Bodyguard Reunion Read online

  “Yes. It will take a while to be back to her old self, but she should be soon.”

  Zach rose. “Is there a reason you came to see me?”

  “Not particularly. I was just trying to understand the ranch operations, and if there would be any reason for someone to be after the Zimmermans because of the ranch. I’m not so sure what’s been happening is connected to Paul and Mary’s books and campaign to make a change.”

  Zach blew a long, low whistle. “Paul and Mary pay good money for their help. They’re fair, and I can’t see one of my men upset with him. I’m usually the one who fires a ranch hand, after checking with Paul. So if someone had a beef, it would be with me.”

  “Have you fired anyone recently?”

  “One, a month ago for continually smoking on the job.”

  “Smoking?”

  “It’s not allowed at the ranch, especially around the stable and barn. This area has been going through a drought off and on for a while.”

  “Who was the man?”

  “Bo Moore.” Zach came around his desk.

  “Do you know where he went?”

  “He lives in town. I wouldn’t have given him a second chance when I caught him the first time, but Paul believes in second chances. I’m not as tolerant as Paul. And sure enough, I found him smoking again right outside the back door of the barn.” Zach gestured in that direction.

  T.J. pushed away from the doorjamb and moved out into the barn. “If you can think of anyone else, I’d appreciate if you’d tell me, no matter how small the reason. I’ve been surprised at some people’s motivations. But usually it revolves around love/hate or greed.”

  When he exited the barn, a horse in the pasture across from the barn neighed. A light breeze blew from the south, the air warmer than it had been the past week.

  T.J. took a couple of steps, stopped and turned back to Zach. “Have you replaced Bo Moore yet?”

  “Actually, about a week before y’all came to the ranch.”

  “Where is the ranch hand?”

  Zach frowned. “You’re thinking the person could be my new guy?”

  T.J. shrugged, not wanting to commit either way. “I suspect everyone.”

  Zach pointed to his chest. “Even me?”

  “Yes.”

  The foreman’s expression darkened. “Well, I’m not. Dave Cutter is repairing the fences in the far pastures. That’s been his main job since he started. He couldn’t have done the prank with the stink bombs because that was when he arrived at the ranch. He interviewed a few days before. He had excellent references. I don’t hire just anyone.”

  “I’d appreciate talking with Dave Cutter when he comes in from working today.”

  “I’ll send him up to the house.”

  “No. Call me and I’ll come down here.”

  Without saying another word, Zach went back to work on the pickup. T.J. strolled toward the house. When he’d first come to the ranch, he hadn’t thought it might be someone who worked at the place, although he’d had Kyra start a background check on everyone, especially the ones who were in contact with Paul and Mary. Even though Kyra hadn’t alerted him to an anomaly in an employee’s background, he knew that would take time to uncover. Now he didn’t know if the attacks were connected to Paul and Mary’s speaking tour and their message. But he would check in with her and add Bo Moore to the list.

  * * *

  When Sheriff Landon arrived at the front gate, Chloe accompanied T.J. out onto the verandah to wait for him to pull up to the house.

  Chloe waved at the guard who passed with the dog. “How’s Kyra coming with the background checks on the employees?”

  “So far Zach, Vickie, Shane and Willie have checked out—at least their references. Nothing in their background was a red flag. She’s going to look into Dave Cutter and Bo Moore for me next before completing the list of the rest of the ranch hands.”

  “Have you noticed the interaction between Shane and Vickie? I think she’s sweet on him, and he returns the feelings. When you were down at the barn, he came up to the back door with some lame excuse he was making sure Vickie didn’t need any more help setting up for the party for Mary tonight. Vickie blushes every time I’ve seen them together.”

  The corners of T.J.’s eyes crinkled. “Love must be in the air.”

  “No comment,” Chloe said with a laugh and pretended a great interest in the sheriff’s SUV approaching.

  T.J. shook hands with the man first, then Chloe did. “I didn’t want to talk about this in the house. Did you talk with Bo Moore?”

