“You know where they are. Tell me if they need anything.” At the mere mention of his father, Abigail seemed to just light up. Erica marveled at the realization that after forty plus years, they must still be on their honeymoon. She would love to fall in love like that. Before she could stop herself, Erica found herself wondering if she could fall for Trevor that way.
“Marcy, could you grab the ice cream on the way out? Thanks, hon,” Abigail called on her way out the door.
“Save me some pie,” Trevor called after his mother.
“You know I did,” she sing-songed back.
Trevor grinned.
Marcy grabbed the ice cream and scrambled after the other women. Trevor and Erica shared a shrug.
Trevor led Erica through the first floor of the house. She marveled at the myriad of photos covering almost every available surface. She halted in her tracks and backed up. Trevor opened a door, and then looked at her with a puzzled frown.
“What’s up?”
A grin split Erica’s face from ear to ear while she studied an old photo of Trevor. He couldn’t have been more than three or four, but he was on a stage gripping a microphone for all he was worth. He’d gone down to his knees, thrown his head and arm back while obviously holding a note. A rock star in training. She turned to the grown up version.
“This is priceless.”
He came back to see what she was looking at and grimaced. “No matter how often I hide that photo, my mom always finds another one. I think she has a stash somewhere.”
“Why would you want to hide it? It’s perfect. The quintessential Trevor Cole.” Erica leaned closer to read, “Tiny Tots Talent Extravaganza and Competition. Did you win?”
He shook his head and pointed to a very sour looking little girl in the corner of the photo. “Betsy Manderhoffen. She sung Amazing Grace, badly, just like she did every year. And won, just like she did every year.” Trevor considered the photo again. “Her mom ran the competition, too. That may have had something to do with it.”
Erica laughed and gave him a little squeeze. “And what did you sing?”
“’She’s a brick. house!’” Trevor sang and Erica doubled over in laughter. “Hey! I’ll have you know, I rocked the house.”
“You don’t think it was at all inappropriate for what, a three or four year old, to sing?”
Trevor contemplated the picture again. His own laughter surfaced. “To be fair, I believed the lyrics were actually about a brick house.” He gave a tiny shrug when a grin split his face. “No wonder all the judges looked like they were sucking on lemons.”
Erica cracked up again. Trevor grabbed her hand and ushered her along. “Just you remember this when I see embarrassing photos of you.”
“They don’t exist.” Erica laughed even harder while he led her downstairs to a finished basement.
They were greeted by a hearty chorus of hellos from the three older men occupying the room. Trying not to be obtrusive, Erica placed herself between Trevor and the others until she could feel them out.
“Hey, everybody. This is Erica.” Trevor ushered her toward the biggest man in the bunch. He still had mostly jet black hair with the tiniest streaks of grey and kind green eyes. Erica didn’t need Trevor’s intro to realize that this was his father. The older man shook Erica’s hand with a firm, but gentle grip with his large hand.
“This is my dad, Cliff Cole. Dad, my friend, Erica.”
“Pleasure to meet you,” Erica said. And it was. Other than the jet black hair, it was just like meeting Trevor all over again.
“I’d like to say Trevor’s told me all about you, but I’m afraid I can’t.” He shot a pointed look at Trevor before settling his piercing stare on Erica. She got the distinct sense he was sizing her up. Trying to ascertain how she felt about his son. Erica couldn’t say she blamed him. Trevor must have women falling all over him. It was a father’s right to be a little protective. Though Erica had to admit she’d expected it more from his mother.
“I’m afraid there’s not much to tell. I swim in Trevor’s show. Since the next venue was cancelled, I found myself at loose ends. Trevor convinced me to tag along. So here I am.” Erica couldn’t put a finger on why she couldn’t bring herself to lie to his father. She imagined it was because he reminded her too much of her own. She’d never been able to lie to him, either.
Trevor draped an arm around Erica’s shoulders and pulled her away from Cliff. “I already have my work cut out for me trying to sweep her off her feet. You mind postponing the third degree until after my devious plan to show her all about what a great guy I am works?”
