Her Master Defender (The Masters Men Series) (11 page)

“I’m not supposed to know they’re all coming. Tres called to warn me.”

She turned toward the bathroom after his explanation, but again turned back. “Tres?”

“My other brother.” He waited for the usual oh how cute. As was starting to become a habit she surprised him.

“I won’t say it,” she said with a wink.

“Thank you,” Dos said, meaning it more than he had in a long time. He wasn’t in the mood for dealing with how cute his mother’s odd choice of names was today.

“I just want to brush my teeth. I’ll be out in a minute, okay?”

“That’s fine. Kismet and I will greet everyone.”

The dog sat beside him as if on command. Copper walked away shaking her head. A car door slammed out front and Kismet was off. His feet slipping on the hardwood floors, his bark echoed off the walls.

Dos walked to the door and punched in the security code. He took a deep breath, pasted a smile on his face, and told Kismet to stay before opening the door. “What’s this? I thought you said fishing.”

“The rods are in there somewhere if you want to go,” Ace said. “I think you’ll want some of the truck load of food Mom brought first.”

Their mother, all five foot three inches of her, followed by their step-father, walked toward the front door her arms open wide. “How’s my baby? Ace said you weren’t feeling well.”

Bending almost in half to hug her with one arm, Dos glared over her shoulder at his brother. “I had a headache, Mom, that’s all. I’m fine.”

Despite his words and his vow not to need anyone, it sure felt good to be wrapped in her arms. One thing his mother did very well was let you know she loved you.

“You look pale,” she said pulling back. “Some of your favorite foods will help with that. Let’s get out of the way so they can bring it in.”

Dos smiled down at her. Her blonde hair was just starting to gray, amazing considering she raised him and his brothers, not to mention his step-sisters. If she weren’t so smart she could be poster woman of the perfect petite, perky blondes of the world. She and his father were exact opposites. That had always made Dos wonder.

“Jamie,” Dos said shaking his step-father’s hand as he signaled with a palm in front of Kismet’s face reminding him to stay. He stepped back to let them both enter.

“Who’s this?” his mother asked as she stepped inside.

“The neighbor’s dog, she had some trouble last night and--"

“And this is the neighbor?” his mother’s voice asked, pulling Dos’ attention from the stoop to his main room. He heard the innuendo in her tone.

“Yes. Jean Collins, Copper Kerrigan.”

“Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Collins,” Copper said, walking over and offering her hand.

Dos wasn’t surprised when his mother hugged her instead. Copper was though. Her eyes were wide when they met his. He smiled, thankful for not being the center of attention for the moment.

“Pooh, on handshakes,” Jean said. “If you’re in Dos’ house, you’re family.”

“You’re too kind. We barely know each other, though.”

Shaking his head at her unrealized blunder Dos stepped closer. “She’s a neighbor, Mom, nothing else. She had some trouble at her house last night. I said she could stay here. That’s all.”

Jean patted Dos on the chest and smiled up at him, meaning she wasn’t buying a word of it. “Of course, you did. That’s what neighbors do. And since it appears you’re her only neighbor, if that house we passed on the way up is hers, it’s a good thing.”

“Yes, ma’am, that’s mine. I inherited it from my grandparents several years ago.”

“Oh, I’m sorry for your loss,” Jean said.

“It’s okay; I know they’re watching over me.”

Dos had wondered about her just happening to live near him. Hearing she’d inherited the place, and knowing the Colonel only knew his brothers’ addresses, not his cabin’s, he realized he’d been wrong. His mother turned and smiled up at him.

“She’s a sweet girl, Dos,” she said, then started directing the rest of the family much to his relief.

“Put the hot dish on the stove and the rest on the bar. We’ll have a breakfast buffet.”

His step-father shook his head. “Don’t bother, Dos. You know how she is when it comes to you boys. The sooner you give in, the sooner I can get her out of your hair.”

Grinning Dos nodded. Jamie understood the dynamics of the relationship. Their mother a little overprotective after their father had been killed; three boys desperately protective of their mother, but also on the verge of manhood, had made for an interesting household. Jamie, a quiet, thoughtful, accountant, spent a number of years calming the love and frustration filled waters of the original Masters’ clan.

“Nice man,” Copper said beside Dos.

“Yeah, he saved my mother from a life of heartache.”

“He’s concerned about you, too. I can see it in his eyes.”

“I’m not blind or uncaring, Copper. I just like to take care of myself. Jamie understands that.”

She rolled her eyes. “Men, you’re either babies acting as if you’re dying when you have the sniffles, or too macho to ask for help when you really need it.”

“Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m neither. I don’t wimp out when I get a cold, and I’m not being macho, there’s just nothing anyone can do for me. I’m fine.”

“God, save me from military men,” she grumbled beside him.

He knew Copper was frustrated with him, but she didn’t move away. Watching the familiar hive of activity he wondered if she felt half as out of place as he did. Having lived alone and far away the majority of the last ten years, and months kept captive, he found family gatherings too busy and loud. He glanced down at Copper as she turned quickly causing her hair to whip across his arm. Damn her hair was gorgeous.

“Who’s that?” she said, her voice sounding nervous.

Dos glanced out the window. “Relax, it’s Tres,” he said. “Only my brothers have the code to the gate.” He waited to see what her reaction would be when Tres stepped out of his truck. People who didn’t know all three of them were usually shocked.

“I should have known,” she said, when the youngest of the Masters triplets closed the door to his truck. “You and Ace answered too quickly when I asked if you were twins. Then catching the names earlier, I don’t know why I didn’t put it together. I should have realized it was a game for you.”

He should have known she wouldn’t react like most people. She had yet to do things the way he expected. “Yeah, well, boys will be boys.”

