Page 23 of Challenging Her Protector

She wasn’t ready to unpack why her stomach clenched every time Iron put her in the friend zone. He was the first to help her when she left that reception, not to mention saving her life. Both of those things, not to mention countless others, were impacting her feelings. Still, the connection she felt with Iron, the urge to be close to him wasn’t anything she’d ever experienced before.

As they walked back toward the other women, Iron cleared his throat. “Lock the door behind me while I’m out. I’m going to get you a spare key. That way you can come and go as you please.”

She stared at him, then realized her mouth was hanging open. “You’re gonna give me a key to your house?”

A ghost of a smile made his lips twitch. Watching the rare expression had her heart rate picking up. “Yeah. I am. See you in a bit.”

Iron grabbed his keys from a holder on the wall and quickly said goodbye to the women, making them promise not to make her uncomfortable.

Once Iron’s SUV had backed out of the driveway, it suddenly occurred to her that she was still in Iron’s shirt and sweatpants. She’d jumped out of bed and raced to the door without brushing her hair or teeth. She cringed and started to excuse herself when Brynn spoke.

“You’re good for him.” Brynn’s eyes twinkled. “I’ve only met Iron at Jacob’s baseball games, that’s my fiancé’s brother. He has cerebral palsy, and I was his nurse. That’s how Ransom and I met. Iron coaches and sponsors the team Jacob and Collin play on. Wait until you see Jacob’s smile when Iron pushes his chair around the bases.” A wide grin spread over Brynn’s face.

“Iron was telling me about the team. I’d love to help.” She smiled, keeping her lips closed tight as she remembered she’d failed to brush her teeth. “If you don’t mind waiting in the living room, I’m going to change. Then maybe we can go for a walk on the beach?”

“That sounds great.” Sam moved toward the couch. “I don’t think I’ll be taking strolls for much longer.” She chuckled and sat with her hands clasped lovingly over her belly. How must it feel to find a partner to go through life’s challenges with? To carry their baby? She nearly sighed with longing watching Sam, but then remembered they were waiting on her. She started to turn down the hallway, but Addy called her name. “You might find some useful things in here.”

She blinked quickly. “That really was so thoughtful of you.”

“We take care of each other,” Brynn said softly.

“And as we might’ve mentioned,” Sam said, “we were very excited to meet you and want you to feel welcome here. Like you have people you can lean on.”

“It must be something in the water here, because I’ve never been surrounded by so much kindness. Thank you so much.”

“Now go change so we can see Iron’s amazing beach.” Addy handed her the bags and raced down the hall to her bedroom. No, not hers, but Iron’s. She was just lucky enough that he was sharing it with her. Everything in Iron’s world seemed so liberated, not without its challenges, but like a hazy dream that she might wake up from at any moment. She’d made more decisions and choices in the last few days than she ever had in her whole life. It was a privilege to be so free, and even though she was far from independent, she was intoxicated by her newfound freedom. If this was a cruel dream, if the people weren’t as genuine as they seemed, it would break her heart.

She closed the bedroom door behind her and put the bags on top of her unmade bed. She’d have to work on that later. She didn’t want Iron to figure out that she was secretly a disaster. Not that she’d ever had the opportunity to pick up or clean by herself. God, what would Iron think if she told him she’d never done her own laundry before? He’d show her how. That was exactly what he’d do, and she really wanted to learn.

She tucked the thought of asking Iron to help her learn some basic skills away and started to sort through the bags. Her throat constricted with each thoughtful item she removed. Shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and clothing items. There was a pair of butter-soft jeans in her size. She pulled them on immediately, loving the way they clung to her body like a hug. Next, she put on a sports bra, T-shirt, and a hooded sweatshirt. After brushing her teeth and quickly washing her face she went back to the living room. She didn’t want to keep Hannah’s friends waiting.

“I can’t believe you bought all of that. For me. This is the coziest outfit I’ve ever worn. I might never take it off.”

“We’re a very casual group of people.” Addy smiled and took her hand. “Lead the way.” They walked out onto the back deck and the second she opened the screen door, a gust of saltwater air greeted her. She breathed the refreshing ocean mist deep. Sighed when the wind tangled and threaded through her hair. The path to the water was lined with swaying seagrass and the occasional piece of driftwood. She led them along, consciously trying to keep her pace slow for Sam.

“Let me know if I’m going to step on a crab or something, I can’t see my feet anymore,” Sam said, and the rest of the women laughed.

Being with them felt good and comfortable, but she also wanted to know how Iron was doing at the shop.

“So, if you’re going to help Iron coach the baseball team, does that mean you’re staying?” Brynn slipped off her sneakers and left them by the dunes as they moved closer to the bright, blue water.

“I want to be close to Hannah. I want to have a chance at a normal life. I don’t know what that will look like, but I guess I’ll figure that out as I go.”

“I think it’s fantastic,” Addy said. “Do you want to continue your career? Hannah mentioned you were a model and a social media influencer.”

“I don’t think I ever wanted that career. It was just something attainable. I want to find something that feels…more.” Putting her desire to do something meaningful into words was difficult, but the women around her were nodding readily, as though they understood just what she meant.

“This is incredible,” Sam sighed and looked out at the water.

“It’s beautiful,” she agreed. “And approachable, which is even better.”

“So are you.” Addy slipped her hand into Vivienne’s again. “I’m ashamed to admit I judged a book by its cover. I’ve never met someone famous before, and your social media profiles and ads made me make assumptions that just aren’t true. You’re warm and open. Beautiful, yes, but you’re also approachable. I owe you an apology.” Addy’s eyes swam with shame.

“You don’t owe me anything.” Vivienne laughed and tilted her head to the sun. “I’ve been judged by my looks my whole life. No one’s ever apologized for it, but I’m touched you’d consider my feelings.”

“We’re going to be great friends.” Brynn reached down to pick up a shell. “Ransom and I are getting married three weeks from now and I’d love for you and Iron to be there. Nothing fancy. Just a big, fun party surrounded by friends.”

“I… You would? Of course, I’d love to. Thank you for the invitation,” she stammered, caught off guard by the kind gesture. A wave lapped the shore and tossed a butterscotch-speckled shell at her feet. She instantly bent to lift it up and clasped the treasure in her hands.

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