Page 46 of The Bodyguard's Fall

Tate was occupied by a friend in a bolo tie, who introduced himself as Archer. After the normal pleasantries, I took my opportunity to escape Tate’s light grip on my hand. When he looked down at me in question, I motioned to Jaxon, who stood by one of the exits, looking bored. He let me go but not before he leaned in close to my ear, looking like he was kissing my cheek, and whispered, “Don’t go anywhere without me.”

The heated puff of air he injected into my ear at his words was the most feeling I’d gotten from him all night. Ever since we’d stood from the table, he’d been pretty boring company, talking lightly with everyone around us but me. I thought we’d made some significant strides toward friendship being stuck together the past week, sharing tractor rides and trips into town, but tonight had set us back significantly.

I walked toward Jaxon, conscious of Tate angling his body slightly to watch my movements.

“Why are you hiding out over here?” I asked Jaxon as I stopped next to him at the door.

“‘Cause I’m almost a married man, and the women in this town are scary.”

I snorted. “Where’s Landrie? I thought she’d come with you.”

“She hung out in the loader with me most of the day, but she had a girls’ night tonight.”

“Are you ready to go home?”

He shrugged and glanced out into the hallway. “Whenever you’re ready.”

My brow furrowed. “Whenever I’m ready?”

He nodded, and something suddenly dawned on me. I took a step back.

“Wait. Are you watching the door?”

Jaxon flicked his eyes to mine. “Yeah.”

“Why?”

“Because…” He trailed off, clearly unsure how to bring up the fact that I had a deranged stalker on the loose.

“Okay, I know why, but…” I trailed off, somewhat stunned. Being here felt so normal. I hadn’t forgotten about Leroy, but for a little while, I’d forgotten that I needed to worry about him here.

“He’s not going to break in and kidnap me, right?” I added, keeping my voice light.

Jaxon huffed out a laugh. “Not on Tate’s watch.”

Like a tractor beam, my attention moved toward the man in question, and I startled slightly when I found his dark gaze already on me. He was nodding along with Archer, but Tate’s focus was wholly intent on me.

Then I noticed Tom Walker standing by the other exit, talking with the mayor while casually assessing the hallway. They were manning the exits. My skin prickled at the idea of Tate arranging all of this for my safety, without me knowing a thing. At something so vanilla as a party for the mayor.

I couldn’t imagine Leroy in this space.

“He’s in cop mode, if you’re wondering why he’s not talking to you much.”

“I’m not wondering that,” I bristled too quickly.

He shot me a knowing glance that made my face flush.

“You’re not on the tractor anymore, Toto,” Jaxon said, nodding toward Tate. “Your man’s on the clock now.”

Jaxon peered back out into the hallway, looking both ways before he was satisfied enough to lean casually against the doorway, manning his post once more.

“Now quit distracting me, woman. Tate will kill me if I miss something. Go away.”

With nothing else to do, I was relieved when Sadie Stevenson, my favorite baker at Keller’s, greeted me. She motioned toward Tate with an excited, if not slightly incredulous, look on her face.

“I saw you two holding hands at the bakehouse. Well done snagging a Walker brother.”

Easy answers. Keep it light.