Christmas Bodyguard (7 page)

Guards and upgraded camera systems were put on both the front gate and the second gate into the house compound. Cameras were hidden around the property and monitored by a security company twenty-four hours a day. The same with the ones in the foyer and other entrances into the house. Plans to have a safe room had been laid out and would also be started on Friday. By the time the weekend was over, this place would be like Fort Knox.

As a whole, that should make her job a little easier. At least when Abbey was in the house. Any other place and Elizabeth recognized the potential for trouble, especially
because the teen hadn't accepted that Elizabeth would be glued to her side anywhere other than home.

Inhaling a steadying breath, Elizabeth spied the first guests arriving for Thanksgiving dinner. The Colemans—Jake, Cindy and Brody. Yesterday while riding in the training ring, the young wrangler had managed to come into the building and watch Abbey ride. He'd planted himself in the shadows by the back door, but she'd seen him intently watching Abbey. The most alarming thing was that the teenage boy had a sealed juvenile record. Something had happened in Houston right before he'd come to the ranch to live with his older brother. She hadn't had a chance to talk to Slade about what Kyra had discovered from one of her contacts, but Elizabeth needed to. Until then, she'd have to keep a close eye on the eighteen-year-old, even if Jake was one of Slade's childhood friends.

She stepped away from the window and turned toward the long cherrywood dining table, set with twelve places. Her gaze immediately zeroed in on Slade, lounging against the doorjamb, watching her with a hooded expression.

He pushed away and sauntered toward her, his full attention fixed on her. His eyes still appeared tired, but he'd told her this morning he'd finally gotten some sleep. She'd always become uncomfortable when someone moved into her personal space but when Slade did so, instead of being cautious and antsy, she was charged, her pulse racing, her breathing shallow. This time was no different.

“Are you ready?”

His husky question hung in the air. She needed to tell him yes, but all she could think about were those gray eyes, smoldering steel that sliced through her defenses effortlessly.

“Of course,” she finally murmured, “though I've already expressed my objection to this little gathering.”

“It has been planned for weeks. Something we have done every year since we came to the ranch. My wife started the tradition. Mary has carried it on. If you think this is a big deal, you should see what happens during Christmas. How do you usually celebrate Thanksgiving?”

“If I'm not working, quietly with Joshua.”

“These people are like my family. Besides, Abbey gets a kick out of helping Hilda and Mary with the dinner. That doesn't happen often since she turned fourteen. So much has changed lately. I didn't want that to, also. I actually got a smile out of Abbey this morning. Besides, the house is secure.”

“Yes, but Kyra did some checking for me concerning Brody Coleman.”

“Kyra? I thought Joshua was doing background checks on the people at the ranch, and he hadn't found anything so far.”

“He is, but after I saw how Abbey and Brody interacted yesterday, I thought I would have Kyra look up Brody to help Joshua out.”

“Interact? They know each other casually.”

“It could be more than casual.”

“You got that from what little you saw yesterday?”

“He goes to Dawson Academy, too. They have one class together. They may be more than casual friends. I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't check into every possibility.” Why was Slade so clueless to what was happening between his daughter and Brody? The shared glances. The longing looks each gave the other. If something wasn't going on, it could easily start at any moment.

Slade's eyebrows slashed downward. “What did you find out?”

“Brody has a juvenile record. Sealed so I don't know
what he did, but the fact that he had been in trouble with the law bothers me.”

A nerve in Slade's jaw twitched.

“Do you know anything about that?”

“No, but I'll find out what happened.” His hard expression cemented the determination behind the force of his words.

“I need to get to the kitchen now that Joshua is letting the first guests inside.” She would plant herself in the same room as Abbey and hope that Slade's belief in his friends was warranted.

Voices from the foyer drifted into the dining room. “I hear Jake. This will be a good time to find out about Brody.”

