beginning to appreciate how important.”
Wary of his increasing attraction to her, Grant watched a breeze ripple Jami’s hair into flowing copper that danced away from her face and streamed over her slim shoulders. Her cameo profile turned as she continued to watch her son. She was so lovely, yet so stubborn. To think anyone could close a business dependent upon tourists at the height of tourist season. Grant shook his head, unable to let go of it.
Feeling his gaze, she peeked at him through her lashes. He was devastatingly masculine in a way that spoke to the female in her, no matter how she fought against the attraction. She could tell that he disapproved of her, but no one told her how to run her life. Or her business. Not Grant. Not even the devil himself. She chewed her bottom lip, recognizing Grant’s effect on her was nothing short of devilish.
“A deer!” Toby cried, launching off the log to sprint between the trees.
“Toby, no!” Jami called, scrambling up from the blanket as her little boy disappeared into the woods. She ran after Toby, but screeched to halt at the point where she had lost sight of him. She searched for him for several minutes, panic welling higher within her as she felt more helpless by the second.
Grant practically barreled into her, grabbing her shoulders before impact. “Don’t stop so fast. I nearly bull-dozed you.”
“Which way did he go?” she asked frantically, her amber eyes sparkling with unshed tears as she scanned the woods.
Grant stared down at her, mesmerized by her sudden vulnerability. “It’s okay. Toby can’t have gone far.”
“Okay?” Jami stared up at Grant. “My six-year-old is somewhere in these woods alone.”
Tension vibrated her barely controlled stance, sending a wave of protectiveness through Grant. He released his grip on her shoulders. “My voice carries well. I’ll call him.”
“Thank you. I don’t want him lost. Besides, I’m afraid of what trouble Toby will get into on his own in the woods. He has to explore everything around him and takes nothing at face value.”
“Like his mother?” Grant teased.
“My son’s getting farther away and closer to trouble every second.”
“But it’s so quiet with Toby gone.” Grant grinned at Jami.
She put her hands on her shapely hips. “Grant Carrington!”
“You win.” Grant cupped his hands around his mouth, his deep tones projecting easily as he hollered, “Hey, Toby! Toby, stop right where you are and yell back to us.”
“Mom? Grant?” came a small distinct voice, bringing a sigh of relief from Jami and a knowing grin from Grant.
“Toby, keep talking and stay put. We’re coming to get you.” Grant aimed Jami forward and guided her left, winding through the trees toward Toby’s chatter. Twigs whipped across her while weeds and vines tangled her feet as she stumbled through the brush with Grant grabbing her arm occasionally to steady her.
The moment they spotted Toby’s yellow shirt, Jami broke into a run. She threw her arms around her precious child, unmindful of the burrs, stickers, and twigs clinging to her jeans, and the scratches stinging her arms.
“Aw, Mom,” Toby protested, pushing his warm, sweaty body away from her. “Don’t get mushy.”
Grant stood by, observing the reunion with arms folded and mouth stern. “Toby, you broke the rules.”
“What rules?” the boy asked, squinting up at the towering man.
“Mountain rules.” Grant crouched down and pulled Toby to him. “These rules are very important. Okay?”
Toby nodded, gazing at Grant with a mixture of wonder and fear.
“First rule—don’t go off the trail. It’s easy to get lost and lose all sense of direction. Got it?”
“Yeah. Stay on the trail,” Toby muttered, none too happily.
“Don’t chase the wildlife. Don’t hike or swim alone—ever.” Grant waited for Toby to nod his head in agreement, then tousled the boy’s hair. “That’s enough for now. I’ll tell you the rest later. Let’s go clean up our picnic and head back to the lodge before Homer sends out a search party.”
“All right.” Toby’s brown eyes traveled from Grant to his mom. “You walk with me, Mom. We can follow Grant.” He slipped his warm hand in Jami’s. “Okay?”
“Sure, honey.” She suppressed a smile, knowing it was her son’s way of claiming her and keeping her with him instead of Grant.
With everyone pitching in to help, they were on their way in minutes, tracking down the trail with Grant in the lead. Jami tried not to notice how snugly the jeans clung to Grant’s neat behind, or how they accented his muscular thighs and long legs.