By Honor Bound

by Ruth Ryan Langan

  Something in the way he said it had Pru glancing over before deciding that it wouldn’t be wise to follow that with any more questions about him. Though she’d lost her own mother at an early age, she had almost no recollection of her. Except for certain moments, when she thought she could almost smell her. But that wasn’t something she ever admitted to others. “And your mother?”

  His smile was back as he dug into the pizza. “She went back to law school after my father’s death and now works as an advocate for families. Come to think of it, you’d find you have a lot in common with her. You’d like her.”

  It was obvious that he did, too. “And your grandfather?”

  “Kieran Lassiter. A tough ex-cop who moved in after my father died and became our den mother. He does the shopping, the cooking, the cleaning. He has the heart of a lion and the soul of a poet. When any of us had a problem in our younger days, we knew we could take it to Pop Kieran and he’d help us find a way to solve it. But we were never fooled by his domestic act. We always knew he was the toughest guy around. And still is.”

  “Sounds like a fascinating family.” She rested her chin on her hands. “I don’t think I’d know what to do with so many people around.”

  “You’d learn how to eat fast before the food was all gone.” He glanced at the half-eaten slice of pizza on her plate as he reached for a second one. “And you’d learn how to crank up your voice a notch so you could be heard above the din.”

  She couldn’t help laughing.

  “How about you, Pru? Any brothers or sisters?” Though he knew the answer, he was curious to see how much she was willing to reveal about herself.

  “No. I’m an only. At least that’s how it’s referred to in psychology classes.”

  “An only? Must be nice being the center of your parents’ universe.”

  “I don’t have parents. Just a father.”

  “And does he dote on you?”

  “You could say that. A bit too much for comfort.” She paused, amazed that she’d revealed something so personal to a man she’d just met.

  Micah glanced over. “He’s holding on a bit too tightly?”

  “Something like that.” She shrugged, then decided to throw caution to the wind. “He’s smothering me. He doesn’t know how to let go. I don’t doubt that he loves me. It’s just that sometimes he focuses too much attention on me. When you’re an only, there’s a lot of pressure. To please. To suc ceed. To make him proud of me. And it can be lonely, too. I often thought it would be fun to have a sister to share secrets with. Or a big brother to take on the world when it got to be too much for me to handle.”

  Micah chuckled. “You might want to talk to my sister about that. I’d be willing to bet that there are plenty of times Bren would happily trade three bullheaded brothers for a chance to be an only.”

  “How about you, Micah? Did you ever resent having to share your parents with so many others?”

  He sat back, sipping his wine. “My mother claims that when she brought Donovan home from the hospital, I told her to take him back. But what did I know? I was only two. Still, even now there are times when he’s a royal pain.”

  He reached for a third slice of pizza and noted that she was still on her first piece. “You’d definitely have trouble surviving the Lassiter clan.”

  She laughed and polished off the last bite before picking up her wineglass. “There are entire days when I forget to eat.”

  “Entire…?” He shook his head as he topped off her glass and then his own. “As much as I enjoy my work, I can’t say I ever forget about eating.”

  “It just isn’t one of my priorities.” She shot him a quick glance before looking down. “Professor Loring said you’re into security. What does that mean?”

  He shrugged. “I keep people, places, things safe.”

  She looked up. “You mean safe from theft?”

  He nodded. “Or safe from whatever threatens harm.”

  She had a sudden thought. “Do you carry a gun?”

  “When I have to.”

  She set down her glass. Something flickered in her eyes. “Are you carrying one now?”

  “No.”

  She visibly relaxed.

  He quickly changed the subject by indicating the half-eaten pizza. “Want any more of this?”

  She shook her head.

  “Let’s wrap it and put it in your freezer for the next time you forget to eat.”

  She pushed away from the table and returned with some freezer wrap. While she wrapped and stored the slices, Micah cleared the table and handed her the half-empty bottle of wine. “You may as well save this, too. It’ll go well with the leftover pizza.”