As he passed her, although they didn't touch, goose bumps spread up her arm. She rubbed it, trying to erase another physical reaction she had to his nearness. Under different circumstances, she might be attracted… Who was she kidding? She
was
attracted to him—but she wouldn't let it go any further than that. A man like Slade who was used to being in control, a man who ran a multi-million-dollar business, was off-limits to her. He was everything she avoided.

In the kitchen Abbey glanced up from making a salad. “Who's here?”

“Jake, his wife and his brother.” With her back to the wall, Elizabeth stood in the large room where she could see all points of entry as well as Abbey.

The teen quickened her movements, her attention directed totally to her task. Elizabeth suspected it was because Brody had arrived, which only reinforced what she thought. They were involved or at least interested in each other.

 

As Slade strode into the foyer, Joshua shut the front door after allowing Jake, Cindy and Brody into the house. “I'm
glad you all could make it. I didn't know if you wanted to spend Thanksgiving by yourselves this year, since it's your first one as a married couple. Here, let me take your jackets.”

Jake helped Cindy out of her coat then shrugged out of his and handed them to Slade. “I can't pass up Hilda and Mary's cooking.”

Cindy laughed. “I'm the first person to tell you I'm not a good cook. I'm learning, but it's gonna take some time.” She grasped her husband's hand. “Time I'm happy to say Jake has given me.”

After grabbing Brody's hoodie, Slade slung it over his arm. “Can I steal Jake away from you for a few minutes?”

Cindy released Jake's hand. “Yeah. Is there anything I can do to help other than actually cooking? I can chop up food or set the table.”

“All the others are in the kitchen. You know the way, don't you?”

Before Cindy could reply, Brody said, “I can show her.”

Slade studied the young man, a good employee who did what was asked of him, and wondered if Brody was involved with his daughter. He should know that. But then he'd have to be home more regularly to see something like that. Well, things were going to change. He had to cease working nonstop and discover what was happening in his daughter's life. He'd promised his wife he'd take care of Abbey, but he'd let his grief keep him away and had immersed himself in a job that had slowly taken over his life. No more.

“Let's go into the office,” Slade said, leading the way. Jake and he had been good friends ever since they had been ten years old and Jake had stepped in to stop a bully from
beating Slade up on the playground at school. He hated having to ask Jake about Brody, but this was his daughter, and he couldn't keep blinders on where she was concerned anymore.

After shutting the door, Slade faced Jake, trying to figure out how best to approach the subject of his brother. “With all that's been happening around here, Joshua and Elizabeth have done some background checks on the people on the ranch. They found something about Brody that has them concerned. I told them I would talk with you.”

“They found his juvenile record.”

Slade nodded. “It's sealed.”

“And you want to know what he did wrong.” Jake kneaded his upper arm and began pacing. “I'd hoped never to have to tell anyone here. I wanted to give Brody a clean slate, and he has done great for the two years he's been here, but I can understand your concern. My parents couldn't deal with him anymore, so I volunteered to help. He was getting involved with a gang in Houston, doing stupid things. The last one was joyriding in a stolen car.” Jake paused and turned toward Slade. “I'm sorry I didn't tell you. But your offer to send him to Dawson Academy is just what he needed. A different set of friends. A different environment. His grades are good. He has plans to go to college after he graduates this year. That wouldn't have happened if he'd stayed in Houston.”

Slade moved closer to his friend. “I'm satisfied. This won't go any further than this room.” He held out his hand for his friend to shake.

“Thanks. I haven't even shared that with Cindy. After you gave me a second chance working here when no one else would hire me because of my drinking, I know how important it is to have a clean slate. I wanted to do the same for my little brother.”

“You pulled your life together and haven't had a drink in years. I say, let's go join the others. I'm sure the other cowhands should be here soon.”

“With, no doubt, their huge appetites.”

“Yeah, Mary and Hilda's cooking has that effect on people.” As Slade opened his office door, he took a deep breath. “I love the smell of turkey and dressing baking. I'm starved.”

Jake's stomach rumbled. “I guess I am, too.”

