Christmas Bodyguard (9 page)

“I had to ask, though I agree. But it will be your call always. You have to proceed as if your life is in as much danger as Abbey's is.”

Elizabeth stopped outside Slade's closed office door. “I will. Danger is part of this job. I'm the best person to be here.” Because she couldn't see walking away—not when both Abbey's life and Slade's were in jeopardy.

“I'll let you know when I hear anything new.”

Elizabeth clicked off her cell and stuffed it into her front jean pocket, then went into the room, expecting to see her uncle with Slade. But Slade was the only one there.

“Where's Joshua?”

“He'll be here in a moment. He's talking to his partner
about Jay Wilson, the man who took plans for a new software program. How's Bosco settling in?”

“I can't pry him away from Abbey. He took to her immediately, and she to him.” Elizabeth settled her tired body on the soft cushion of the wing chair across from Slade's position on the couch. Until now she hadn't realized how weary she was. But the aftermath of the adrenaline rush that afternoon finally hit her.

“Which means she'll be wanting another dog after this.” Stacks of additional personnel folders that he had had delivered that morning instead of next Monday covered the coffee table in front of Slade. He closed the file he had been reading and put it back on top of the pile. “I'm glad we have some time before Joshua joins us. I've decided to call Kyra and have you taken off this assignment.”

The announcement stunned Elizabeth. Her mind blanked for a few seconds, as though someone had jumped her from behind, paralyzing her into inactivity. “Why?” She managed to keep her voice level, although she gripped the arms of the chair, her fingernails digging into the leather.

“I can't be responsible for something happening to you. You could have died today or been severely injured.”

“What do you think a bodyguard's job description is? Danger is part of every assignment I'm on.” She forced herself to ease the rigidity that held her and released her grip on the chair. Anger wouldn't make her point. Logic would. “Abbey and I have come to an understanding. Do you really have the luxury of looking for the right new bodyguard, then going through a period of adjustment? And if someone else had been in that car today, do you think they could have done any better job at controlling the situation than I did?”

“No, but—”

“I want to stay. I've never backed down from a challenge.
You need to face the fact that it makes sense to keep me in place. We don't know what this person has planned. You can't afford to risk a change at this time.”

With each logical reason she gave him, Slade's frown deepened until a nerve in his jawline twitched.

She leaned forward, her gaze drilling into his. “I'm good. Give me a chance.”

He wrenched his look away, staring at the closed blinds over the large window in the office. Behind the slats was a wall of darkness. That wall reminded him of how he'd felt when Catherine had died. He hadn't been able to protect her. He was concerned about his ability to protect his daughter and now Elizabeth, as well.

Lord, why are You doing this? What have I done wrong?

The office door opened, and Joshua entered. Surely her uncle would agree with him, but before he could put the question to the man, Elizabeth said, “Slade wants to remove me from this assignment because I might be in danger.”

Joshua took the other wing chair. “I'd advise against it. It would be a disruption in what we've done so far. We now know that Elizabeth and I aren't safe from an attempt so we'll be prepared. Besides, I taught my niece a lot of what she knows. She's capable of dealing with this situation in a professional way.”

“Every precaution has to be taken,” Slade said. He could never forgive himself if something happened to Elizabeth. Being attracted to her had complicated this. He needed to shut down his feelings for her.

“Of course. She's my niece.”

“Who happens to be in the same room.” Elizabeth crossed her legs, her mouth a tight slit.

“Point taken,” Joshua said with a chuckle. “I just got information about Jay Wilson's death. It looks like an
accident when he was cleaning his gun. There were some questions—murder was considered, and so was suicide. I've got a call in to the detective who investigated the death. He's gone for Thanksgiving and won't be back until Wednesday. I'd like to get his take on what happened. I'm having a hard time believing he had an accident while awaiting trial.”

“How about the others on the list?” Elizabeth bounced her leg, drawing Slade's attention. For a moment he didn't hear what Joshua was saying. Finally Slade dragged his gaze away from her and focused on Joshua.

“With Paula Addison still in prison, I think the only good suspect on that list we started with is Kevin Sharpe. His parents reported him a runaway a month ago.”

“We'll need a picture of him.” Elizabeth put both feet on the floor and rolled her shoulders.

“Done. I'll distribute the photo to all the security personnel at the ranch as well as your employees.”

“How's the search through these files going?”

Elizabeth's question drew Slade's attention to her again. A softness in her green eyes reminded him of new, tender leaves on a tree, something he always looked forward to in the spring. “Slow. Copies are with the police. Maybe they can come up with a suspect. I feel like I'm missing something.”

Elizabeth exchanged a look with Joshua. “We can help this evening, and anyone we single out, Joshua can pass on to Ted. He'll make sure attention is given to this case.”