  She turned to him with a shy smile. “I’m glad you reminded me to eat. Right about now I’d prob ably be shutting down my computer and prowling the cupboards looking for something to hold back the hunger.”

  “Happy to oblige, ma’am.” He started out of the kitchen, with Pru following.

  At the door he paused and turned to face her. “Thanks for the hospitality, neighbor. Next time we’ll make it my place.”

  She kept her hands folded primly in front of her. “What do you think of Professor Loring’s apartment?”

  “It’s certainly different. I especially like the shrunken heads on the library shelf.”

  She couldn’t hold back the laughter. “Those aren’t shrunken heads. They’re authentic masks he picked up on a trip to Ethiopia fifty years ago.”

  Micah grinned. “That’s a relief. I’ll sleep much better tonight knowing that.”

  Pru’s laughter was as musical as the tinkling of a bell. “I think you’re having fun with me.”

  “Maybe just a bit.” He touched a hand to her shoulder and saw her head come up sharply. He deliberately kept his tone light. “It’s been fun, Pru. Thanks again.” He withdrew his hand and yanked the door open. When he stepped into the hallway, he turned. “Good night.”

  “Good night.” She waited until he’d let himself into the apartment across the hall before closing her door and bolting it. Then she turned around and crossed her arms over her chest.

  She’d experienced the most amazing rush of heat when he’d touched her. In fact, the warmth was still there, mocking her. What was worse, she was practically trembling.

  It was the thought of that muscled body pressed to hers. Though it had all happened in an instant, she couldn’t get it out of her mind.

  She pushed away from the door. As she walked through her apartment it occurred to her that she’d had a grand time tonight. Doing nothing more than chatting with her new neighbor.

  This was the first time she’d entertained a man in her apartment. Not that it was a date, or anything even remotely resembling one. But still, she had to admit she wouldn’t mind doing it again.

  Earlier today she’d resented the Vandevere sisters’ intrusion into her private life. But right about now she wanted to kiss those two old sweethearts.

  She stopped dead in her tracks. Or maybe what she really wanted was to kiss Micah Lassiter.

  He had a wonderful face. Rugged and handsome, and a bit dangerous-looking. The danger seemed magnified now that she knew he sometimes carried a gun. She’d always thought that men who handled weapons were somehow barbaric. Still, there were those laughing blue eyes.

  He was definitely a fascinating addition to the neighborhood.

  In the apartment across the hall Micah was whistling as he fixed himself a cup of instant coffee. The evening had gone even better than he’d hoped.

  He’d had a chance to see a little of Prudence Street’s apartment. Enough to know that the layout was exactly like this. Which meant that he’d have no trouble figuring out any places that might afford an intruder easy entrance. What’s more, he’d had a chance to observe her in her own space. She was naturally cautious, which would make his job a little easier. She wouldn’t be careless enough to let a stranger into her apartment. Even expecting him, she’d checked through the peephole
before unlocking the door.

  After all he’d read about her background, he thought he knew this woman he’d been hired to protect. He knew that until the age of thirteen, she’d been taught at home by tutors. That she’d attended an exclusive girls’ school, where she’d excelled in language and history. She’d been considered something of a loner in her small, local university. And she’d surprised everyone, including her father, when she’d insisted on leaving home for her graduate studies.

  But the woman he’d met tonight had managed to catch him by surprise more than once. For one thing, despite her privileged childhood, she seemed to have chosen to live a fairly simple lifestyle. Though it was true that this section of Georgetown was definitely the high-rent district, she lived without frills. No live-in help of any kind. According to his notes, she employed only a two-person cleaning team that attended to her apartment every Thursday, from ten in the morning until two o’clock in the afternoon. They’d been with her for the past year, and the agency that employed them had impeccable references.