Voices coming from the dining room drew Slade and Jake. Abbey, Elizabeth and Cindy were setting the table with the good china, crystal and silver. Brody, lugging more glasses, came from the kitchen with them.

When Elizabeth peered at Slade, her inquiring gaze mesmerized him. Her dark eyelashes were long and framed the prettiest green eyes he'd seen. He worked his way toward her while an army quickly took care of the task of putting out the dishes and silverware for a big Thanksgiving dinner. Elizabeth sidled up beside him.

“Find out anything?” she asked in a whisper.

“Everything is fine. Nothing to worry about with him.”

Moving back a few more steps until both he and Elizabeth were in the living room, she kept her attention trained on Abbey but said, “What was he arrested for?”

“Nothing that matters now.”

“Let me decide that.” She flicked her gaze to him. “You never know.”

“I gave my word I would keep it confidential, but it doesn't have anything to do with what's going on here. It happened over two years ago in Houston and didn't involve my family in any way.” Determined not to break his promise to Jake, Slade clenched his jaw and firmed his mouth.

Elizabeth bit back her reply. “I hope you're right. If you aren't, someone could get hurt.”

“No fair, Dad. You need to help, too.” Abbey glanced from Elizabeth to him, and he could see the wheels turning in her mind, trying to figure out what they had been talking about.

He surveyed the table almost completely set, even down to the bouquet of cut flowers that added a splash of color to the cream-and-gold place settings. “You all have done a great job. Where's Joshua?”

“Gus, Hank and Dan arrived. Gram didn't want everyone standing around in the kitchen, so she sent them to the den and us in here to set the table.”

“I wondered when your grandmother would kick everyone out.” To Elizabeth he added, “Mary doesn't like a lot of people hanging out in the kitchen when she's creating. Sometimes she even gets rid of Hilda.”

“All done,” Cindy said with a wave over the tabletop.

“This should showcase Mary's delicious-smelling food.”

Jake's stomach gurgled his hunger. “Which I hope I can taste soon.”

Cindy approached her husband and slid her arm around his waist. “Notice how important food is to Jake. Poor guy has been so patient with me.”

He hugged her to him and kissed the top of her head. “It's been worth it.”

“Brody, I now see why you moved to the bunkhouse,” Abbey said with a laugh.

The teenage boy's gaze grew warm, especially when it connected with Abbey's. “Too much mush for me.”

Abbey giggled. “I'll let Gram know that we're done and will be waiting anxiously in the den.”

“I'll come with you.” Brody scurried around her and held the door open into the kitchen.

Elizabeth fell into step behind the pair.

Slade's hand on her arm halted her progress. As the others filed out of the room toward the den, she peered at his fingers on her. “I need to go with my client.”

“Didn't you tell me the house was secure?”

She nodded.

“Then relax. This is hard enough on everyone already. Abbey should at least be able to feel safe in here. That's one of the reasons I spent so much money in the past few days doing what I could to make this a fortress.”

“So you're okay with Abbey and Brody?”

“If Brody's presence at the ranch keeps my daughter here, that's fine by me. As the days go by, she isn't going to like staying near home.”

“Fine. I just need to know where you stand.”

A laugh came from the kitchen. Slade looked through the open door and saw Abbey tugging Brody toward the exit at the other end of the large room, telling her grandmother they would get the two extra chairs needed. “I haven't heard her laugh much lately, even before the wreck.”

“Why?”

The soft light in her green eyes appealed to him, drawing him nearer. “Right after Catherine died, I had such a hard time being around my daughter. Seeing her broke my heart all over again. Abbey looks just like my wife. I started working so much that it has become a habit. I'm not sure what to do with myself except work. It took some of the pain of loss away.”

Elizabeth's gaze latched onto the finger on his left hand with the wedding ring on it. When she lifted her eyes back to his face, disappointment stared back at her.

“I love my daughter, and I will readily admit I haven't been the father she's needed for the past five years. If nothing else, this maniac threatening us has shown me
that. Now I just hope I have a chance to prove my love to Abbey.”