This Hero for Hire

by Cynthia Thomason

  He’s more than her protector…

  Being a cop in a small Georgia town is a pretty peaceful job, and one that Boone Braddock takes pride in. Babysitting the governor’s daughter, however, isn’t Boone’s idea of police duty. Especially when it’s Susannah Rhodes, who has an impulsive streak a mile wide.

  Boone was Susannah’s crush in high school. He’s still unmistakably handsome. Worse yet, it’s impossible to keep anything from him—like the real reason she’s returned home. And it’s more impossible still to keep her distance. Because a long time ago, the two had shared something special. Something that was never finished....

  “I was impulsive with you once before…”

  Susannah pressed that wonderfully impulsive mouth to his.

  The kiss was meaningful in a way that hinted they were no longer just friends, protector and charge. But the contact was short, too short. Just when Boone was moving to take her into his arms, she pulled away.

  She stared at him for a few moments. Her head tilted to the side as she studied his reaction, his dumb, totally blindsided reaction. And then she frowned.

  “Just as I guessed.” She hugged the passenger door and glared out the windshield. “Drive on, Officer. We’re done here.”

  He had no intention of starting his truck at that moment. They were so not done.

  “What do you want from me, Susannah?” he said. “What do you want me to do right now? What do you expect?” When she didn’t answer right away, he added, “Because I do have a reaction in mind.”

  She twisted in the seat. Her lips curled in a tempting grin. “Yeah? Is Boone Braddock learning that spontaneous can be fun?”

  He took her into his arms and held her close. “Among other things.”

  He could play her game. Only right now, it didn’t feel like a game at all.

  Dear Reader,

  Farming techniques may seem like an odd subject for a Heartwarming romance book, but I truly became fascinated with the topic a few months ago while at my local farmers’ market. I began studying the signs above the produce. Words like all natural, organic, free-range, etc., lit a fire in the research side of my brain.

  I’ve never paid much attention to the food I ate. If it was on a grocery shelf, it was good, right? But not everyone thinks so, and the conflict for This Hero for Hire was born. Take an educated agroecologist who wants to change the tried-and-true farming practices in her old hometown and pit her against a traditional small-town cop who’s hired to protect her by his state’s most influential citizen, and boom, you’ve got sparks. Watch what happens when Susannah and Boone grapple over the same fertile acres of prime north Georgia land, and discover that love is the best compromise of all.

  I love to hear from readers. Contact me at cynthoma@aol.com or visit my website at

  www.cynthiathomason.net.

  Cynthia Thomason

  This Hero for Hire

  Cynthia Thomason

  www.millsandboon.co.uk

  CYNTHIA THOMASON

  inherited her love of writing from her ancestors. Her father and grandmother both loved to write, and she aspired to continue the legacy. Cynthia studied English and journalism in college, and after a career as a high school English teacher, she began writing novels. She discovered ideas for stories while searching through antiques stores and flea markets and as an auctioneer and estate buyer. Cynthia says every cast-off item from someone’s life can ignite the idea for a plot. She writes about small towns, big hearts and happy endings that are earned and not taken for granted. And as far as the legacy is concerned, just ask her son, the magazine journalist, if he believes.

  I come from good old Kentucky farm stock,

  and so I dedicate this book to all those who put

  healthy food on our tables.

  Contents

  Cover

  Back Cover Text

  Introduction

  Dear Reader

  Title Page

  About the Author

  Dedication

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Copyright

  CHAPTER ONE

  THE VOICE ON the phone sounded familiar. But it couldn’t be. Albee Rhodes? Governor Albee Rhodes? Why would Georgia’s esteemed governor be calling small-town cop Boone Braddock? But Chief of Police Stickler’s face had been unusually guarded when he’d insisted that Boone abandon the barking dog complaint he’d been filling out and take a phone call in Stickler’s private office.

  “I just want you to have some privacy,” the chief had said.

  Boone had wondered why he needed privacy. Had someone in his family taken ill or been in an accident? Boone had just spoken to his brother in Atlanta, and everything had been fine with his wife and Boone’s two adorable nieces. Boone’s mom and dad had been settled in a New Mexico RV park for the past week, enjoying retirement, so as far as he knew, everyone was fine in his world.

  Trying not to read anything dire into an unexpected call, Boone had picked up the phone in the chief’s office and said, “This is Braddock.”

  His announcement was followed by the booming voice of Georgia’s governor. “Boone, my boy! How are you? Long time no see, eh?” After a pause, the voice continued. “This is your governor, Boone.”

  Boone sank into Stickler’s oversized desk chair and took a deep breath. “Governor Rhodes?”

  “The one and only. I’m back in the bosom of my hometown for a short visit.”

  “That’s nice.” What was he supposed to say? Wanna get together for a beer?

  “How are your folks, Boone? Everybody okay?”

  “Yes, sir, all doing well.”

  “You and I haven’t had a real sit-down since your academy days.”