  “Yep, and he has an alibi at least for the tampering with your car. He was gone to his brother’s in Phoenix at that time. In fact, he found a job there and was boxing up his stuff to move soon. He didn’t appear to have any hard feelings toward the Zimmermans or Zach. He was excited about the job he found in Arizona working on a dude ranch in the northern part of the state.” Sheriff Landon rubbed the stubble of his beard. “In my opinion, he didn’t do it.”

  “I respect your opinion. When’s he moving?”

  “In a few days.”

  “That sounds like good news to celebrate along with Mary’s recovery,” Chloe said. “We’d better head inside or they’ll be wondering what is keeping us.” She started for the front door when T.J.’s cell phone rang.

  While he answered it, she escorted the sheriff inside and to the living room. Then, staying back by the entrance, she waited for T.J. to come inside. When he did, a scowl grooved his face.

  She met him halfway across the foyer. “What’s wrong?”

  “That was Zach. Remember I said he was going to let me know when the new employee came back to the barn? He never did, and Zach went out to the area where he was supposed to be repairing the fence. The wood, barbed wire and tools were there, but not a sign of Dave Cutter. When Zach returned to the barn and checked where the ranch hand parked, the guy’s car was gone.”

  TWELVE

  “Kyra is tracking down the references that Zach checked for Dave Cutter, and so far she hasn’t been able to get in touch with the first one. She’ll call me when she gets something. What did Sheriff Landon say?” Chloe asked later that night when the celebration for Mary’s homecoming was winding down.

  T.J. sidled closer to Chloe, standing in the entrance to the living room, and lowered his head to whisper, “He’s checking for a driver’s license photo so we have a picture of him, but the deputy that went by the man’s address said he wasn’t there. The owner of the property isn’t there, either. He’s renting a garage apartment. Hopefully one of them will come home soon.”

  “For the first time, I feel we might be getting closer to what is going on. Look at Mary. She’s trying to be the gracious hostess, but this has taken its toll on her.” Chloe noted the dark circles and puffy eyes that Mary had tried to disguise with makeup.

  Sitting on the couch, Paul cupped his wife’s hand and put one arm around her shoulder as though he was trying to shelter her. “As much as you’ve enjoyed this little celebration, Mary, I think it’s time you consider going to bed.”

  Mary looked at Aaron, then Vickie, before her attention skipped to Sheriff Landon and finally settled on Zach. “Thanks, y’all. This has touched my heart, and I wish I could stay up, but Paul’s right.”

  Her husband grinned, his eyes lighting up. “You heard it. Mary has said I’m right. I want you all to remember that.”

  The sound of laughter sprinkled the air, but beneath it was the unspoken threat that still existed for the Zimmermans. Everyone quickly sobered. Zach and Sheriff Landon rose almost simultaneously.

  Zach reached for his cowboy hat. “Ma’am, glad to see you’re all right.”

  As the party broke up, T.J. walked with the sheriff and Zach toward the front door to let them out, then lock up and
arm the alarm system.

  Paul paused next to Chloe. “I’m seeing Mary to bed, then I need to talk to you and T.J. about tomorrow.”

  Aaron followed his parents upstairs while Vickie made her way to the kitchen.

  “I’ll take the right side of the house. You the left,” Chloe said to T.J., and rotated toward the right to begin her perimeter check of the first floor.

  With all windows and outside doors locked, she returned to the foyer to find T.J. talking with Paul.

  He crossed his arms. “Mary and I don’t want Aaron or Vickie to go to the event at our church.”

  “Too bad,” Vickie said to Paul as she came into the entry hall. “I’m going. I agreed to not go to the store and sent Zach for the items I needed, but I’m determined to be part of the church celebration. I’m getting claustrophobic. I need to get out of here. Besides, you don’t know if the person is after me. I’m not part of the immediate family.” Lifting her chin, she fixed her hard stare on Paul. “I agree Aaron should stay away.”

