The Bachelor's Unexpected Family. Lisa Carter

winced at the memory of the scorn in his voice. Was that how he viewed his mother? Fearful, unskilled and worst of all, boring?

      Shell-shocked at Pax’s sudden death, she’d retreated like a turtle into its protective cover. And she’d dragged Gray—against his will—in there with her.

      Was it already too late? She’d been disturbed by the anger in Gray’s voice. At his bitterness—toward her.

      In trying too hard to keep Gray safe, had she already lost her son? Would Pax recognize the woman she’d become? Did she even like the woman she’d become?

      She was tired of waking each morning to the all-consuming fear of what the new day could bring. She was drowning them both with her fears. She’d had such dreams before she married Pax.

      Dreams she’d surrendered gladly as they pursued Pax’s career. Dreams sublimated as the demands of being a wife and mother slowly eroded everything she used to be. Was it time to reach for those dreams again?

      Could she recapture the joyful young woman Pax had fallen in love with? Didn’t she owe it to Pax’s memory, to Gray and to herself to try?

      Perhaps she’d taken the first step out of her safety zone by joining the altar guild. As for Gray’s job with Canyon Collier?

      When the committee meeting adjourned, she detoured to the aquatic center work site before heading home. After a probing conversation with Sawyer Kole, she came to a decision.

      She was determined to face her fears. And to take back her life.

      * * *

      Fortified with a takeout bag stuffed with Long Johns, Canyon steered the Jeep toward one of the side streets, which meandered from the town square like spokes on a wheel. Heading north on Seaside Road, he blew past the entrance to the Duer inn.

      Past Pauline Crockett’s—she’d been the first farmer to give his business a chance. An old friend of his grandmother’s, and a true friend, word of mouth being everything in his business.

      He also bypassed the causeway leading out to Weston Clark’s renovated lighthouse. Bringing Kristina Montgomery to mind. And the inexplicable contempt she bore Canyon.

      Maybe not so inexplicable. Perhaps Jade was right. The Collier reputation continued to precede him. Always would.

      So when he pulled into the airfield and spotted Kristina and Gray on his doorstep, his gut sank. His hands throttled the wheel. If not Jade, then Kristina Montgomery might drive him to his knees. Or an early grave.

      “Who’s that?”

      Parking beside the Subaru, Canyon sat in the Jeep with Jade for a moment. “Next-door neighbors.”

      Might as well get this over with. He didn’t like how his heart thumped at the sight of the widow. Best to keep her at arm’s length.

      “She’s pretty.”

      Not a news flash, but at Jade’s wistful tone, he glanced at his niece. She could’ve benefited from someone like Kristina Montgomery in her life. Instead, she’d gotten Beech and Brandi.

      And now him. No wonder the kid was screwed up. A recurring theme in the Collier family tree.

      “Who’s the goofy boy?”

      Canyon shoved out of the Jeep. “His name’s Grayson. He’s not goofy. He’s a nice kid. Good with motors.” He grabbed Jade’s duffel from the backseat.

      She got out more slowly. “A geek, you mean.”

      Across the Jeep roof, he frowned at her. “Seeing as you’re not exactly drowning with friends, it wouldn’t hurt you to be nice. He could show you the ropes at school on Monday.”

      Her mouth flattened. “Who says I’m going to school on Monday?”

      Canyon slung the strap of the bag over his shoulder. “Me and Child Protective Services, that’s who.”

      She slammed the passenger door. “Like I’d hang out with a loser like him. Get real.”

      Her cynicism reminded Canyon of himself and Beech at that age. A defense mechanism. Or so he hoped.

      Despite her name, he prayed she wasn’t too jaded to be reached. That somehow Jade could yet be saved from the destructive path she was on. Although as he’d proven with her father, Canyon was the last one on earth who should mount a rescue.

      He headed toward mother and son, waiting on the steps of his office and living quarters. Leaving Jade to follow or not. Because not only could you not force a horse to drink, it was futile to lead them to water unless they were thirsty.

      But what did he know? He’d failed to save Beech from himself, and he’d probably fail Beech’s daughter, too. He’d never been anyone’s hero. Nor was he likely to be.

      Gray threw up his hand. “Hey, Canyon.”

      His mother’s lips thinned. At least Gray was pleased to see him.

      “Mom said she wanted to talk to you.”

      That sounded ominous. Probably to announce she’d reported him to the FAA.

      “And—” Gray smiled, looking beyond Canyon “—I wanted to say hello to Jade.”

      Kristina Montgomery shifted as she caught sight of his niece. He was aware of the impression Jade created. An impression he suspected she cultivated.

      The skinny black jeans. Beneath the leather jacket, the too-tight shirt exposing her midriff. An eyebrow ring. The magenta-streaked hair. Oh, and the five studs piercing one ear.

      Battle armor. He remembered it well. Donned to shock. Before the Guard had gotten hold of him.

      Gray’s mother stiffened as she got a good look. And something in his chest thundered. Was this the kind of reception Jade would receive from the rest of Kiptohanock?

      He positioned himself between Jade and the Montgomerys. Kristina’s gaze flitted to his. No one was more surprised by his sudden protectiveness than Canyon.

      Gray extended his hand. “I’m Gray. You’re Jade?”

      Probably without realizing it, Jade inched closer to Canyon. An unfamiliar pang shot through his chest. He broadened his shoulders.

      But Jade was nothing if not plucky on the uptake. “Only name I got. Try not to wear it out.”

      Gray smiled and let his hand drop, unoffended. “You were a little girl in the picture on Canyon’s desk.” His brown eyes shone with frank admiration. “You’ve grown up.”

      Kristina’s eyes ping-ponged between her son and Jade. No way she’d allow her precious offspring within ten feet of somebody like Jade. Or him.

      Disappointment dropped into his stomach like a lead weight. Though why he’d expected—hoped—for better from Kristina Montgomery, he didn’t know. Fact was, he didn’t know the widow at all.

      Nobody was going to give Jade a chance to remake herself.

      He ought to have realized that. Twenty years ago, he’d had to go off-Shore to receive his own fresh start. And for the first time, he regretted coming back to Kiptohanock. For Jade’s sake.

      Gray—bless him—wasn’t put off by his mother’s caution, nor repelled by Jade’s tough-girl persona. He reached for the duffel slung over Canyon’s shoulder. “Can I help? I’d love to tell Jade about school.”

      Jade stuck out her skinny hip. “I’m not going...” With one look at Canyon’s expression, she rolled her eyes. “Fine.” She marched up the steps to the office.

      At the door, she pivoted on her boot heel. “Are you coming or not, Gray?”

      Jade’s green eyes glinted at Gray’s mother. He gave his niece full credit for reading people. With a mother like Brandi, perhaps that was how she’d survived.

      But