  He’d already had time to examine her car, parked beside his in the garage. A candy-apple-red sports car with all the bells and whistles. Unfortunately, even in the thickest traffic jam, it would make her an easy mark.

  Another thing that surprised him was Pru herself. Knowing how shy she was, he’d expected her to be aloof. Restrained. And probably without much humor. Instead, she’d come across as sweet and funny. And though she held him at arm’s length, she wasn’t so much shy as cautious.

  Cautious. That trait could hold her in good stead in the days to come. He hoped she would remain that way, at least until the FBI put this latest nutcase out of commission.

  But along with being cautious, she was also a creature of habit. He’d already studied her daily activities and found, to his dismay, that he could almost pinpoint her whereabouts to the minute. If he could, so could anyone stalking her.

  He had his work cut out for him. He was going to have to stick to Prudence Street like glue until this was over.

  And if it killed him, he was going to have to put that little collision out of his mind. The thought of the way she’d felt pressed against him still had the ability to grab him by the heart. Not a good thing when he was being paid to see to her safety.

  He’d need to remind himself often that he’d been hired as her bodyguard. Not her lover.

  Chapter 4

  Pru checked the Monday morning weather forecast. Even though the morning was mild and the sky bright with sunshine, she decided to take along a raincoat and umbrella for the expected late-afternoon showers. She didn’t mind the rain, as long as it didn’t turn into a full-blown storm. She was absolutely terrified of storms.

  She grabbed her purse and car keys and hurried out to the garage. The space beside hers was vacant. Her new neighbor, it would appear, had already left for work.

  She frowned as she turned the key in the ignition and backed out. She’d spent far too much time last night thinking about Micah Lassiter. Now it was time to clear her mind and get ready for a new day.

  She drove the few blocks to the Children’s Village and parked, then walked next door to the Java Café for her morning coffee. When she spotted someone already sitting at her favorite outdoor spot, she felt a quick wave of annoyance. Then, as recognition dawned, she blinked in surprise.

  “’Morning, neighbor.” Micah got to his feet. “I was just having a morning cup. Care to join me?”

  “I… Yes, thanks. I’ll just go inside and order it.”

  He nearly laughed at the look on her face. She was as open as a book. He could read annoyance, which gradually turned to surprise and then acceptance. “No need. Mindy will be right out with mine.” He glanced toward the door and saw the waitress heading their way. “Here she is now.”

  He held a chair and had a chance to admire the pretty picture Pru made in her prim office attire. A lemon-yellow skirt just skimmed her knees. The long matching jacket was made even brighter by a red silk shirt. She was as colorful as the flowers in her garden.

  Pru sat down before greeting the young girl who’d been serving her coffee every morning since she’d discovered this place. “Good morning, Mindy.”

  “’Morning, Pru. The usual?”

  “Yes, please.”

  “I’ll be right back.” The waitress gave Micah her best smile and a slow sideways glance as she set down his coffee before turning away.

  He sipped, then sighed with pleasure. “Now that’s coffee.”

  Pru tried not to stare at the ripple of muscles in his arm as he set down the cup. No wonder Mindy was giving him a second look. What woman wouldn’t? There was just something about him that turned heads. “How did you hear about this place?”

  “It may have been Randall Crispin.” He was grateful when the young waitress returned with Pru’s coffee, distracting her from asking any more questions.

  “Here you are, Pru. Double cream, one sugar.”

  “Thanks, Mindy.”

  Again Pru noticed the waitress glance Micah’s way before walking to another table for their order. She nudged aside a quick frown and took several long sips before sitting back to relax. “I look forward to this at the start of my day.”

  “I know what you mean.” He indicated the se ries of low buildings next door. “So that’s where you work.”

  “Yes. What about you? Are you doing work in the neighborhood?”

  “As a matter of fact, I am. When I got back to my apartment last night there was a call from my service. Your boss wants me to take a look at the security.”