  For a long moment, Paul and Vickie exchanged looks before his mouth set in a frown. “Fine.”

  “Good night.” Vickie ascended the stairs to the second floor.

  “I personally wish you all would stay here,” T.J. said in a steely voice, as if that would make a difference.

  “Not an option. Mary and I are determined to make a statement that we are not afraid. We aren’t stupid and will take precautions, but we won’t be prisoners, either. Right now our lives are revolving around this madman.”

  “Does Aaron know?” Chloe asked, imagining the teenager’s reaction. He’d shared the same thoughts as Paul on a number of occasions.

  “No, but I’ll tell him tomorrow morning. I do want an extra guard on duty in the house while we’re gone.”

  His frown carving deeper lines into his face, T.J. nodded. “I’ll see to it. The sheriff told me earlier he’d have deputies at the church.”

  Paul attempted a smile that failed. “I know how you feel about this, and if this wasn’t for Mary, I would insist she stay home. Actually, I tried, but she wouldn’t listen to me. It’s become very important to her to show whoever is doing this that she’s not afraid. I don’t want to lose her, but she’s right. If our message is to take back America, which means everyone fighting for what they believe in, I can’t tell her not to go.” He heaved a deep breath, then released it slowly. “I’d better go to bed, too. It’s going to be a long day.”

  When Paul disappeared down the upstairs hallway, T.J. plowed his fingers through his hair and massaged his neck. “I want to shake some sense into Paul and Mary.”

  “We’ve guarded other clients who still went about their jobs. We can do this.”

  “I know we’ll do the best we can, but ultimately if someone wants to get to them, he could, especially if he didn’t care if he was caught.”

  “I don’t think that’s the case here. The guy is bold, but he’s gone to a great deal of trouble to keep himself hidden.”

  “Don’t forget the woman in Dallas at the last stop. She’s still missing and could be involved.”

  “If the woman is involved, then there is more than one person. Whoever it is seems to enjoy messing with Mary and Paul.”

  “Maybe it’s Dave Cutter and the police will find him.”

  “So you’ve decided—”

  T.J. laid two fingers on her lips. “Shh. No more speculation tonight. It’s not really our job. Our job is to be alert and keep our clients alive, although it would be nice if we could solve it so the Zimmermans have their life back.” He took her hand and tugged her toward the stairs. “Let’s sit and enjoy each other’s company until everyone has gone to sleep. Tonight’s my turn to sleep on the couch in the living room.”

  “But you did it the last time we were here.”

  “And you spent two nights with Mary in the hospital. I owe you a bed to sleep in.”

  “I imagine we’re both light sleepers no matter where we lay our heads.”

  “True. That seems to come with the job.” A smile slid across his mouth and spread to encompass his whole face, forming deep crinkles at the corners of his sparkling eyes. He was totally focused on her.

  Tension slipped from her shoulders, easing the tightness there. “Have you ever wondered what would have happened to us if I had moved to Washington all those years ago?”

  “Yes. Have you?”

  “Of course. For months after you left. And again recently.”

  “And?”

  She stared at the front door, knowing in her heart she needed more than what her mom had had with her dad. “We wouldn’t have worked out.”

  He touched her chin and turned her head toward him. “I agree. We needed different things from a relationship. Although I’m not a navy guy like your dad, I needed a port in a storm and you needed an anchor.”

  Surprised flittered through Chloe. “Exactly, but I haven’t changed. How about you?”

  “I don’t know. My life has been in a bit of turmoil lately with me quitting the Secret Service and coming to live in Dallas. Working in the field gives me satisfaction that I’m doing something to make a person’s life better or at least safer.”

  “Why did you pick Dallas?”

  “It was familiar. I like the area. I wanted to be based in a large town with good airline connections to make it easy to travel.”

  “Did I figure into the decision?” She held her breath, the seconds ticking by slowly.

  Finally he hooked an errant strand of her hair behind her ear. “It crossed my mind.”