Slade scooted forward and took a stack of folders, then passed them to Elizabeth. After giving Joshua his own pile, he said, “I think I'll put a pot of coffee on. This may take a while.”

“Sounds perfect to me.” Elizabeth rose. “And while you
are handling that, I'll go let Mary and Abbey know where I am.”

She walked beside him as he left his office. Images of what could have happened to her today taunted him as he watched her go up the staircase. At the top she glanced back at him, and his heartbeat kicked up a notch. The grin that flirted with the corners of her mouth underscored what he found so attractive about her. She had the most beautiful smile. It showed deep in her eyes and touched the cold place in his heart.

Hurrying toward the kitchen, he shook his head as though that would rid him of thoughts of the woman. Ever since he'd met her on Tuesday in Kyra's office, he hadn't been able to forget Elizabeth.

Five minutes later, he came into the foyer as Elizabeth descended the staircase, talking on her cell. Her face darkened with a frown as she listened to the caller. After she thanked Kyra for the information, she slid her phone back into her pocket. She looked up, her gaze homing in on him. The tiny lines between her eyebrows highlighted her concern. “What's wrong?”

“The Hendersons, who live across the street from Joshua, didn't have a plumber coming to their house today. In fact, they weren't even home.”

“What's that mean?”

“That the person in the Ferris Plumbing truck was probably the one who tampered with my car.”

“And you didn't see him.”

“No. I didn't even get a good look when he passed me on the street. The tinted glass hid a lot of him from view. I glimpsed a dark baseball cap, but that's all. It happened so fast.” Elizabeth finished descending the stairs. “Kyra called a contact at the police precinct and discovered the owner
had just called in one of his trucks as stolen. They haven't found it yet, but hopefully they will soon. She's having her friend check into it for any clues as to who might have stolen it. If she hears something back on that, she'll let me know.”

“Wouldn't it be nice if the person left a couple of fingerprints on the steering wheel—or, better yet, lost his wallet in the truck?”

Elizabeth laughed. “You're a dreamer. I should have realized that.”

“Why?” Her vanilla scent teased his senses, and it took all his concentration to focus on her answer.

“Because you started your company with a revolutionized computer chip that you came up with. You had a vision and made it a reality.”

“I never thought of it that way.”

“I'm a much more concrete person. I believe in facts.”

At the door into his office he turned toward her. “So I won't catch you dreaming?”

“No, wasted time.”

“You've never dreamed?”

“Sure, as a child. But I learned not to.” She pushed the door open and entered.

Her last statement sparked more questions, but one look at Elizabeth as she spoke to her uncle made it clear Slade wouldn't get any answers.

“T
hat's it for today. You all did great.” Spread out before Elizabeth in the exercise room were five teenage girls from the cheerleading squad and Abbey. Sweat beaded Elizabeth's forehead, and she took the towel slung around her neck to wipe it away. “Any questions?”

“When can we do this again?” Lily, breathing hard, brushed her long brown hair away from her face.

“Yeah,” several of the girls chimed in.

Elizabeth peered at Abbey. “That's your call.”

“I've got play practice after school all next week. How about next Sunday afternoon after the play is over with?”

“And in the meantime, you all can practice the moves I taught you.”

“I'm just glad to know what I can do if someone attacks me.” Lily ambled to her bag and picked up her bottled water next to it, then took a swig.

“Me, too,” Lindsay added, getting her drink.

“How many want to go riding?” Abbey asked, avoiding eye contact with Elizabeth.

Three of the girls declined because of other commitments, but Lindsay and Lily wanted to.

After the three teens grabbed their gear and left,
Elizabeth pulled Abbey to the side. “I don't think it's a good idea.”

“Why not? Your uncle has finished making this place like a prison. Guards are everywhere on the ranch. No one is expecting us to go riding. It wasn't planned. So what can go wrong? Today is beautiful, and I need to be outside in the fresh air.”

For a few seconds her brave front fell, and Elizabeth glimpsed a scared, vulnerable young woman. “We need to run this by your dad.”

“Please make him understand I need this. I haven't been out this whole holiday weekend, except to ride in the training ring. I didn't even go to church this morning. I want at least a little of my life back.”

The plea in her voice hammered at Elizabeth. She knew how hard all of this was for Abbey. “School is tomorrow. You'll be going there and to play practice afterwards.”

“Please talk to him about letting us ride today. We don't have to be gone long.”

“Okay, I'll talk with him.”

Elizabeth headed to the door. She knew how hard it was for someone to stay inside a house for days and days, especially a teenager who was used to doing a lot of activities. That was one of the reasons Joshua had expanded out from the house to secure the ranch as much as possible.

She found Slade on the couch in the den, reading some reports. She paused in the doorway, noting the tiny furrows between his eyebrows as he concentrated on what he was going over. His mouth formed a neutral slash. He jotted something down on the paper before him, then looked up.

