Accidental Bodyguard (26 page)

Reese jerked open her door as Jack said, “Good luck.”

FBI agents surrounded her and escorted her into the courthouse. She watched the Navigator drive away, but events didn't allow time to feel sorry for herself. She was introduced to two female agents who swept her into a bathroom where she changed into the clothing they provided as they barraged her with questions about where she'd been and what she'd been doing. She met with Reese to review her testimony until it was time for court to begin. She was his first witness.

Even waiting for her testimony in a chilly conference room, the agents kept at her with questions about the Warriors, her time on Collins Island and how she knew Rodolfo Santaluce.

Then everyone looked up at a knock on the door. It was time.

Claudia's first impression of the courtroom was that every seat was filled. And every pair of eyes watched her as she walked up the center aisle toward a black-robed female judge who sat behind a huge elevated desk, her dark hair pulled back into a neat bun. After a clerk swore Claudia to tell the truth, she seated herself in a comfortable chair, took a deep breath and stared into the handsome, angry face of her ex-husband who glared bullets at her. Big bullets.

She raised her chin and glared back. She wasn't frightened of Carlos anymore. Because of Jack, she knew what real love was, and she'd never loved this black-hearted terrorist.

Reese rose from his chair and strode to a lectern.

She followed his movement, her gaze flickering over the crowded courtroom, landing on a tall man standing in the back.

Jack.

Her stomach lurched. He met her gaze and gave her a thumbs-up.

Jack had stayed to watch her testify. He hadn't driven out of her life.

As that wonderful knowledge registered, Reese said, “Please state your name for the record.”

She did so, still holding Jack's gaze as he mouthed, “I love you.” Her heart slammed against her chest. Had she imagined that, wishing the words into existence? She narrowed her eyes, trying to be sure.

“Do you recognize the defendant sitting at the defense table?” Reese demanded.

Claudia switched her focus to Carlos, took a deep breath, and said, “That's Carlos Romero, my ex-husband.”

* * *

J
ACK
LISTENED
TO
Claudia's testimony for over three hours. She answered Beauchamps's questions clearly and without hesitation. The jury believed her. Even the judge seemed impressed with the details in her journal.

Two hours in, the defense team looked ready for a three-martini lunch. He got it why the Warriors wanted her dead. Claudia's testimony booked Romero a seat in prison for the rest of his life.

Beauchamps flipped his notepad shut. “That's all I have, Your Honor.”

The judge checked her watch. “Now is a good time to break for lunch. Bailiff, please escort the jury to the cafeteria. Everyone back by one.”

Her gaze glued to his, Claudia stepped down from the witness stand. Jack moved to meet her, but was blocked by a burly uniformed guard.

“Hold it there, pal.”

“No,” Claudia said, hurrying toward him. “Let him through.”

And then she was in his arms. He gathered her close, breathing in her sweet fragrance.

“I thought I'd never see you again,” she said, her voice muffled by his embrace.

He pulled back and cupped her flushed face between his hands. “No way. I still owe you a karate lesson.”

She gazed up at him questioningly, her blue eyes swimming with tears. “Only one?”

Wanting to kiss her, he traced her full lip with his thumb. “One won't be enough.”

Still searching his eyes, she asked, “Can we go back to the cabin?”

“If that's what you want.”

“Say it, Gladiator,” she whispered.

Of course he had to say it. He glanced around the room. At least twelve suited men, no doubt FBI agents, watched their reunion. Jack placed his mouth next to her ear.

“I love you, Claudia ‘Louise Clark' Goodwin. I love you no matter what your name is, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

One month later

T
EMPTED
TO
PINCH
herself to make sure this wasn't a dream, Claudia smiled at the reflection of Jack's mother in the mirror. Dressed in wedding finery, hair perfectly coiffed, they both looked absolutely fabulous.

She and Jack were getting married in the cabin's backyard—by none other than Sheriff Chuck Wheeler—in two minutes. Her family waited out back with the other guests, but she'd chosen Jack's mother for her matron of honor.