  Boone couldn’t recall any time he’d had a “sit-down” with the governor. Maybe the man was talking about the one time after Boone received his associate’s degree in law enforcement when the family was celebrating his accomplishment and Rhodes, in full-on political mode, had patted Boone on the back in the Mount Union Diner. Did that constitute a conversation? Boone didn’t think so.

  Undaunted by his misrepresentation of the facts, Albee continued. “Are you enjoying life as one of Mount Union’s finest?”

  Boone thought of the barking dog report and didn’t know quite how to answer the governor’s question. Boone had never lived anywhere else, he loved his hometown and being a cop here had a lot of rewards, but heart-thumping excitement wasn’t one of them. “It’s okay,” he finally managed to say.

  “Just had a long talk with Stickler about you, Boone. He says you’re doing a good job and that he can always count on you.”

  “Nice to know.”

  “Bet you’re wondering why I’m calling today.”

  That was an understatement. “I’m curious, yes, Governor.”

  “I have a special assignment for you, son. Stickler thinks you’d be perfect for the job, and I agreed with him. This is a family matter, Boone, and requires some tact, finesse, you know what I’m talking about.�
��

  Boone didn’t know. He did know that Albee’s wife had left him years ago, so this detail probably didn’t involve Miranda Rhodes. And the governor’s daughter, Susannah, had left Mount Union at least fifteen years ago, if he remembered correctly. When the governor made one of his infrequent stops in Mount Union, he was almost always alone in his big house on High River Road. Alone except for bodyguards and staff, that is.

  Boone gripped the phone more tightly. “What would you like me to do, sir?”

  “You’re acquainted with my daughter, Susannah, aren’t you?”

  Boone blinked. No way this had anything to do with Susannah Rhodes. Boone barely knew her, hardly remembered her.

  “You two kids were in high school together. You must have crossed paths.”

  “I think we were two years apart, sir. Susannah was a sophomore when I was a senior.” Boone’s mind jumped to a mind-boggling, impulsive moment in the equipment room outside the Mount Union High School gymnasium. A fresh-faced, pink-cheeked, honey-blond rich kid with a ponytail had pulled him alongside the wrestling mats and planted a remarkable kiss on his mouth. “I just wanted to do that,” she’d said before leaving him standing there like a beached bass gasping for air. Yes, he remembered Susannah and especially how she’d looked walking away from him.

  She probably would have been Albee’s pride and joy if she hadn’t been in trouble most of the time. At least that’s what was rumored about the father-daughter relationship.

  At the end of Susannah’s sophomore year, Albee had shipped her off to a private school for girls in Atlanta, and from that time on, she was only home during holidays. Because the Rhodes and Braddock families didn’t socialize—ever—Boone never saw her again. But he’d heard stories about her since, involving disciplinary problems at the school and even minor brushes with the law, mostly rebellious teen stuff. She traveled a lot, he knew that, seeming to prefer anywhere but quaint little Mount Union, Georgia. Boone wondered now if she’d settled down since she’d been out from under her father’s influence. Anyway, because of that awkward kiss, and many other reasons, Boone did not want this assignment to involve Susannah Rhodes.

  “I figure you have to recall Susie,” Rhodes continued. “She’s the type of girl a fella remembers.”

  No kidding. “We were barely acquaintances, sir...”

  “No matter. You’re still my choice for this assignment. In fact, if you don’t have any clear memories of Susie, it might be even better.”

  Strange thing for a father to say. Besides, Boone did have a few personal memories of Susannah. Cute, spontaneous, popular and out of his league, despite that jaw-dropping teenage kiss.

  The governor chuckled, an unnatural, practiced sound. “Susannah had some problems growing up, I won’t deny it. Mostly because she flocked to birds of a different feather, not our nice, genteel Georgia gals. Like her mama, Susie was always looking for the next adventure. But I wouldn’t want you to have any preconceived opinions about the kind of woman she is now. I think she’s finally worked that wild spell out of her system.”

  Boone tapped a pencil on the top of the chief’s desk. He was getting a bad feeling about this whole conversation. “What is the nature of this assignment?”

  “Susannah’s coming home, Boone. She arrives in...well, I don’t know exactly. Maybe one day, maybe three. I don’t have to tell you that this announcement took me by surprise. She’s been in Oregon for these last couple of years, and now, on the spur of the moment, she’s decided to come home to Georgia. Says she’s going to help on my reelection campaign.”

  “I’ll bet that makes you happy, sir.” Again, this conversation between two near strangers was perplexing—Boone didn’t know what part he was supposed to be playing. He didn’t know if Albee and Susannah had maintained loving ties through the years, or if they’d hardly seen each other. One thing he did know was that he probably wouldn’t recognize Susannah Rhodes all grown up and filled out.

  “Oh, it does. I’m pleased as can be that my girl’s coming home, but I won’t be here much of the time she’s back in the house. This is a big state, son. You know that. And I’ve got a campaign to run and a lot of people who need to be persuaded that Albee R. Rhodes is the man they want for another four years.” He chuckled again, a politician’s laugh. “I’ve got to be shaking hands statewide for the next few weeks, not babysitting a grown woman.”