She walked with him to the door as Tres stepped through. To Dos it felt way too good to have her beside him. It felt like they’d been doing it for years. Remembering he didn’t want to do anything with anyone for years he took Tres’ hand and hugged him. “Thanks for the warning,” he said quietly.

“No problem. Looks like it’s a good thing I called.”

When Dos stepped back he saw his brother’s eyes trained on Copper. “Don’t even start, mom’s already tried. Copper, my brother, Tres.”

“Nice to meet you,” she said, when he offered his hand. “I’d like to say I’ve heard a lot about you, but I can’t. Dos doesn’t talk about anyone much.”

“Family trait I guess,” Tres said. “Well, from our father’s side anyway. Mom will tell you anything you want to know.”

“Great, now she’ll be pumping mom for information,” Dos grumbled, but Copper patted his arm.

“Don’t worry, soldier boy, I know all I need to know about you.”

“You two have known each other a while then?” Tres asked.

“We met yesterday,” they said at the same time.

Dos shifted his weight wrong and winced. Unfortunately, Copper noticed. Before he could glare at her not to say anything though, she covered for him diverting his brother’s attention.

“Why don’t we all get some of the delicious smelling food your mother brought and I’ll tell you about it.” She looped her arm in Tres’ and started toward the kitchen bar.

Dos mouthed thank you when she cast a narrow-eyed glance over her shoulder. She mouthed sit down and he grinned, but made his way to the table easing himself into a chair as his mother placed a heaping plate of food in front of him. Smiling, he said thanks and pretended to start eating. It wasn’t that he didn’t like his mother’s cooking, it was the best he’d ever known. He just couldn’t eat like this anymore, which was why he hadn’t regained his weight. A long difficult morning seemed to be his challenge for the day.

Copper thoroughly enjoyed the morning. After explaining how they met, she told them about the attempted break in at her house. Their concern for a stranger was touching; their love and enjoyment of each other even more so. She found herself remembering happy times around her family’s table when her father wasn’t deployed. Feeling more at home than she had in years she glanced at Dos.

Sitting next to him had proved difficult. Tension radiated off him in waves. She could tell it wasn’t because he didn’t love his family. His smiles and laughs were genuine, not to mention endearing. But he wasn’t comfortable.

Not that she could blame him. She noticed how his mother kept turning a concerned eye to him. Dos had toned down his hands off, I can take care of myself attitude, but not much. Copper was certain, given half a chance, Jean would be hovering like a mother hen. It was obvious Dos felt this was more than enough hovering.

While his brothers had seconds and thirds of pretty much everything, Dos didn’t even finish his first plate full. In fact, most of what was gone he had fed to Kismet lying on the floor between them. Thinking back to last night she realized he hadn’t eaten but half of his sandwich either. Her nurse training kicked in telling her a man his size should have a much healthier appetite.

He turned and caught her watching him. His head cocked to the side just a tad asking her why. Obviously he wasn’t going to or couldn’t eat all the food on his plate, but didn’t want his family to know. She decided to help.

“I was wondering if you were going to eat the rest of this baked French toast,” she said quietly. He’d barely eaten half of one piece and there were two more on his plate not to mention egg casserole and a potato pancake. The look of relief on his face almost made her laugh.

He motioned with his hand for her to take some.

She moved the toast to her plate as unobtrusively as possible while most of the crew was laughing at a story. After a few bites she knew she’d had enough. Standing she picked up both of their plates and headed for the kitchen.

“Mrs. Collins, that was delicious. I can’t remember the last time food tasted that good. Thank you.” Copper dumped the remnants of their plates in the disposal and flipped the switch. “Guess my eyes were bigger than my stomach,” she said, turning back to the table and smiling.

“Thank you, dear,” Jean said. “Don’t worry with cleaning up. The girls and I can take care of that.”

“I’ll take care of that,” Dos said.

Copper almost laughed at the argument to do dishes. Before it could go any further Dos’ cell phone rang. He looked at the display then at her.

“Did you call your father yet?”

Squinching her eyes closed, she shook her head. The ring of the phone now sounded like a fire alarm.

“We need to take this. Be back in a minute,” he said. “Yes, Colonel.”

Copper smiled apologies to the family as she followed Dos to the privacy of his bedroom. Great, now his mother would really think there was more to their relationship. She watched him, as he stood at the sliding glass door that lead to a deck. Closing the bedroom door she listened to make sure he didn’t tell her father anything about last night. All she heard were, yes sirs, and no sirs.

He didn’t move, but stood like a statue looking out. After another minute his head bowed. Whatever her father had said bothered Dos. Copper wondered what it could be as Dos’ silence ended.

“She’s here, sir,” he said and held the phone out to her.

“Hey, Dad, what’s up?” She half listened to her father’s questions and interrogation about why she was at Dos’ house. Her attention was focused on the man in front of her. Knowing to find anything out she would have to get off the phone she turned away from the distraction.

Sitting on the bed she told her father about the break in, and Dos’ offer to stay at his house until new locks could be put on hers. When her father told her that was a good idea she knew something bad had happened.

“Yeah, well, I won’t be here long. I’ll take care of the locks after we go down and sign the police report.” Continuing to watch Dos’ unmoving form she said goodbye and closed the phone.

“Dos?” she asked, walking up beside him at the window.

He looked down at her and Copper was shocked by the devastation there. Whatever her father told him, it had rocked the big man to his core. Worse than that, it seemed to have taken the life out of him.

“What did he say?” she asked, but before he could reply his eyes started to change. They widened before he squeezed them tightly closed.

“He won’t be -- Shit.” He turned and stepped toward the bed, but faltered.

Copper quickly caught him and helped him to sit on the edge of the bed. “Should I get Ace?”

“No.” The word was ground out between his teeth. He reached for the nightstand. His hand was shaking so much she doubted he would be able to open the drawer. She reached over.