Irene's expertly made-up face crumpled, and she collapsed onto the bed. Pookie, wearing a pink sequined sweater, jumped into her lap.

Claudia turned. “What's wrong?”

“It was me,” Irene said, pushing the dog away.

“What?”

“I gave away your location. I couldn't help myself and told my friend Alice about you. She's the biggest blabbermouth in the state.”

Claudia sighed.
Irene had to pick my wedding day for true confessions?

“There's no way to know that, Irene. These guys were very good.” And done for. After Romero's conviction, any remaining Warriors had dispersed.

Irene dabbed her eyes with a tissue.

“And it could have been Marsali Winthrop.” Marsali had been questioned, and it turned out she'd cooperated with the Warriors because they were blackmailing her, threatening to tell her husband about past indiscretions, some of which would affect her prenup agreement.

“I almost got everybody I love killed,” Irene said.

“But you didn't.” The haunting sounds of a harp began to echo through the cabin. Claudia held out her hand to Irene. “It's time.”

“You forgive me?”

“Of course,” Claudia said.
Forgiveness is the most wonderful thing.

“No one is perfect, you know,” Irene said, fluffing her hair.

“That's what I keep telling your son.”

When Claudia stepped into the festively decorated backyard, her gaze zeroed in on Jack standing by the sheriff. She caught her breath. Wow. She'd never seen him in a suit.

Maybe no one was perfect, but her gladiator came awfully close.

* * * * *

Be sure to check out
the first installment of Sharon Hartley's
THE FLORIDA FILES
miniseries,
THE SOUTH BEACH SEARCH,
available now from
Harlequin Superromance.

And look for the next book in
THE FLORIDA FILES
from Sharon Hartley,
coming in 2017!

Keep reading for an excerpt from THE RANCHER'S PROSPECT by Callie Endicott.

Get rewarded every time you buy a Harlequin ebook!
Click
here
to Join Harlequin My Rewards
http://www.harlequin.com/myrewards.html?mt=loyalty&cmpid=EBOOBPBPA201602010003

Get rewarded every time you buy a Harlequin ebook!

Do you want to earn
Free Books
and More?
Join
Harlequin My Rewards
points program and earn points every time you shop.

You can redeem your points to get more of what you love:

Free books
Exclusive gifts and contests
Book recommendations tailored to your reading preferences

Earn
2000 points
instantly when you join—getting you closer to redeeming your first free book.

Don't miss out. Reward the book lover in you!

Click
here
to sign up
Or visit us online to sign up at

http://www.harlequin.com/myrewards.html?mt=loyalty&cmpid=EBOOBPBPA201602010001

We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Superromance.

You want romance plus a bigger story!
Harlequin Superromance
stories are filled with powerful relationships that deliver a strong emotional punch and a guaranteed happily ever after.

Enjoy four Harlequin Superromance stories every month!

Connect with us on
Harlequin.com
for info on our new releases, access to exclusive offers, free online reads and much more!

Other ways to keep in touch:

Harlequin.com/newsletters
Facebook.com/HarlequinBooks
Twitter.com/HarlequinBooks
HarlequinBlog.com

The Rancher's Prospect

by Callie Endicott

PROLOGUE

J
OSH
M
C
G
REGOR
REINED
in his horse when his satellite phone rang. He pulled it from his saddlebag and saw his parents' phone number on the display.

“Hey, what's up?” he answered.

“Josh, can you get to Montana right away?” asked his mother in a trembling voice.

Alarm went through him. Mom would never sound so shaky unless something terrible had happened.

“What's wrong?”

“It's...your...” She stopped and he could hear her crying and saying something about how she'd thought she could handle it.

His stomach twisted.

A moment later his father came on the line. “Josh, there's been a car accident. Grandpa Walt and Grandma Evelyn. A drunk driver...”

Gripping the phone so hard his fingers hurt, Josh tried to sound calm. “How bad?” He couldn't bring himself to ask if they were still alive.