  She nearly bobbled her cup before setting it down. She glanced at him across the table. “You’re going to be working at the Children’s Village?”

  He shrugged. “Just until I find out what’s wrong with the system and get it operating properly.”

  It occurred to Pru that her pulse had just gone up several notches. Foolish, she knew, but there it was. And all because Micah Lassiter would be working nearby.

  She finished her coffee. While she was still digging in her purse, Micah had already paid for their coffees and dropped some money on the table for a tip.

  “Come on.” He paused beside her chair. “You can show me around.”

  “All right.” She led the way around a high fence to a locked gate. After she passed a card through a slot, the gate opened, and she and Micah stepped inside.

  He paused as the gate swung closed. “Is this always locked?”

  She shook her head. “Only from closing time until the first employees arrive in the morning. After that it remains unlocked to accommodate visitors and deliveries.”

  They crossed a courtyard and paused at the door to a one-story glass-and-brick building. Again Pru passed her card through the lock and pulled the door open.

  Micah caught the door and held it while she walked in and glanced at the security panel. Seeing that it wasn’t on she shrugged. “I guess someone came in ahead of us.”

  His gaze swept the entrance as she moved ahead of him and gave a running commentary. “This entire complex was donated by the Dumont family. Originally it was an orphanage and private school. Then dorms were opened for unwed mothers. As times changed, the orphanage and school were closed, and the agency began accepting children from broken or abusive homes. This part of the village is new. This houses the reception area and offices. Deliveries are made here. Unless they’re too large. Then they’re made at a loading dock that can only be reached on the next street. The staff offices are back here.” She moved briskly along a hallway, pointing out the various closed doors. “We have caseworkers, who work with the families of the children brought here. There are psychologists, psychiatrists, pediatricians and nurses, all of them volunteers.” She stopped in front of a closed door and turned the knob before stepping inside. “And this is where I work.”

  Micah glanced at the cramped office, barely big enough for a desk, a chair and the wall of file drawers and cabinets. “What do you do?”

/>   She opened a drawer and stashed her purse, before frowning at the pile of new folders tossed carelessly across her desk over the weekend. “I make sure that everything gets entered into a computer file. The child, his family, the type of behavior that necessitated bringing him here, the names of caseworkers or police agencies involved, any immunization records that might help determine if the child has serious medical problems, and finally, the names of any foster families that might be able to fill the special needs of each child.”

  Micah studied the bulging files littering her desktop. “Sounds like a lot of work.”

  She shook her head. “Mine is the easy job. All I have to do is deal with facts and figures and put them into a computer. Think about the doctors and nurses and caseworkers. They have to deal with the broken bodies, broken hearts and broken dreams of innocent children. I don’t have the courage to do what they do.”

  Micah gave a quick shrug of his shoulders. “Oh, I don’t know about that. You’re here, Pru. Volunteering your time for the sake of those kids, when you could be out in the corporate world earning a big salary. That takes a certain kind of courage. It’s something to be proud of.”

  She knew she was blushing, but she couldn’t help it. She felt such a glow of pleasure at his words. So many of her friends didn’t understand what she was doing, volunteering her time in a small charity. They’d made no secret of the fact that they thought she was wasting her time and talent. Especially considering her family connections.

  He turned when the door opened and saw a pretty, dark-haired woman standing in the doorway. She wore a navy suit with a name tag pinned to her lapel.

  Pru easily handled the introductions. “Micah Lassiter, this is the director of the Children’s Village, Margot Jamison.”

  “Ms. Jamison.” He offered a handshake.

  “Mr. Lassiter. Thank you for being so prompt.” She glanced at Pru. “I’ll be back later. Right now I’d like to show Mr. Lassiter our security system.”

  As he exited Pru’s office, Micah turned and winked.

  She wondered at the way her heart seemed to take a sudden quick bounce. Then, ashamed that she was behaving like a love-struck teen, she opened the first file folder and buried herself in her work.