Christmas Bodyguard by Margaret Daley Page B

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?”
    â€œJake, 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.
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    As Slade strode into the foyer, Joshua shut the front door after allowing Jake, Cindy and Brody into the house. “I’mglad 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.”
    â€œAll 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.
    â€œLet’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 frombeating 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.”
    â€œThey found his juvenile record.”
    Slade nodded. “It’s sealed.”
    â€œAnd 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