Bodyguard for Christmas

by Carol J. Post

  Colton’s gaze wandered again to the lone figure against the wall. Cade’s eyes held a silent plea for forgiveness. That same nudge poked at him again, harder to ignore than before.

  He curled his hand into a fist. He didn’t want to make amends with his brother. Not right now. He wanted to nurse his anger a little longer.

  Maybe Cade had learned his lesson. Maybe not. Frankly, it wasn’t Colton’s concern. What Cade had done was between him and God.

  And whether Colton chose to forgive was between him and God. He knew what God required. Hating his brother or even remaining angry wasn’t an option.

  Andi and Bryce walked into the room and joined the other five gathered around the hospital bed.

  Bryce clasped Colton’s hand in a firm grip. “You’ll do anything for attention, won’t you? But almost getting yourself killed is going too far.”

  Colton laughed. “I think I’ve had enough attention for a while. I’m looking forward to returning to Murphy for a quiet and uneventful life.”

  Gunn gave him a high five. “I’ll second that. Here’s to the hope that you’ll never need our services again, and that all future interactions with Jasmine will be strictly personal.”

  Gunn and Dom made their farewells, but before they could leave, a nurse walked in. With her salt-and-pepper hair pulled into a tight bun and a stern set to her jaw, she looked like an old-time schoolteacher. The kind that carried a thick ruler.

  “Looks like there’s a party going on in here.”

  Andi stepped aside to allow her to approach the bed. In spite of the no-nonsense demeanor, her touch was gentle. She checked his temperature and made a notation in the chart.

  “How are you feeling?”

  “I’ve had better days, but I’ve also had worse.” Like yesterday, when he hadn’t known whether he was going to see his son again. He offered up another prayer of thanks.

  When the nurse finished checking his vitals, she scanned the faces of his friends. “Mr. Gale just got shot. He needs his rest.”

  She was probably right. They’d told him he’d lost a lot of blood. Besides the pain medication, they had him on some heavy antibiotics and were keeping him overnight for observation.

  The rest she’d ordered sounded good. Maybe it was the effects of the anesthesia. Or not sleeping in more than twenty-four hours. Or the fact he’d just gone through the scariest experience of his life. But exhaustion was quickly overtaking him.

  Dom lifted a hand. “At least two of us are on our way out.”

  Jasmine reached for Liam. “And this little guy looks like he’s ready for a nap.”

  Liam gave brief half-hearted resistance before wrapping his arms around Jasmine’s neck. As she walked toward the door, Cade followed.

  Colton’s jaw tightened. He wasn’t ready to welcome his brother back into his life, but he had to begin the healing process. “Cade?”

  Cade turned. The hope in his eyes squeezed Colton’s chest further.

  “Thanks for what you did today.”

  “It was the least I could do.”

  “It was brave and selfless.”

  Maybe today’s events would be a turning point for Cade. Selfless wasn’t an adjective he’d ever expected to use to describe his brother.

  Colton watched them walk away, then motioned toward his Murphy friends. “These guys just drove two hours to get here. I’ll run them out when I get tired.”

  The nurse gave a sharp nod, then left the room.

  Bryce moved closer. “So what happened? All Jasmine’s text said was that Liam had been recovered and everyone was okay, but you’d been shot.”

  Colton relayed the entire story, starting with last night’s phone call from the kidnappers.

  When he’d finished, Andi shook her head. “That’s scary. At least it’s over.”

  Colton released a sigh. “Thank You, Lord.”

  “So what now?” Bryce asked.

  “When I get out of here, Liam and I will head back to Murphy.”

  “What about Jasmine?”

  “She’ll move on to her next assignment.”

  “And that’s it?”

  Colton shrugged. “We’ve talked about staying in touch, for Liam’s sake. Unfortunately, he’s gotten attached to her.”

  Tanner cocked his head to the side. “What about you?”

  Colton shifted position and pain ripped through his thigh. Whatever they’d given him in Recovery was starting to wear off.

  But the wound wasn’t his only discomfort. Tanner and Bryce were ganging up on him. And he knew where they were headed.

  “We’re friends. That’s all.”

  Tanner frowned. “That’s what you say, but it’s not how you feel. And there’s no sense trying to deny it. It’s obvious every time you look at her.”

  “My focus is on my son. He comes first.”

  Bryce shook his head. “Doing what makes you happy and what’s best for Liam aren’t mutually exclusive.”

  He crossed his arms and glared at his friends. He was outnumbered. Though neither of the women had spoken, they’d nodded their agreement.

  “Give me a break. I just got shot.”

  “Hey, turnabout’s fair play.”

  He narrowed his eyes at Tanner. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Remember when I was ready to let Paige walk out of my life? You were the one who talked some sense into me. I’m returning the favor.”

  “I don’t need either of you meddling in my business.”

  Bryce held up both hands. “All right. We won’t bother you anymore. At least until you get out of the hospital.”

  Great. They were giving him a reprieve, but it was only temporary.

  He and Bryce had been friends since he was fifteen, he and Tanner longer than that. Those guys knew him better than his own parents did. But that didn’t mean they had all the insight into his love life.