  “Babysitting, sir? Susannah’s only two years younger than I am. That makes her thirty-two. I can’t imagine that she’d need babysitting.”

  “Well, of course not, Boone. That was a poor word choice.”

  “So how exactly do I fit in with Susannah’s homecoming?” It was time to cut to the chase. He still had a dog complaint to file, and he was meeting the two high school football coaches at the tavern later for darts. His life was full and busy, for the most part, without adding a spoiled rich woman to his schedule.

  “Susie’s a good girl,” Rhodes said. “She’s got a heart as big as all outdoors, but she’s always been a bit unpredictable. Her mother encouraged that trait, not that I approved....Well, it doesn’t matter. Susie can also be stubborn. Thinks she’s invincible, like all you young folks do.”

  Boone didn’t think that about himself. He learned in the academy that no one was immune to the dangers in the real world. All it takes is one bullet or one out-of-control automobile. But okay, he’d go along with Rhodes. “What does this have to do with me?” he asked.

  “She won’t let me put a security detail on her. Says it’s a waste of money, and she doesn’t need it.”

  Figuring where this conversation was headed, Boone said, “She probably doesn’t need a detail, sir. This is Mount Union, Georgia. I doubt anyone will bother or harass her.”

  “Not any of our good Mount Union folks, I agree,” the governor said. “But I’m sorry to say that there are people who want to see me toppled in my race for reelection, people with strongly opposing political beliefs. You may not be aware of this, but Georgia is becoming a hotbed of political strife these days. Blue counties, red counties, politicians with widely varying agendas.”

  “Still, sir, I don’t think any of this strife will affect your daughter.”

  “Can’t take that chance. These next few weeks are crucial as far as swaying voters is concerned. Someone from the press might hear that Susannah is in town and try to corner her for a damaging quote to use against me. Not that she’d intend to say anything that would hurt my chances, but I remember a time or two when some surprising things came out of her mouth.”

  And Boone suddenly remembered that mouth in inappropriate detail.

  “I want you on Susannah’s case 24/7,” Albee said. “Keep your eyes and ears on her and don’t let anyone you don’t know get her all flustered. Trouble seems to have a way of finding my little girl.”

  “Has there been a specific threat against either you or your daughter?” Boone had to ask.

  “Oh, nothing specific, but threats are part of the nature of the political arena. I wouldn’t worry if Susie weren’t coming home.” The governor cleared his throat. “Political campaigns are messy, son. You know that. Folks start digging for dirt that is best left unturned.”

  Boone couldn’t help wondering what details involving the governor’s family were best left buried. “Well, sir, if there has been a threat, maybe you should advise Susannah not to come.”

  Rhodes’s voice lowered a degree. “Like that girl would ever listen to me. And I don’t want to discourage her. Truth is, I’m pleased that she wants to help me. I’ve always hoped she would show a side more like me than her mother. I just want to be able to go out among the good folks of Georgia knowing Susie’s in the hands of an upstanding Mount Union boy.” He chuckled. “I don’t mean that literally, Boone. About your hands...”

  “Of course not, sir.”

  “Just
watch out for her. And be mindful that sometimes she’s been known to exhibit small lapses of judgment. Susie is spontaneous, tends to speak before she thinks. You know what I mean.”

  Boone didn’t know, other than that one kiss, which was spontaneous to a fault.

  “That’s why I handpicked you—a single guy with no family responsibilities.”

  “I do have responsibilities, Governor,” Boone argued.

  “Oh, sure, but I want Susie to be your primary one for the next couple of months.”

  This was perhaps the craziest idea that Boone had ever heard. He definitely was going to decline the opportunity to be a nursemaid to the governor’s daughter. “I appreciate your confidence in me, Governor, but, as you’ve pointed out, I already have a job, and it keeps me pretty busy.”

  “Don’t worry about that, Boone. I’ve cleared this with Stickler. He knows you’ll be working private duty for a while. And I’ll pay you more than what you’re making on the police force. Normally I’d have two or three men staying at the house with Susie, but she won’t hear of it.”

  “What makes you think she’ll want me hanging around?”

  “She knows you...”

  “Not really, Governor.” A nod or two in a high school hallway—and one impulsive kiss—doesn’t equal a lasting friendship. Boone had barely spoken to Susannah Rhodes before she went off to boarding school, and he doubted she would appreciate a local cop dogging her every move.

  “You’ll move into the house, of course. Take your pick of five bedrooms.”

  This was going too far. Boone had his own apartment. It wasn’t much, but it was his. And he was custodian of his grandfather’s land. He had obligations he couldn’t walk away from just because a high-brow politician decided he wanted to hire someone to keep his pampered offspring out of trouble. And that’s what this was about, Boone had decided. Boone was supposed to keep darling Susannah from causing a commotion that might cost her daddy the election. This was not what Boone had trained for.