Cliff stared at his son for a long moment. It seemed to Erica that some unspoken understanding passed between them that she couldn’t quite put her finger on. Cliff smiled at Erica and teased, “My son is a great guy. The greatest.”
“So you say,” Erica retorted, glad the awkward moment had passed.
Cliff introduced her to his friends. James and Richard seemed to be pretty solid guys. Erica settled in to watch the dynamics of the group. It wasn’t long before they sucked her into their camaraderie. If she were really Trevor’s girlfriend, she’d have been pleased that she’d won his father over so thoroughly.
The hours melted away and Erica was surprised to see that evening was becoming nightfall when Trevor led her outside. Erica was even more stunned to realize that despite Abby’s claim that the guests would be leaving once the pie ran out, it seemed that more folk had shown up. And there wasn’t a lick of pie to be seen.
Erica studied the joyful people laughing and dancing and carrying on and had another surprising epiphany. A smile quivered on her lips when she squeezed Trevor’s hand and leaned close to his ear.
“I hate to strike a blow to your delicate male ego, but I don’t think all these people are here to see you.”
He snaked an arm around her waist to hold her close. It was a lot more comfortable than she wanted to admit so she concentrated on his words instead.
“You’re right. Any occasion for a party is a good one. I just happened to be the catalyst this time.”
Erica nodded and stepped away. Something in his eyes flashed and Erica was sure she didn’t want to know what it was so she turned to look at the crowd again. It brought a smile to her face to see his mother behaving like the social butterfly of social butterflies. Trevor followed her gaze.
“I hope she didn’t fool you with all that “sooner they go home” nonsense.” Trevor’s breath whispered across her cheek making her long to lean into him. Not sure what was in her expression, Erica kept her face toward Abigail.
“Of course not,” she lied.
Trevor laughed. “Let’s grab a bite.”
The surprises just kept rolling in when Trevor led her to four huge tables crisscrossed in the middle of the tent. Each table was loaded down with food, all of it homemade by the looks of it. Having only snacked all day, Erica’s mouth began to water.
“I thought it was just pie.” She looked at Trevor.
“The pie was just to tide folks over until the main event.” He gestured toward the tables. “Where do you wanna start?”
Plates loaded down with yummy goodness, Erica and Trevor headed to find seats. They snagged a couple near a makeshift stage where a rowdy country band was playing their hearts out. They settled into some empty seats at a table, and then Erica sampled a bit of everything from Trevor’s plate before starting on her own.
“You know you have you a plate, too.” Erica just smiled and dug into her own food. His expression lit in understanding. “It’s okay if you take some down time.”
Erica met his eye. “No. It isn’t.”
Trevor heaved an inward sigh. Then he decided to make a game of it. He speared some of her potato salad.
“Hey!” Erica protested.
Trevor shrugged. “What’s good for the goose …”
Erica shifted her plate away, but he followed. Erica struck back and polished off his baked beans. They turned
into little kids while they sparred over each other’s food. Erica had ketchup on her nose and Trevor had mustard on his chin when a burly man clapped him on the shoulder. “Alrighty now, boy. Your belly oughta be full enough to get up on that stage and show us how it’s done.”
Trevor grinned. “Y’all not ready for me, Uncle Charlie.” He begged off even while he stood. Erica caught his arm. A challenging look flashed in his eyes. It turned to surprise when she wiped the mustard away with a napkin. His eyes heated while he studied her another long moment. Erica knew she should, but she refused to look away. The older man nudged Trevor, breaking the spell. With a grin, he headed to the stage with Charlie.
Since they’d been sitting near the stage to begin with, Erica didn’t feel the need to move closer. Trevor smiled at her when he picked up a guitar and perched on a stool, and she had the feeling he’d known he’d be performing soon and wanted her to have a good seat.