  Bryce had said to think about it. He already had. There’d been that kiss, initiated during a time of extreme emotional stress. But they’d both agreed it was a mistake. Jasmine wasn’t interested, and he didn’t blame her. Why would she give up her freedom to take on the responsibility of another woman’s child? And the thought of allowing someone else to take Mandy’s place in his or Liam’s life still tied his insides into knots.

  His curt response had ended the conversation with his friends. But long after they left, their words still circled through his mind.

  And each argument he posed seemed less and less convincing.

  * * *

  Jasmine turned onto Hilltop Road and released a sigh. Today started a new year. A year filled with uncertainty. Colton had insisted that she come up and join him and Liam for lunch. He’d said he needed to make up for the Christmas dinner that had never materialized.

  Returning to the cozy house, even for a visit, was a bittersweet experience. She’d come here a month ago, ready for another typical assignment. She’d approached this one like she had all her others—with confidence and cool professionalism, emotionally detached.

  No assignment was “just a job.” Whether she was providing extra security for a visiting celebrity or protecting a woman from a crazed ex-boyfriend, she gave it her all, throwing herself into the line of fire to protect her charge from harm.

  But she always kept a distinct line between her professional and her personal life. No, not a line—a chasm, a virtual Grand Canyon. Or a wall. The Great Wall of China.

  Until this time. Somehow, one sad little boy and his grieving father had changed that.

  Maybe it was all the times she’d rocked Liam, soothing away his fears after a terrifying nightmare. The way he’d snuggled against her and wrapped his arms around her waist. Those times he’d called her Mommy and melted her heart.

  Maybe it was the late-night talks with his fathe
r, talks that had gradually transitioned from superficial to levels of sharing she’d never experienced with anyone else.

  Whatever the reason, the barriers she’d kept up for years had gradually crumbled. Now she found herself head over heels in love with a man she’d never have, because his heart still belonged to someone else.

  That kiss had proved it. At first, it was amazement, anticipation and joy all rolled into one heart-pounding, ground-shifting experience. Then everything changed. She knew the moment it shifted. The kiss was no longer hers. It was borrowed, maybe even stolen. Because it belonged to his deceased wife.

  She slowed the rental car as she approached Colton’s property. The insurance adjuster had notified her yesterday that they’d be totaling hers. Tomorrow she’d begin the search for a new one.

  When she reached Colton’s driveway, he’d already opened the gate for her. She killed the engine and stepped from the vehicle, pulse pounding with a mix of nervousness and excitement. She’d hadn’t seen them since they’d returned to Murphy after Colton’s twenty-four-hour hospital stay. But they’d had daily phone conversations and even Skyped a few times.

  She made her way up the front walk to the deck. The living room curtains were open, framing the still-decorated Christmas tree. Maybe that was one of Colton’s traditions—putting away Christmas on New Year’s Day. They’d decorated together; maybe they’d undecorate together.

  Moments after she rapped on the door, it swung open. Colton stood inside, weight shifted to his left leg, a crutch tucked under each arm.

  He extended both arms. “Happy New Year.”

  If the strength of his embrace was any indication, he’d missed her as much as she’d missed him.

  “Jasmine!”

  She pulled away from Colton to find Liam running full speed toward her. He didn’t stop until he’d slammed into her and wound both arms around her legs.

  Laughing, she clutched the doorjamb for support, then disentangled herself so she could pick him up. “Have you been a good boy for your daddy?”

  Liam nodded.

  When her gaze met Colton’s, his eyes held seriousness. “Your name is the first thing he’s said since the kidnapping.”

  Her heart fluttered, partly from Colton’s words and partly from the warmth in his gaze.

  She put Liam down and bent to pet Brutus. His greeting was less exuberant than Liam’s, but just as joyful. Since the moment she entered, he’d stood staring up at her, tail wagging.

  Colton retrieved a small package from under the tree and handed it to her. “Today is happy New Year and belated merry Christmas all in one. I forgot to give it to you before you left. I brought it to Atlanta with me on Christmas, but with everything that happened, I forgot again.”

  After putting Liam on the floor, she tore off the wrapping paper to reveal a small hinged box. It held a gold locket, Liam’s picture inside. “I love it.” She worked the fine chain free of the slots and held it up.

  After Colton had fastened it around her neck, he extended an arm toward the kitchen. “Lunch is ready.”

  When she turned that way, she drew in a sharp breath. A white tablecloth covered the small table. A dozen red roses occupied a vase at one end, candles burning on both sides. The places were set with china, even Liam’s.

  “Wow, this is a bit fancy for just lunch, isn’t it?”

  “It’s not ‘just lunch.’”

  Ignoring her raised brows, he removed a covered casserole from the oven and placed it on one of the three pot holders on the table.

  She strapped Liam into his high chair. “What can I do to help?”

  “You can pour our tea and put some milk into one of Liam’s sippy cups.”

  When finished, she moved to the table, where three hot baking dishes waited. Colton removed their lids, and a variety of aromas wrapped around her. Her stomach rumbled. There was some kind of chicken dish, a potato casserole and green beans with sliced almonds.