  “I’ve been wondering about that.” She smiled, more stress melting away. So much had happened since they’d become partners and, yes, they hadn’t seen each other for years, but T.J. was still the same person deep down. Although she’d stated she had changed, she was also the same. She wanted the same things: something more than she had, something she’d been looking for. She’d decided T.J. wasn’t that something nine years ago, but now she wondered if she’d been wrong.

  He angled toward her, taking her hands in his. His look wiped away the time they had been apart, and she felt whisked back to when they had been dating. He cupped her face, the feel of his roughened fingers caressing her cheek sent shivers down her spine. “I wish we were somewhere else.”

  He bent close to her, his breath whispering against her lips. Goose bumps rose on her arms. Then his mouth connected with hers in a kiss that removed the last vestige of tension. All her senses homed in on T.J. as he deepened the kiss.

  Someone coughed at the top of the stairs. T.J. pulled back at the same time she did.

  Aaron descended, a smug expression on his face. “Sorry I interrupted you. Going to the kitchen to get a snack.” He continued his path toward the back of the house.

  “I’m sure we’ll hear about that tomorrow.” Chloe tamped down the sensations rampaging through her. She’d wanted that kiss more than she had realized.

  T.J. straightened, putting more distance between them on the step. “Probably. Which brings me to another decision I have made. Working with you isn’t a good idea. You’re a distraction, as a moment ago illustrated. No matter what I do or say, I’ve found myself thinking on occasion of you when the Zimmermans should be paramount in my thoughts.”

  Even though they worked well as a team, she had to admit the same thing. This was neither the time nor the place. “Should Kyra send someone else to replace me?” Although she knew where he was coming from, the idea she would be replaced with another bodyguard bothered her.

  Leaning forward, he settled his elbows on his thighs and clasped his hands, his head averted. “We’ll talk about it after tomorrow. But if I had to make a decision tonight, I would say no, because we do work so well together. I know the Zimmermans wouldn’t like it. We’re professionals. We know how to sup
press our emotions when we need to.” He rose and put some space between them. “We have so little downtime when we’re on a job. It’s hard not to touch you, relax, enjoy getting to know you all over again when we do have a moment for ourselves.”

  As he said those words, she could see a neutral expression descend over his features, as though the kiss had never happened. His hands, which were at his sides, opened and closed.

  Chloe pushed to her feet, weariness blanketing her. She couldn’t shut down her emotions as easily, but she had to. Being in this profession wasn’t conducive to a relationship. Adam had taught her that. And right now this was her livelihood, and she intended to do the best job she could.

  “I’ll check the second floor before going to bed. See you in the morning.”

  As she climbed the stairs, his gaze bored into her. She felt it deep in her heart. She refused to look back. She was better off by herself rather than with a man married to his work. Nine years ago he was, and now he still is.

  * * *

  The next day after the event at the Zimmermans’ church, T.J. pulled up to the entrance of the ranch, releasing his tight grip on the steering wheel to push the button for the gate to open. Slowly—too slowly for him—they swung wide, and he drove through, heading toward the house. Although the event at the church had gone without a problem, he wouldn’t breathe easy until Paul, Mary and Vickie were inside their home.

  “Does everyone still have their bulletproof vest on?” Using the rearview mirror, T.J. looked at Vickie and Mary to make sure, because the two women had complained about the awkwardness of wearing it.

  “Yes, we do,” Mary said, twisting her mouth into a thoughtful expression. “How in the world do the police wear these all the time? It’s uncomfortable. The sheriff can have this back gladly.”

  “It depends on the officer and the situation.” A chuckle accompanied Chloe’s words.

  T.J. wished they had agreed to wear them into the church, but when the sheriff had offered them to the Zimmermans, they’d drawn the line at walking into the celebration in bulletproof vests. So T.J. had pulled up to the back door within several feet so his clients hadn’t had far to go. Then Chloe had rushed them inside.