His gray eyes brightened. “How was the tae kwon do lesson?”

“Productive.”

“Good. I liked your suggestion to teach Abbey and her girlfriends how to protect themselves. The more she knows, the better this dad is going to feel even after the scumbag threatening us is caught.”

Elizabeth crossed the den and sat in a chair near Slade. “Abbey wants to go riding with Lily and Lindsay. I told her I would ask you.”

“I'm gathering not in the training ring.”

She nodded.

“What do you think?”

Leaning forward, she rubbed her hands together. “That's a tough one. If I had my preference, she'd never leave this house, but I also know how hard that would be, especially with a headstrong teen like Abbey.” Behind her she heard someone coming into the room and twisted about to see Joshua entering.

“Abbey wants to go for a ride with her friends. What do you think, Joshua?” Slade placed his report on the coffee table in front of him and rose.

“It should be okay. All points along the exterior fence are being monitored.”

“Then, yes, Abbey can go, and I think I'll go along, too. A ride sounds good. I have to admit getting out of this house would be nice.” He slid his gaze from Joshua to her.

“How are you two on horses?”

“I was born in Texas. I learned to ride a horse before a bike,” Joshua said with a grin.

“Me, too.” Elizabeth pushed to her feet, actually glad they were all going on a ride.

“Then we'll meet in the foyer in fifteen.” Slade strode toward the exit, a spring to his gait.

“Are you okay with this?” Joshua asked after Slade disappeared from the den.

“Yeah. I have to admit that I'm looking forward to it,
too, and I know one young girl who will be ecstatic. I'd better go tell her the good news.”

But when she arrived at the exercise room, Slade had just finished telling Abbey, Lily and Lindsay. The smile that graced Abbey's face wiped any apprehension away for a few seconds. Then when Abbey threw her arms around her father and he hugged her, Elizabeth felt his decision had been right. Desperate people did stupid things. This would help Abbey deal some with her curtailed life.

“Dad, you're the best. We'll be ready.” Abbey spun on her heel toward her friends. “I've got some clothes you two can wear.”

En masse, the teens left the exercise room. Slade turned toward Elizabeth, his expression of joy melting her heart. “I wish I had my camera to capture that smile.” The distance between them shrank. “I can't believe I'm becoming as excited as my daughter. I haven't ridden in months. It'll be good to do it again.”

She started toward the hallway. “You live on a beautiful ranch and you haven't ridden lately? I'd be out there every day if possible.”

“Yeah, put that way it's kinda hard to believe. Working all the time has carried its price.”

Elizabeth slowed her pace and looked sideways at him. “Is that regret I'm hearing in your voice?”

“When Abbey was hurt in the car wreck and I was trying to help her, all I could think about was the time I'd wasted working and not getting to know my child.” He stopped at the bottom of the staircase and faced her. “You know, this situation has made me take a good, hard look at what my life has made me become.”

“And what is that?”

“A workaholic living in the past.” He put his foot on the
first step. “When all this is over with, I have some making up to do with my daughter.”

“Why wait?”

He halted, rotating enough so that his arm brushed against her. “You're right. There's no reason. We're largely confined to the house, the ranch.”

“You really are going to work here?”

“I thought I would go into the office at odd times—nothing scheduled—but mostly work from here. This past week, I've managed. I have good people in place over the different divisions of my company.”

“So you're going to rely on them.”

Surprise flitted across his face. “I guess I am.”

“Will that be easy for you?”

“No. I've always been a hands-on employer, but I'm finding I can't do it all. Other areas of my life suffer when I totally focus on my business.”

“I have a feeling your daughter will appreciate the shift.” She would have if her father had given her the love she'd wanted.

“I hope I'm not too late.”

She smiled. “It may not be a smooth road, but I don't think you're too late. I saw how Abbey responded in the exercise room.”

The girls, all seemingly talking at the same time, came down the hall and stopped at the top of the staircase.

“You aren't ready, Dad.”

He quirked a grin. “Five minutes.”

She and Slade hurried up the steps and down the corridor. At the door to her room she peered at him heading toward his suite with long, purposeful strides. He turned as though he sensed her looking at him. Her heart throbbed against her ribcage. The snare of his gaze trapped her for a long moment.

The sound of laughter from the foyer broke their visual connection, and Elizabeth quickly opened her door and slipped inside the room. Leaning back, she splayed her hand over her heart, its thudding finally decreasing. But the intensity in his eyes stayed with her as she pushed away from the door and rushed to get dressed.

 

Slade came up behind Elizabeth in the barn as she bent over to lift the saddle. She was petite, and in order to saddle the horse, she would have to swing the saddle up over her head. Not an easy task. “Do you need help?” He hurried to take it from her.

“I can manage.”

He ignored what she said and took the saddle. After swinging it over the back of the tall gelding, he fastened the cinch. When he faced Elizabeth, anger marked her expression.

