The Bodyguard's Return by Carla Cassidy

same crazy tension that had been present all week long renewed itself.
    She’d seen him in jeans and knit shirts, she’d seen him in dress slacks and sports jackets, but nothing had prepared her for Joshua West in a tux.
    “You look gorgeous,” she blurted out as he backed out of the driveway.
    “Thanks, you look pretty hot yourself,” he returned with an easy grin.
    Of course, she knew it was a lie, but she appreciated the effort on his part. “It’s a gorgeous day for a wedding,” she said. “Of course, as far as I’m concerned there isn’t a bad day for a wedding.”
    “Is that what you’re waiting for? A wedding day?”
    “Sure, someday I’d like to get married and have a family, but I’m not looking to make it happen anytime soon. I’m young and I’m not in a hurry. In fact, that’s the last thing on my mind these days. What about you?”
    “Definitely not in the market for either.” He said the words fiercely, as if to let her know exactly where he stood on the matter. “There are some guys meant for happily ever after. I’m not one of them, at least not at this point in my life.”
    “Don’t worry, Joshua. You aren’t my type anyway,” she said lightly. “When I decide to get married, I’d like the bride to be prettier than the groom and in our case that just doesn’t work.”
    He cast her a sideways glance. “Why do you do that?”
    “Do what?”
    “Why do you put yourself down like that?”
    She flushed slightly. “I’m not putting myself down, I just don’t suffer any illusions about myself. I know who I am and what I have to offer. I know my strengths and my weaknesses.” She definitely knew her weaknesses, having them cataloged by her mother from the time she was a child.
    He pulled into the church parking lot. He said nothing until he’d parked the truck and turned off the engine, then he turned and looked at her, his gaze enigmatic. “You want to know what I think? I think somebody definitely did a number on you and you don’t have a clue what your strengths are.”
    He didn’t wait for her reply, but got out of the truck and slammed the door with more force than necessary. Moody. Definitely, the man was moody.
    As they walked toward the front of the church Savannah found herself wondering about the darkness she sensed in Joshua.
    There were times when his eyes were shadowed with emotion she didn’t understand, and it surprised her that she wanted to know the root of that darkness. It surprised her that she was as attracted to the inner man as she was to his outward appearance.
    She found a seat in one of the back pews as Joshua disappeared to find the rest of the wedding party. She’d meet up with him again after the ceremony and they’d go together back to the West ranch for the reception.
    As she waited for things to begin, she pulled outa small notepad and made notes that would become an article for the paper.
    White and burgundy roses bedecked the church, their beauty so intense it created a small ache inside her. Scented candles were lit, their flickering glows completing the romantic ambience.
    When the men took their places near the minister and the traditional music began to play, a swell of emotion filled her.
    Weddings always made her cry and the tears began the minute Libby’s daughter, Gracie, began her walk down the aisle as flower girl. She looked like a miniature fairy princess in a billowing white dress and with her pale blond hair falling in ringlets down her back. As she walked and dropped rose petals, she smiled at the man who would be her official daddy when the ceremony was finished.
    Clay stood at the front of the church, his brothers beside him as groomsmen. Her gaze lingered on Joshua, who looked slightly ill at ease but handsome as the devil. Clay smiled at the little flower girl, and she hurried her footsteps, almost skipping toward him.
    As the bridesmaids began their march down the aisle her throat closed up as her tears increased.