Expecting to hear one of his rock tunes, Erica was surprised when he launched into a silly country tune. Trevor outdid himself adding a twang to his voice while he belted out the crazy lyrics. Erica had never heard the song before and suspected he was making it up on the spot. The crowd caught on to the chorus and sang it along with him. Several people headed for a makeshift dance floor to shimmy and shake with the music.
Trevor moved from one tune to the next. She didn’t think it was possible, but it seemed that each song was funnier than the previous. Trevor had everyone within earshot eating out of the palm of his hand and looked to be enjoying every minute. If Erica had thought she’d seen him in his element when they were performing in his big over produced shows, she’d been sadly mistaken.
When Trevor wound it up, thunderous applause greeted him.
He held up his hands, accepting the applause at first and then tried to quiet it. “All you fellows cuddle up with your best girl. I’ve got something for you.” Trevor strummed the opening notes of a ballad.
One by one, couples moved to the dance floor to sway in gentle rhythm while Trevor’s mellow voice washed over them. Erica liked the way Trevor had of engaging all the members of his audience. He made them feel like he was playing just for them. At least that’s how she felt. She found herself humming along with him. Something about the sweet song tugged at the cords of her memory. Erica’s breath hitched. It was the song he’d played the first time he’d seen her swim. She couldn’t imagine when he’d had time to finish it. But it was beautiful. Oh how she wished she had a pool right now.
She looked at Trevor and found him looking back at her. She could see the secret question in his smile. She nodded her answer. He winked at her. When he launched into the next verse, Erica knew it would be easy to love a guy like him. So it was no wonder that she did.
Chapter Twelve
Erica sat ramrod straight. All of a sudden, the air seemed to have disappeared when the idea crossed her consciousness. It had been her imagination. There was no possibility she could be in love with Trevor Cole. First, it was totally unprofessional. She was nothing if not professional. Second, he was her boss. Her fake boss, but still her boss nonetheless. Third, he … Erica found she couldn’t come up with a viable third. She could say that he was always surrounded by too many women. But having lived with him like she had, she knew that he was very controlled on that front. Still, she wanted to say that all those other women would always be competing with her for his attention. But he had a way of having eyes only for her. Just like he was doing now.
She replayed their entire acquaintance in her mind. Erica knew he was attracted to her. The memory of their botched kiss still curled her toes. But she figured she’d gotten through to him about not splitting her focus. Now, Erica had to wonder.
She remembered all the little “suggestions” he’d made. She considered all the times he’d invented a reason to touch her. She reflected on how he’d come to her defense when Dani attacked her then later insisted that Dani had no right to be mad even after she’d told him the whole story. Guys didn’t go to all that trouble unless they were trying to get you into bed or they loved you. And she was willing to bet Trevor didn’t love her. He couldn’t.
Trepidation settled in Trevor’s gut while he watched the emotions play out over Erica’s face. He could’ve sworn she was touched that he’d finished this song for her. But now, by the looks of things, she couldn’t be thinking anything good. Wanting to get her out of the crowd had him wrapping up the song before he’d gotten to the third verse. Charlie tried to get him to give them another, but Trevor played the tired card. Like he’d known she would, Erica met him along the side of the stage.
“What’s wrong?” she asked once she got to his side.
“Nothing. Just ready to call it a day is all.”
She nodded in agreement, but tensed when he put his arm around her. “We passed a hotel on the way in. We’ll …”
“Whoa.” Trevor stopped to look at her. “We’re staying here. You knew that when we left.”
“That was before the entire county showed up here. Look around you, Trevor.” Erica made a nonchalant gesture around the ranch, but Trevor could read how wound up she was easier than a page of sheet music. “I cannot guarantee your security here.”
“Guarantee my … this is my parents’ house. I grew up here. If I’m not secure here, I won’t be secure anywhere.”
Barely holding on to her civility, Erica pulled out of his grasp and looked at him. “What if someone here slipped into the house and left a nice surprise for you?”
“These are my closest relatives and friends. I can’t believe you’d think that of them.”