“Bad. They were airlifted to the hospital in Helena and are both in surgery. You should get here as soon as possible...just in case.” The last words were very soft, as if that would keep them from reminding his wife that her parents could be dying.

“I'll be there, whatever it takes,” Josh promised, his throat tightening unbearably. He loved both his grandparents, but he had a special bond with Grandma Evelyn.

“Just get here safely,” said his father. “Hear me?”

“I hear. Don't let Mom worry.”

“All right. We love you, son.”

Josh urged his stallion into a gallop and they quickly covered the three miles back to the large barns of the Texas ranch where he worked. He tossed the reins to a ranch hand. “Take care of Lightfoot for me, will you? I've got a family emergency.”

“Sure, boss.”

He stopped at the ranch house to let the Gordons know he was leaving, and also to phone Mark Eisley, his second in command. A call to the airline got him on the next flight leaving for Montana.

* * *

A
FEW
HOURS
LATER
Josh charged into the reception area of the hospital.

“Josh,” a soft voice exclaimed. Emily, his new sister-in-law, jumped up from one of the seats and gave him a fierce hug. “Come on,” she said. “They're in intensive care. It's this way.”

Grateful, he followed her through the hallways.

“How are they?” he asked.

She shook her head. “No change in their conditions in the last couple of hours. They're still critical. I get updates now and then, but I told Trent to stay with your mother while I waited for you. She needs all the support she can get right now.”

Until Trent had gotten together with Emily, Josh wasn't sure his brother's presence would have been much comfort. She'd softened his edges in ways no one else had been able to do.

The rest of the family was in the intensive care waiting room. Mom was leaning against Dad, and Trent was on the other side, holding her hand. His sister, Madison, who lived in Seattle now, was already there, as well. There was a pained stillness around the room. Even DeeDee, his brother Jackson's lively stepdaughter, was unnaturally solemn.

His dad got up and gave him a fierce, silent hug; Parker's embrace alone would have told Josh, if he hadn't already known, how serious the situation was.

Sarah McGregor also stood and put her arms around him. “I'm so glad you're here, son,” she murmured. “You can see them next.”

Josh understood the drill at ICUs. Only two visitors, at limited intervals.

Ten minutes later an aide came into the room. His father nodded, and Josh went with her through a wide door. His grandmother lay in the first cubicle.

Agony shot through him as he saw the bandages on Evelyn Nelson's head and left shoulder.

He leaned over the bed, took her right hand and whispered, “It's Josh, Grandma.”

Her fingers tightened for a moment.

“She squeezed my hand,” he whispered to the nurse who was adjusting an IV.

The woman gave him a kind, sad look. “It's likely just a reflex,” she said gently, but Josh didn't believe it.

He turned back to his grandmother. “I'm going to see Grandpa now,” he whispered and felt her thumb press against his palm. “I love you.”

If possible, the nightmare got worse when Josh saw his grandfather. Walt's face was bruised and swollen, and a machine was breathing for him. His leg was swathed with bandages, blood staining through, and Josh wondered how extensive the damage might be. Lord, Grandpa would hate to be disabled; running his ranch was everything to Walt Nelson.

“Hey, Grandpa, it's Josh,” he said, slipping his hand around the slack fingers. But this time there wasn't any response, not even something his imagination could build upon. “I...I just saw Grandma. She sent her love.” It was possible to say that much, given the pressure of her thumb when he'd spoken about seeing her husband.

A moment later the aide nodded toward the door and Josh reluctantly left the ICU.

Back in the waiting room, Trent silently stood and gave Josh his place beside their mother. No one was talking. His sister-in-law Kayla lay on the floor with her feet elevated, probably related to her being seven months pregnant. But she seemed all right otherwise. Jackson sat next to her, holding her hand.

Sitting and waiting was hard for Josh; he was used to long days of vigorous activity, the same as the rest of the family. But it was good to be together at a time like this, even though all they could do was wait and pray.

Copyright © 2016 by Callie Endicott