Grumpy Protector Next Door

GRUMPY PROTECTOR NEXT DOOR ELLA SLOANE Copyright © 2023 by Ella Sloane All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. CONTENTS 1. Cassidy 2. Liam 3. Cassidy 4. Liam 5. Cassidy 6. Liam 7. Cassidy 8. Liam 9. Cassidy 10. Liam 11. Cassidy 12. Liam 13. Cassidy 14. Liam 15. Cassidy 16. Liam 17. Cassidy 18. Liam 19. Cassidy 20. Liam 21. Cassidy 22. Liam 23. Cassidy 24. Liam 25. Cassidy 26. Liam Epilogue Sneak Peek 1 CASSIDY I arrived in Aloma, Colorado just earlier today. After hitching a ride to the Callahan Ranch, I was dropped off at the main entrance and had to hoof it by foot for what felt like miles. It wasn’t really that far, but the blisters on my feet would say otherwise. When the beautiful two-story farmhouse came into view, I just about fell to my knees. I’m glad I didn’t because it would have made for one embarrassing moment. Heads turned my way, and it was as if everything came to a standstill the moment my arrival was noticed. “Great,” I sighed under my breath. I fisted my hand, and straightened, refusing to be intimidated. “You lost?” a young man asked, tipping his cap up to get a better look at me. They were all dressed the same. Jeans and a red shirt with the ranch logo embroidered on the lapel. “Uh,” I licked my dry lips, “I’m actually looking for Liam, Liam Callahan?” “He’s up in the main house,” another guy replied, pointing towards the house. I nodded my thanks and walked in that direction. I made it up the porch steps just as the front door opened. In front of me, stood the most attractive man I’d ever laid eyes on. He had the whole rugged cowboy thing going on. Tall, well-built with a broad chest and shoulders, strong arms and calloused hands. Short brown hair with stubble on his angular jaw and green eyes that reminded me of a forest after a rainstorm. For a moment, I was speechless. Seeing him reignited a spark in me that had fizzled out long ago. I don’t think I’ve ever reacted to a man in this way. Not even when I first met Gavin. He scowled at me from beneath a heavy set of brows and cleared his throat. I blinked and shook myself out of my stupor. “Can I help you?” He asked, his voice deep and a little rough. “I’m here about the job.” More scowling. He sure wasn’t the friendly type. I stuck my hand out and forced a smile. “Cassidy Donovan. My sister Hallie said she called you?” My hand dropped awkwardly when he didn’t reach for it. “Right.” It came out as a grumble. He took a step back, and I took that as an invite to walk in. My knee buckled as I stepped past the door. It had been a long day. I stumbled through the doorway and face planted right into his broad chest. Smooth, Cassidy. He caught my arms to steady me. I must have flinched enough for him to notice because he pulled his hands away pretty quickly. “Are you ok?” He asked as he released me from his grip. He didn’t grab me hard. Not like the way Gavin had done last week. Liam’s touch was different. Firm. Secure. “I’m ok. Sorry, I must be tired from the long walk.” I stammered out. I craned my neck to look up at him frowning down at me, his gaze intense. What a great first impression to make on my new boss. He rested his big, bear-paw hands on his hips, and slowly looked me up and down. I squirmed on my feet under that heavy gaze. He let out a breath, which reminded me of a bull. “I’m gonna be real honest with you, your sister didn’t give you a glowing recommendation, but I’m desperate. If you can clean and cook and operate a computer, the job’s yours.” I dropped my hand and was about to respond when he added, “You’d better be a fast learner too because I don’t have time to show you around right now.” I swallowed down the lump in my throat, and replied, “I can figure it out.” He dropped his head, and walked past me, which is when I remembered, “Wait, did Hallie tell you I need a place to stay, too?” I had no way of paying for a place of my own, and we were practically in the Colorado boonies. He stopped in his tracks and faced me. Slowly. “Come again?” He said with raised eyebrows. She didn’t tell him. “I have nowhere to stay. It’ll be just for a few days until I can figure something out.” My voice was barely above a whisper. I lifted my chin and dug as deep as I could for some kind of confidence. He scratched at his chin, looked away as if in deep thought, and then faced me. “Follow me.” * * * I hadn’t planned this very well. My great escape. I had thought about leaving my husband at least a hundred times. I went as far as to pack a bag and hide it away for when I had the courage to leave. I always chickened out when it came down to it. Gavin hadn’t always been so…harsh. He was always a bit of a control freak, but nothing like he was now. We’d had a few good years in the beginning, but then he got busier at work as an investment banker and the pressure to perform got the better of him. That’s when his true self began to show. It happened slowly in the beginning, The worst part is, I was gaslighted through it all. The