Bodyguard Under the Mistletoe by Cassie Miles Page A

soon. I was helping my pappy brand steer when I was only six. It’s my God-given right to show my son these things. My right, damn it.”
    He was bitter, anxious and a little bit obsessive. Though Fiona thought Nate was a good parent, Jesse saw a darker side to this possessiveness. He wondered how far Nate would go to be with his son.
    He tucked that concern into the ever-expanding puzzle surrounding Nicole’s kidnapping. “I suppose you’ve heard about the missing ransom.”
    â€œYou bet I have. That’s one of the reasons I moved back to the Circle M as soon as the sheriff’s men gave the okay.”
    â€œHave you been searching?”
    He gave a sly nod. “A million dollars would change my life.”
    â€œYou’d have to return the money,” Jesse said.
    â€œFinders, keepers. The Carlisles already have too much damn cash. Dylan wouldn’t miss a million. That’s chump change to him.”
    That wasn’t the way the law saw it, but Jesse didn’t bother pointing that out. He wanted Nate’s cooperation. “I’d like to take a look around at the Circle M.”
    Nate’s jaw tightened. Offering hospitality didn’t come naturally to him. “I suppose it would be all right. Just don’t bring any of those damn Carlisles with you.”
    Fiona rejoined them. “Belinda says thanks but no, thanks. She’s a little concerned that Mickey might be getting an ear infection so she wanted him to stay inside.”
    â€œShe’s coddling the boy. Turning him into a sissy.”
    â€œHold on, Nate.” When Fiona touched his arm, he barely kept himself from flinching. “Belinda said she’d stop by the Circle M with Mickey when her shift is over.”
    â€œFine. I’ll be waiting.”
    He turned on his boot heel and went back to his truck. Jesse watched as he drove away. “That’s one angry man.”
    â€œBut you see what I mean? He’s crazy about his son.”
    Crazy being the relevent word , thought Jesse.
    Â 
    A FTER N ATE’S SURPRISE VISIT , Fiona wanted to check in with Wentworth and the kids before they did any further searching. If Mickey had noticed his father’s truck, he might have questions.
    On the phone, Belinda had been adamant about refusing to let Nate take the kids. She’d argued with her ex-husband about the weekend visit to her parents, which had actuallybeen a chance for her mom and dad to meet her new boyfriend. He and Belinda had been living together for six months, and marriage was in their future. Another bone of contention with Nate.
    Wentworth opened the door, wearing a tinfoil crown.
    â€œNice hat,” Jesse commented as he entered.
    â€œI’m the king,” Wentworth said. “King of the Wild Prairie. And these are my two ponies.”
    Abby and Mickey trotted toward them, bobbing their heads and making whinnying noises.
    Fiona chuckled. “What wonderful steeds!”
    Mickey bared his teeth and snapped at her fingers. Apparently, he was a carnivorous breed of horse.
    â€œHere’s the magic part,” Wentworth said. “I pat them on the head. Poof. They turn into kids.”
    Playing the game, Abby immediately dropped the horse act and gave Fiona a hug. “Where were you, Mommy?”
    â€œJesse and I were out back, looking around.”
    â€œLooking for what?”
    Fiona squatted so she was eye level with her daughter. No way would she frighten Abby with stories of kidnapping and ransom. Neither would she lie. Picking her words carefully, she said, “There might be something hidden on our property. It’s about as big as that coffee table.”
    A frown puckered Abby’s forehead. “Is it in a secret hiding place?”
    Fiona realized that she might be encouraging her daughter to go on a treasure hunt. That was the last thing she wanted. “This is a grown-up problem. Jesse and I will take care of it.”
    Abby