Christmas Getaway by Tina Leonard and Marion Lennox Anne Stuart Page A

I imagine.”
    He grimaced in agreement. “No man wears a tux willingly. I’ll grab some food.”
    Sam might be unwilling, but he looked great as he walked into the truck stop in his tux. He had a strong, tall bearing, an easy walk. He was taller even than her surgeon father, which was saying something. Dad’s six foot one, just right for hanging the star on the Christmas tree, she thought wistfully. She should be home now with her family, making holiday preparations. Her stay-at-home mom would be baking Christmas cookies with her younger twin sisters, Trudy and Starla, twenty-four and just learning how to take care of their first apartment, which was only an hour from the family home, of course. Gigi, the golden retriever, would be scampering around the house wearing her traditional loopy red bow. The stairwell would be trimmed with red and gold velvet ribbons….
    She made herself quit thinking about holidays and home. There was no way she could get there just yet—Sam had said she wasn’t going anywhere for a while.
    A truck with Vermont license plates caught her attention. A large, strong blond woman got down out of the cab to check her tires. Jean wondered if she dared approach the trucker for a ride. Of course she had no purse and no ID since they’d left the wedding in a hurry. She didn’t have a cell phone. C’mon, a small voice egged, you’re an independent woman. Don’t let a silly purple dress slow you down!
    Wouldn’t she be safer in New England than in Texas,anyway? It was kind of dramatic to assume that she needed protection—no one had been shooting at her.
    â€œDon’t even think about it,” Sam said, getting into the car. “When I saw those Vermont plates, I figured you’d consider hitching a ride.”
    She wrinkled her nose at him. “In this dress?”
    He laughed and handed her a water bottle. “Just admit that’s exactly what you were thinking and don’t be annoyed you’re so easy to read. You wear your emotions on your face.”
    â€œIf you escorted me home, it would solve everyone’s dilemma. I’d be with my family, and you’d still be doing your bodyguard job. Not to mention my mom’s an incredible cook, especially around Christmas. We’re nothing if not addicted to the season.”
    â€œAnd what if—just theorizing for a moment—what if you’re part of something you haven’t realized?” Sam said reasonably. “What if someone wanted to shut you up? And followed you home?” He glanced over at her. “Would you want to put your family in danger?”
    â€œOf course not! But that’s a Hollywood plot, Sam. No one is going to care that I was at the wedding. And everybody there was an eyewitness.”
    â€œBut to what, exactly?”
    She sighed. “I don’t know what you’re getting at, but you’re being overly concerned. Molly always said you were a very cautious person who was hard to get to know.”
    For some reason that made him smile. “Molly was too easy to get to know.”
    He was right. Molly had had lots of friends in college—she naturally drew people to her. “You’re a more likely target than me. Dark, cynical ex-Ranger, taking a leave for unknown reasons… Maybe you ticked someone off?”
    Her voice sounded hopeful, and he smiled. “Dark and cynical? Did Molly say that?”
    â€œIt’s an observation on my part.” She wasn’t going to expand the description by telling Sam that he was also handsome, sexy, smelled good, had nice hands… She tore her gaze away and looked out the window at the blur of lights. Very little else was visible in the darkness, just lights along the highway, marking how far she was from home.
    â€œI don’t think I was the target,” Sam said. “There are too many chances to get to me besides following me to a