“I can’t believe you wouldn’t.” Erica knew she was being unreasonable, but she needed to get out of there. Everywhere she looked, she could imagine Trevor growing up. All of his firsts. All of the things that had made him the man he was. It only made her long for him all the more. Hoping to spare herself that anguish and regain some equilibrium, Erica wanted a minute away. She needed a minute away.
She was sure that once she got to neutral territory her brain would start working again. Better yet, she could go over the report Jason had sent her yesterday again. Maybe she’d missed something. Maybe she could find some lead they’d both missed. She would point it out to Jason, he’d follow up, the case would be solved and she and Trevor could go their separate ways. Yes. That would be the best outcome for them all. So why did her heart clench at the thought of never seeing Trevor again?
Deciding it was just a little bit of heartburn, Erica pressed on. “Just be reasonable, Trevor.”
He folded his arms across his chest and dug in his heels. “Unless you plan on knocking me out and slinging me over your shoulder to carry me away, I’m not going anywhere.”
Trevor prayed she couldn’t do just that. He wasn’t sure what had gotten into Erica. She’d known his plan to stay at the ranch from the beginning. He wasn’t in the mood to cajole her around to his way of thinking.
“You know, that can be arranged,” she informed him with a glint in her eye that he knew meant business.
“What can be arranged?” Both Trevor and Erica snapped to attention when his mother joined them. Sensing an ally, Trevor slung an arm around her shoulders.
“Nothing, Ma. We were just talking over where to stay tonight.”
“Nonsense. There’s plenty of room for the both of you here. Don’t give it another thought.” Abigail smiled at Erica, but it was obvious she figured more was going here.
Erica found her smile. “I just don’t want to put anybody out.”
“This is Trevor’s home. He’s always welcome home. But if you feel that way, you’re welcome to find another place to sleep.”
The unspoken ‘by yourself’ came through loud and clear. Erica was the scum of the earth because it was obvious Abby believed she was trying to take her son from her. There was no way she could explain the real situation. She glanced at Trevor’s gloating face. And reconsidered. “Well, I’m afraid it’s not that simple
. I’m actually his…”
“Maybe we should go to a hotel,” Trevor interrupted with a glare at Erica. The look that passed between them was designed to let him know that she meant business. She was prepared to blow her cover if need be. He’d already told her how his mom would freak out to learn he needed a bodyguard.
His mother gave him such a heartbroken look that it tore at Erica’s insides. Still, she couldn’t back down. Not this time. She knew he would spare his mom the truth at all costs.
“A hotel? I’ve barely gotten to see you. I had breakfast all planned and everything.”
“We’ll be here a couple of days,” Trevor reassured her.
“That’s not the same. I can’t take care of you if you’re not here to be taken care of.” Abigail patted his cheek. Okay, so Erica was the most horrid person on the face of the earth taking Trevor away from his family like this. But wouldn’t it be worse if the guy got to him and took him away forever? She had to stand her ground.
She was determined not to be swayed by Trevor’s sad eyes. So she said, “You’re right. He came home to visit, so he’ll visit. We’ll be happy to stay here.”
Abigail gave Erica a look of gratitude mixed with don’t-play-me-little-girl and she knew she’d been bested. She also had the feeling that her estimation had just dropped lower than a slug’s belly in his mother’s eyes. Erica couldn’t do anything about that. Even though it hurt, she had to remember she wasn’t here to make friends. She was here to keep the woman’s son safe. Still, it saddened Erica that she’d made an enemy of someone she’d have loved to call friend.
Trevor bid his mother good night, and Erica followed him to get their bags from the car then inside the house and up to his old room. After a careful sweep of the inside, she allowed him to enter. She didn’t really think that the place was unsafe, but she wasn’t about to let Trevor in on it. He’d scored enough off her for one day.
Speaking of scoring, she took note of the bed. The full sized mattress would’ve been huge while he was growing up. Now that he was grown she was sure he’d take more than his share. She could fit, but only if she was snug against him. Given where her thoughts were heading, that was the worst idea on the planet.
Secret Bodyguard Page 14