“What part of ‘I can manage' do you not understand?”

“I thought I was…” The fury in her eyes scorched him and erased the rest of his words from his mind.

“You thought I couldn't do it. I have before and I could have now. When I need help, I'll ask.”

Who hurt her?
The furious independence he'd glimpsed these past five days piqued his curiosity. Something major must have caused it. He didn't know much about her outside of her professional credentials, and he suddenly realized he wanted to know more about her. Not just because she was the woman protecting the most important person to him, but because she genuinely interested him, all on her own.

After checking to make sure her saddle was how she wanted it, she glanced over her shoulder at him, then swung around toward him. “I'm sorry. That sounded harsh, and I
know you were only trying to help. But I lift weights, and I'm capable of lifting the saddle.”

“I get it. You know how to take care of yourself. Were you always this way?”

“What way?” she asked innocently, but there was a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“Furiously independently and capable of taking care of yourself. I think if you were stuck on a deserted island you'd be able to find a way to get by.”

“Actually, I took a survival course where they dropped me in the middle of a desolate place, although not an island, and I had to find my way back to civilization with one bottle of water and a knife.”

“How long did it take you?”

“Two days—and one of those days was cold and rainy.”

“And you paid to do that?”

“Twice in the past three years. It's a challenge, but nothing beats knowing you can survive off the land.”

“Remind me not to have you plan my vacation.”

“Do you take any?”

He chuckled. “That's a good point. Not since my wife died. She used to force me to go, and I would gripe for the first day and then have a great time.”

“You've got it bad.”

“What?”

“Working all the time.”

“At least my vacations aren't a test to see if I can survive off the land.”

“Yeah, because you don't take any.”

Amusement danced in her eyes, making the past week's events seem distant for a few minutes. His gaze zoomed in on her lips, and a constriction in his chest underscored the sight. He wanted to kiss her. That thought nearly bowled
him over. He should take a step back—actually stand clear across the barn from her—but for the life of him, he couldn't move.

In the background he heard Abbey talking to Brody and Jake coming in from the pasture with Cindy. But as far as he was concerned, he and Elizabeth were the only two that existed. He tore his gaze from her mouth and trekked upward to lock on her eyes, slightly wide, all amusement gone. In its place, a gentle light warmed their depths.

“Hey, Slade, Cindy and I would like to go riding with you all.”

His foreman's deep, gruff voice, filled with laughter, drenched him as though he'd dumped a bucket of freezing water over his head. Slade veiled his expression as he twisted toward Jake. Several long seconds later, he connected with the merriment in his friend's eyes, and heat rose in Slade's cheeks.

“Sure. We aren't going far. To the lake and back.”

While Elizabeth led her gelding out to the back and mounted, amazingly agile and with no help, he saddled his horse.

Jake kissed Cindy. “I'll get your mare and bring her outside.”

His wife smiled. “Thanks, honey. It'll be good to practice riding some more.”

Slade swung his attention away from the happily married couple and walked Ace of Spades, his black gelding, to where everyone was gathering to ride. Seeing Jake and Cindy together brought forward how much he missed having that kind of relationship with a woman. The casual touch or kiss, the silent communication conveyed in a look.

As he swung up into the saddle, the sunlight of an unusually warm November afternoon caught the gold of
his wedding band. He needed to accept Catherine's death and move on or he would probably never give his daughter the attention she needed.

But as he fell in beside Elizabeth, he knew that wasn't the only reason he wanted to move on. The woman next to him interested him. He intended to discover who had hurt her. Who had chiseled that independent streak into her heart? And would he be the one who could help her heal?

 

An hour and a half later, when Elizabeth returned to the main house with Slade, Abbey and Joshua, she saw stacks of plastic containers scattered in the foyer and overflowing into the den and living room. Cinnamon-scented candles perfumed the air along with the aroma of baking cookies. Strains of “Joy to the World” echoed through the house, thanks to a state-of-the-art sound system.

Abbey covered her mouth with her hand. “Oh, no, Gram has struck.”

Through the clear plastic of the crates, Elizabeth saw lots of red and green objects. Christmas decorations. Maybe she could escape to her room until the festivities were finished. Judging from the grin splitting Joshua's face, he would be fine with the decorating and could certainly protect both Abbey and Slade.

“This has been the first day without all the contractors and workers around lately,” Mary said as she came into the entry hall. “So are you all ready to decorate the house for Christmas?”

The cheerful words nudged memories of childhood holidays to the forefront of Elizabeth's mind. She didn't want to experience them again. She'd always been thankful Bryan didn't care much for Christmas except to get presents. He didn't even want to put up a tree. And then once
she'd become a Christian, she'd focused on the reason for Christmas, not everything else that went with it. Celebrating with Joshua had been a quiet affair because he'd known how she felt.