  After Colton slid serving spoons into each, he sat next to Liam. She took a seat opposite Colton. An envelope lay facedown on the table in front of the roses. She eyed it, curious about what was inside. With all he’d done to make a beautiful presentation, he wouldn’t have left a piece of mail lying on the table. It was there for a reason.

  Colton grasped his son’s hand, then reached across the table to take hers. When he’d finished blessing the food, he indicated the serving spoon in the chicken. “Help yourself.”

  She dished up a large breast swimming in some kind of delectable sauce.

  “Did you make all this?” Either his cooking skills had improved in the past few weeks or he’d gotten some help.

  “Okay, I admit it. I enlisted some help from Paige. I was hoping to impress you. Have I succeeded?”

  “If it tastes half as good as it smells, you have.” After spooning the other two items onto her plate, she looked across the table at Colton. “I went to church yesterday.”

  A smile climbed up his cheeks. “Awesome.”

  “When those guys had Liam and we’d lost you, I prayed. And God answered. I figured it was time to look more seriously into this faith you have.”

  “And how was the service?”

  “Good. I’ll definitely be back.”

  The conversation over lunch was light. Colton hadn’t gone back to work yet but hoped the doctor would release him in another week or two, even if he needed the help of crutches. By then Paige would have returned to school, so Liam would go back to day care.

  Liam had had two nightmares since they’d come home several days ago. At least the frequency hadn’t increased from what it had been before. Maybe the kidnapping didn’t traumatize him as much as they’d feared. Apparently, the kidnappers had treated him well.

  As they conversed, she shifted her gaze to the envelope several times, unable to shake the feeling that the light conversation was a prequel to something much weightier. Apparently, Colton planned to make her wait until the end of the meal to find out what.

  After lunch, she cleared the dishes while Colton served up three pieces of cheesecake and poured a blueberry glaze over them. Ten minutes later, all the plates were empty.

  Colton sat back and rubbed his stomach. “That hit the spot.”

  “That did more than hit the spot. I feel like I’ve just been served a gourmet meal.”

  “I have to give Paige all the credit.”

  “Not all the credit. I doubt she did all this on her own initiative.”

  The smile he gave her made her chest constrict. It figured. After a history of falling for guys who were bad news, she’d finally found one perfect for her and someone else had gotten him first.

  Colton stood and returned moments later with a wet cloth. After cleaning the blueberry glaze from his son’s fingers, he handed the envelope to Liam. “How about giving Miss Jasmine her card?”

  A smile spread across Liam’s face as he passed it to her.

  She removed the card from the envelope and read the script. “May the year ahead be filled with unexpected blessings...”

  When she opened it, a folded piece of paper fell to the table. Before picking it up, she read the words on the inside of the card. “...and joy beyond measure.”

  It was signed, “Love, Colton and Liam.”

  She looked at Liam, then his father. “Thank you.”

  When she picked up what had fallen to the table, Liam clapped his hands, excitement radiating from him. It was a piece of computer paper, folded in fourths. She opened it slowly.

  Large crayon letters filled the page—

  Will you please marry my daddy?

  Her heart stuttered to a stop, then kick-started in a crazy rhythm. She longed to say yes. Colton was everything she wanted in a man. He was the answer to what she’d longed for even before she could put it into words. And even though she’d fought it
with everything in her, she’d fallen hopelessly in love with him.

  His grief over the loss of his wife drew her to him in a way she’d never expected. They’d both lost someone dear to them, and it had created a special bond.

  But there was a difference. She’d moved past her loss. He hadn’t.

  She met Colton’s gaze. “And how does his daddy feel?”

  “His daddy wants this as much as Liam does.”

  She shook her head. Colton wanted it because he felt it was best for his son.

  “I’m not Mandy. And I can’t live under her shadow. From what I’ve gathered, she was everything I’m not. I can’t compete. I won’t even try.”

  “No, you’re not Mandy.”

  She flinched at the words, even though she’d just said them herself. Even though they were true. She lowered her gaze to her hands, folded on the table over the card.

  “You’re Jasmine. And you’re every bit as incredible.”

  She again met his eyes.

  “You have qualities she didn’t have, qualities that I admire just as much. Although you had no nurturing yourself, you have an innate sense of how to make Liam feel loved and secure. In spite of your upbringing, you’ve become an amazing woman. You’re strong and brave. You’d throw yourself in front of a train if it meant protecting someone you cared about.”

  She shook her head. “You’ll never have with me what you had with your wife. Every relationship I’ve had has failed.”

  “Maybe you were looking for the wrong things with the wrong guys.” He reached for the crutches he’d leaned against the wall.

  As soon as he stood, Liam raised both arms. “Down?”

  His attention shifted to his son, and she expelled a relieved sigh. She needed space, the opportunity to digest everything he’d just said.

  She didn’t have long. Within moments, Colton had wiped his son’s hands and placed him on the floor. Two seconds later, Liam was running for his room.

  Colton circled the table and pulled out the chair next to her. “I’ve been fighting feelings for you since the first time I saw you comforting my son. I believed if I gave in, I wouldn’t be honoring Mandy’s memory.”