planned to harm her? Kidnap her and hold her for ransom. Or simply keep her for himself, forever.

  “Kate.” Red’s hand covered hers and she realized her knife was clattering against her plate.

  “I’m okay,” she assured them all again as she steadied her hand and pushed away her fears. She was safe here, surrounded by friends. Although she hardly knew them at all. Was she being manipulated in the same way her mom often manipulated her? Could she ever totally trust anyone without wondering if they had ulterior motives? “I just wish I knew who it was and what he wanted.”

  “You might never know,” Carter replied. “He still might not be connected to your career. He may be a local guy who saw you in the park. He may have followed us from the hotel…”

  “I suppose you're going to say I need a bodyguard.” She gave them an ironic smile.

  “Maybe. Maybe not.” Jamie glanced quickly at Red. “You didn’t see anything when you chased him out?”

  Red shook his head as he swallowed a mouthful of food. “It was as if he just flew away.”

  Caroline looked sharply at Jamie. “Maybe Red should stick close to Kate for a few days. Just to make sure the guy doesn’t show his face again.”

  “I’m okay, really,” Kate said, although she wasn’t so sure. If only she could shake the feeling that she’d been set up she would feel happier. But as she looked around the people seated at the table, she was certain they were not conspiring against her. And if they were, they deserved an award for their acting. They were totally believable.

  “I’ll take a room at the hotel,” Red agreed. He pulled out his cell phone and placed it on the table. “I’ll give you my number. If you need me…for anything, just call and I’ll be there for you.”

  “Thanks.” She took his number, knowing she wouldn’t call. Not unless she really needed him. Her body immediately responded, telling her she did need him, with every ounce of her being. What was wrong with her, why did she find Red so attractive? She’d only known him for a few hours. And she wasn’t the love at first sight kind, she was far too practical for that. Far too wary of how people could say one thing to your face and something totally different behind your back.

  “I’ll meet you in the morning. We can eat breakfast together and then go to the set in my car,” Carter offered. “One of us will be close by at all times.”

  “I’m sure I’ll be okay.” Kate could feel the walls closing in on her. She wanted freedom and it was being taken away from her, bit by bit, despite everyone’s good intentions. But Carter was right, she had to be sensible, which meant taking them up on the offer of protection.

  “Let us do this for you, Kate,” Caroline said. “You’re like one of the family and we wouldn’t forgive ourselves if something happened to you.”

  Kate smiled and nodded. “On one condition.”

  “Which is?” Red asked, his eyes dark as they gazed at her.

  “You let me pay for dinner.” It was the very least she could do, and she tilted her head back, her chin raised as if defying them to disagree. They didn’t, and she felt a little better about their offer to help.

  The conversation switched to the movie and the mood lightened. Carter told stories from the set and then Jamie, Red, and Caroline told Army stories. Next to them all, Kate felt kind of boring. She’d been sheltered from the outside world. Ever since her first acting job, when her mom realized Kate was their ticket to a better life, she’d been shielded from ordinary people. Once Kate got her first big paycheck, her mom had removed her from school and employed the best tutors Kate’s money could buy. Marylin effectively put a barrier between her daughter and the outside world. Always telling Kate it was for her own good.

  “Are you sure you all have to go back to Bear Creek in a couple of days?” Carter asked, taking Caroline’s hand at the end of the meal and looking into her eyes as if she were the most important thing in the world to him.

  Red looked down at his plate as if trying to decide what to say. He’d already said he was going to Bear Creek for work purposes. Kate didn’t like to admit it, but she sure wouldn’t mind if he hung around.

  “The kids have to go back to school,” Jamie said. “So does Dani.”

  Caroline drank her wine while holding Carter’s hand so tight the whites of her knuckles showed. Carter didn’t even notice. “That’s the joy of kids,” he commented and leaned forward, kissing Caroline on the cheek.

  “It is. Anyway, you’ll be home before you know it. And we’ll come back in a couple of weeks.” Caroline’s voice hitched with emotion. “You need your time here. You say acting is no longer in your blood, but you are a much better person to live with when you’ve had your movie fix.”

