Daddy’s Wild Girl (Montana Daddies #16)

Chapter 7

7

G od, she was tired.

That skydive had been something else. She’d nearly pulled out, and only her sheer stubbornness had pushed her to go through with it.

In hindsight, maybe she should have listened to the voice in her head screaming at her to keep her feet firmly on the ground.

Yeah, that voice was smart.

Unlike Bebe.

And now she was feeling exhausted and vulnerable in front of two strangers. What was her dad thinking? Did he really believe she was in danger?

Bebe hated to think what two bodyguards for a month was costing him. But she was guessing with that money that she’d be able to renovate her kitchen and still have change.

When they reached her house, she forced herself to pretend everything was fine when she really wanted to crawl into bed and not come out for about a month.

Her right hand was trembling slightly. She knew that Corbin had noticed her wince earlier when he’d shaken it.

This was why having people live with her wasn’t smart.

Especially when they had more loyalty to her parents than her.

Urgh. Why did she agree to this?

Because if you hadn’t your dad would have canceled this tour.

And she wouldn’t have forgiven herself if he’d had to do that.

So now she had to have two strange men in her tiny house, which was in desperate need of a complete makeover.

Oh well, maybe they’d decide they couldn’t stay here and quit.

That would make her . . . a bit sad if she was honest.

Shoot. Was she so lonely she’d rather have two strangers in her house than be alone?

Bebe forced her tired butt up the stairs and unlocked her front door. She walked inside and they followed; each of them carrying a backpack and a large duffel bag.

She really didn’t think that looked like enough stuff for four weeks.

But, hey . . . what did she know?

“Welcome!” she said cheerfully as she turned to take in their faces. “Make yourselves at home. My house is your house. Do you want the grand tour?”

“Grand tour?” Hayes asked, stepping over the power saw she had in the hallway. She’d been cutting baseboards for the living room. And she probably should have cleaned up a bit better. “This place is . . . it’s . . .”

“A construction zone?” Corbin offered. “Are you sure it’s safe to live here while contractors work on your house? What about health and safety?”

“Ahh, well, I checked with the health and safety officer and they said it’s fine,” she said as she turned and walked into the kitchen.

She hadn’t attempted to tackle the kitchen yet. It was just too intimidating right now. And she thought she might need some help with it.

Actual, professional help.

Maybe.

“Who the heck is in charge of health and safety?” Hayes asked as he stepped into the kitchen.

It wasn’t original, thankfully, since the house had been built in 1922. But the kitchen had been updated sometime in the sixties . . . she thought.

The cabinets were this odd orange-red color and the countertop, which had once been white, was now turning a kind of brownish-creamish color. The oven had been updated in the sixties, too, and surprisingly, it still worked. Not that she could actually cook. There was no dishwasher, only a tiny space for a fridge, and the cold water didn’t work very well.

Hot worked great, though.

Almost too well.

“Well, that would be me,” she said, reaching into the fridge for three beers.

Both men shook their heads when she offered them.

Okay, just her, then.

She used the edge of the countertop to pop the lid off and took a sip.

Actually, maybe beer wasn’t the wisest choice on an upset stomach. When was the last time she’d eaten?

“You?” Hayes asked.

“Are you saying that you’ve been doing the renovations yourself?” Corbin asked.

“Yeah. That a problem?” She braced herself for their ridicule while trying to act like it didn’t matter to her.

Be casual.

What they think doesn’t affect you. It can’t hurt you.

Setting down her beer, she searched around in a cupboard and found a bag of Cheetos at the back.

Score!

Opening them, she took a handful before remembering her manners and offering them some. Again, they both shook their heads.

Their loss. More for her.

“That’s . . . that’s . . .” Hayes stumbled over his words.

“Ambitious,” Corbin said quickly. “And brave of you. I wouldn’t know where to start.”

Hmm, she got the feeling he was pretty good at anything he did.

“Well, online videos help a lot.”

“You . . . you’re doing this with online video help?” Hayes said in a strangled voice. “Please tell me you don’t do the electrical and plumbing yourself.”

“Okay. I won’t tell you that.” She had to bite her lip so she didn’t start laughing.

“None of us are staying here!” Hayes snapped.

“She’s joking,” Corbin told him. “Right, Bebe?”

She was chewing on a huge mouthful of Cheetos, so she just nodded.

Hayes eyed her suspiciously.

“Sorry the house is a bit of a mess. But it’s easier for me this way. I’m allergic to cleaning.”

Hayes mumbled something she couldn’t make out.

“I also can’t cook. So, you know, this is dinner and you might want to eat up.” She held out the bag of Cheetos to them.

“That is not dinner,” Corbin told her firmly. “And I know how to cook.”

“You do?” She gave him a delighted look. “Can you make lasagna?”

“Uh, sure.” He moved to the fridge and looked into it. “You’ve got creamer, cheese, and beer in here.”

“What? You can’t make lasagna from creamer, cheese and beer?” she asked.

“Well, you’ve got one of the major ingredients.”

“That’s the spirit!” She grinned at him. “I’ll go to the grocery store if you make me a list.”

“No, we’ll go,” Hayes told her. “I’ll come with you. Corbin, do you want to get started on the security system?”

“Uh, it’s after five,” she pointed out. “Aren’t you guys, like, off-duty or something?”

“We’re never really off-duty,” Corbin told her. “If you show us where we’re sleeping, I’ll get started on the shopping list. Afraid there’s not enough time for lasagna, though.”

“Bummer.”

“I’ll make a chicken salad and garlic bread.”

“Rock on.”