Christmas Bodyguard by Margaret Daley Page A

trouble, especiallybecause 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.
    â€œAre 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.
    â€œOf course,” she finally murmured, “though I’ve already expressed my objection to this little gathering.”
    â€œIt 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?”
    â€œIf I’m not working, quietly with Joshua.”
    â€œThese 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.”
    â€œYes, but Kyra did some checking for me concerning Brody Coleman.”
    â€œKyra? I thought Joshua was doing background checks on the people at the ranch, and he hadn’t found anything so far.”
    â€œHe is, but after I saw how Abbey and Brody interacted yesterday, I thought I would have Kyra look up Brody to help Joshua out.”
    â€œInteract? They know each other casually.”
    â€œIt could be more than casual.”
    â€œYou got that from what little you saw yesterday?”
    â€œHe 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?”
    â€œBrody has a juvenile record. Sealed so I don’t knowwhat he did, but the fact that he had been in trouble with the law bothers me.”
    A nerve in Slade’s jaw twitched.
    â€œDo you know anything about that?”
    â€œNo, but I’ll find out what happened.” His hard expression cemented the determination behind the force of his words.
    â€œI need to get to the kitchen now that Joshua is letting the first