Bodyguard Under the Mistletoe by Cassie Miles

here?”
    â€œNone at all.”

Chapter Ten
    Jesse hustled toward the front of the house, coming around the corner in time to confront Nate Miller as he left his truck. “Can I help you?”
    Nate squinted under his battered flat-brim hat. The skin on his pointed jaw was red and nicked as if he’d shaved with a dull razor. His clothes were clean, and his jeans were ironed with a crease down the front. It appeared that he was trying to make a good impression. For Fiona? Did the handyman have a crush on her?
    Unsmiling, he stuck out his hand. “Don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Nate Miller.”
    Jesse accepted the handshake. “Jesse Longbridge.”
    â€œYou’re the fella who got shot. The security man. Glad to see you up and around.”
    Though Nate had offered proper condolence, his tone was offhand and insincere. He had something else on his mind, which didn’t matter to Jesse because he had an agenda of his own. He wanted to take a look around at the Circle M, and that property belonged to Nate.
    Fiona joined them. “Hi, Nate. Jesse is staying with us until this trouble is over.”
    â€œI suppose that’s a good thing. A young woman like you shouldn’t be alone when there are dangerous men on the loose.”
    His comment might have implied an interest in her, but Jesse didn’t get that sense. Nate’s gaze darted nervously; he barely noticed Fiona.
    â€œThanks for your concern,” she said. “Did we have an appointment?”
    â€œNope. I was just thinking that maybe I could take Mickey off your hands. For an hour or so.”
    As soon as he mentioned his son’s name, Jesse understood why Nate had cleaned himself up and shaved. He was on his best behavior—anxious to show Fiona that he was trustworthy, capable of taking care of his son.
    Nate continued. “Since Logan and his people got arrested, the Circle M belongs to me again. I got eight horses that belonged to Logan. I’m paying to board those animals, and I figure they might belong to me pretty soon. I bet Mickey would like to see those ponies. And Abby, too.”
    â€œThat’s very thoughtful,” Fiona said. “Have you okayed this plan with Belinda?”
    â€œShe won’t mind.” A note of anger tainted his voice. “We don’t need to bother telling her.”
    â€œNo bother.” Fiona pulled her cell phone from her jacket pocket. “I’ll just call the café and make sure that—”
    â€œDon’t bother.”
    As Nate’s hand shot out to stop Fiona from punching in the phone number, Jesse reacted. He caught Nate’s wrist midair and gave a sharp twist, spinning him around.
    Nate recovered his balance. A sneer curled his lower lip. Underneath his veneer of polite behavior, he was angry. “I didn’t mean any harm.”
    â€œI know.” Jesse had positioned himself in front of Fiona, protecting her from Nate’s hostility while she called his ex-wife. “If I thought you’d meant to hurt her, you wouldn’t be standing.”
    â€œYou’re pretty damn sure of yourself.”
    â€œWith good reason.” Jesse wasn’t bragging, just stating the truth. He was a trained protector. Even with a bum shoulder, he could handle Nate Miller. “You share custody with your ex-wife?”
    â€œThat’s right. I usually have Mickey on weekends. But not this last one. Belinda took him into Grand Junction to stay with her parents overnight.” He hooked his thumbs in his belt. “The way I figure, I should have some extra time today. Belinda owes me.”
    â€œIt must be hard. Being separated from your son.”
    â€œDamn right. Mickey needs to be with me. A growing boy needs his father’s influence. Know what I mean? I should be showing him how to do chores, how to fish, how to hunt.”
    â€œHunting? He’s only four.”
    â€œYou can’t start too