  “Until we’re apart and then I realize you are the only fix I need.” Carter wrapped his arm around Caroline and pulled her close, sharing an intimate moment with her, that none of the others at the table found embarrassing.

  “What do you do the rest of the time?” Red asked after Carter and Caroline broke their embrace and resumed eating.

  “Make beer,” Carter answered.

  “And drink beer,” Caroline added caustically, the closeness of the shared moment between husband and wife swept away.

  “It’s called quality control,” Carter said easily, winking at Caroline.

  “What made you decide to make your own beer?” Kate asked, trying to focus on a normal conversation, despite the prickling in her neck as if she were being watched and the tingling across her skin every time her fingers rubbed against Red’s.

  “I started brewing it when I lived on a mountain for a couple of years. I used the wild honey I harvested on the mountains to give the beer a distinctive taste. Maybe when the movie is over you can come visit Bear Creek and taste it for yourself.” Carter’s offer was tempting. Kate had promised herself some time off to think through her future. Even though she’d already made up her mind what her next career move was.

  “I’d like that,” Kate replied. “And you live in Bear Creek, Red. It sounds like a great town.”

  “Yes, I have a small apartment there. But between the Army and caring for my mom, I haven’t lived there for months.”

  “By the time I reach Bear Creek, you’ll have gotten used to all your old haunts again, I’m sure.” Kate was shamelessly digging for information on Red’s immediate plans.

  “I’m not sure, I may hang around here for a while longer.” He picked up his bottle of beer and took a long drink.

  “You aren’t driving back to Bear Creek with Caroline and Jamie?” Her heart thumped in her chest. Was he staying because of her? Or because he thought she needed protecting?

  “It can wait a couple of weeks.” Red looked up as something caught his eye. His body tensed, and he placed his beer down on the table as if preparing to get up.

  Jamie turned around, glancing around the restaurant. “Did you see something?”

  “I thought I did, but I was mistaken,” Red said as he settled back down in his seat, but he remained on edge, his eyes scanning the restaurant. She could imagine him out on patrol with his Army unit. Red was the kind of man you put your trust in, the kind of man who would never let yo
u down.

  If getting married and settling down was her thing, he would be the perfect choice for a husband and father. However, that wasn’t her dream. Not yet, not for a few more years. She had a life to lead, a new career to conquer. There was no room for love.

  A lump formed in her throat. She’d never felt so alone. At this moment, surrounded by good people who obviously loved and respected each other, she wished she was part of that instead of a spectator on the outside looking in.

  “We should get going and rescue Dani,” Jamie said, looking at his watch.

  “Your wife deserves a medal,” Caroline said as she gulped down the last of her wine and stood up, ready to leave.

  “She loves kids, you know that. To her, it’s nothing special.” Jamie gave Caroline a small smile. “Anyway, I told her you volunteered to stay in and look after them all tomorrow night so that Dani and I can enjoy an evening alone.”

  “You did not!” Caroline retorted. “You know I’m not that maternal.” A small number of diners stared at the group as they wove between tables, heading for the door.

  “You just need a little more practice,” Carter said, slipping his arm around his wife’s shoulders as they left the restaurant.

  “And a little help, husband.” She kissed his cheek.

  “Oh, not me, I’m a movie star, I have my fans to think of,” Carter insisted as he waved her away.

  Jamie chuckled as he walked next to Kate, who glanced up at him. “Did I miss something?”

  “I made the whole thing up,” Jamie admitted with a wide grin. “That’s what brothers and sisters do.”

  “I wouldn’t know,” Kate said sadly. “It’s always been just me and my mom.”

  “Wow, you and Red have that in common, too,” Jamie said, less than subtly.

  “You didn’t have a dad growing up?” Kate looked over her shoulder at Red, who took advantage of the wide sidewalk and moved to her other side. Sandwiched between two men, who were both ex-Army and able to look after themselves in a fight, she began to relax once more.