Bodyguard Reunion

by Margaret Daley

  T.J. didn’t waste any time. He scrambled to his feet, clutching the side of the counter to get his bearings then he hurried and switched off the stove and closed the oven. Mary lay nearby, and he picked her up. After carrying her outside, he checked to make sure Shane was still out and dragged Paul out the back door. In the corner, he spied Aaron slumped against the wall. T.J. had little strength left but managed to haul the teen to the doorway. Stepping outside, he sucked in a deep breath of fresh air, then continued with Aaron out the back and down the steps to the backyard—away from the house.

  When he returned to the kitchen, he used the cords on the blinds to tie Shane up, then pulled the man free of the house. As he headed to the front, he called the sheriff, explained briefly what had happened and requested some ambulances.

  With gun in hand, he rounded the corner to the front yard to find Zach tying up Vickie while Chloe held her Glock on the woman. When Vickie was secured, Chloe’s shoulders sagged slightly, but she still kept her gun at her side as though prepared for anything else.

  As he approached, she peered at him and grinned.

  “I’m glad you caught Vickie. I took Shane down in the kitchen. The gas was on. I turned it off and got everyone outside. The family was passed out on the floor.”

  Zach straightened, glaring at Vickie as he dragged her to her feet. “Why did you do this? Mary and Paul gave you everything.”

  “And they never let me forget that they took me in and saved me from bankruptcy. All my life Mary got everything. Paul. An important job. A big house and ranch. People who loved her. I always got her leftovers. When I was a child living with her family. When I was adult and had financial problems. I was tired of always coming in second and having to be nice or fear I’d be kicked out of the house.”

  Zach shook his head. “Mary and Paul aren’t like that, but you’re too full of hate to see the goodness in them.”

  “Look what they did to their own son. Shuffled him off to boarding school. They couldn’t be bothered to raise him and when he was home, I had to play mother because Mary was too busy.” Venom dripped from each word.

  “Keep an eye on her, Zach. I’m going to the backyard to check on Paul, Mary and Aaron.” T.J. grabbed Chloe’s hand and tugged her to his side.

  As they walked around the house, he slung his arm around Chloe. “When I heard a gun go off, I was so afraid you’d been hurt. It gave me the extra incentive to finish off Shane.”

  “Shane was helping Vickie?”

  “I knocked him out, but when he wakes up, we’ll see what his story is. Vickie had to have outside help. She may have put the snakes in the greenhouse, but Shane had to be the one who fired at us after the celebration. You know it was Shane that pointed us toward Bo Moore and his red pickup.”

  “I thought Vickie was interested in Shane. Obviously more than I thought.”

  T.J. rounded the corner and immediately found the couple and their son where he’d left them. Paul was leaning over Mary while Aaron stirred on the ground nearby.

  T.J. hurried to their side with Chloe next to him. “Are you okay?”

  Confusion clouding his eyes, Paul glanced up. “She’s alive, but still out. What happened to us?”

  “An ambulance and the sheriff are coming. Vickie had the gas on. I found you three passed out on the floor. Do you remember anything?”

  “Mary and Vickie were in the kitchen talking at the table. I came in to talk with Vickie about some discrepancies I found in the account books.” He looked to Aaron, who sat up, touching the back of his head and wincing. “What’s wrong, son?”

  Aaron brought his hand around and showed them his bloodied fingers. “She...hit me.”

  “Vickie?” Chloe asked.

  “Yes.” Aaron closed his eyes for a few seconds. “I came into the kitchen—saw my parents on the floor.” He peered at his mom. “Mom.” He started to get up, but collapsed back onto the ground.

  Chloe went to Aaron and knelt next to him. “She’ll be all right.” She glimpsed Mary moving her hand. “See. You need to stay put until the paramedics get here.”

  The blare of the siren echoed through the air.

  Before the couple and Aaron were taken away, T.J. squatted next to Paul. “Why were you looking at the books this morning?”

  “Zach told me there was something wrong. I thought I would see before we had to leave for Dallas. When I said that to Vickie, she smiled and agreed we should do it now. With what was happening, I thought she had probably added a few things wrong. She went to the coffeepot and poured a cup for me and refilled Mary’s, then sat to talk about the accounts.”

  Mary moaned. “The last thing I remember...” Her voice sputtered to a halt. She blinked. “...is you opening the books on the table.”

  “Yeah, you fell over as I was talking with Vickie.”

  “Did you drink some coffee?” T.J. noticed the paramedics coming around the side of the house, relieved help had arrived.

  “Yes. You think she drugged us?”

  “Probably. Was she drinking the coffee?” T.J. caught sight of Sheriff Landon right behind the EMTs.

  Paul frowned. “No, and she loves coffee.” He snorted. “I didn’t get very far going through the books with her before I must have blacked out.”

  “I guess she was going to use the gas leak to cover everything up. When it builds up, it doesn’t take much for an explosion.” T.J. stood and backed away as paramedics started working on the family and readying them for transportation.

  After making sure the Zimmermans would be all right, Sheriff Landon crossed to where Shane lay, trying to get free. The sheriff slapped his handcuffs on the cowhand. “You aren’t going anywhere. I’m taking you to the station along with Vickie. We have all day to straighten this out.” He hauled Shane to his feet, then looked toward T.J. and Chloe a few feet away. “I guess you two will have to stay around another day. When Mary, Paul and Aaron are taken care of, I’d like to see you two at the station, too. I intend to close this case once and for all.”

  “That you’ll be able to do. We’ll be there shortly. Tell your men to be careful in the house. Vickie had the gas on in the kitchen.” T.J. slipped his arm around Chloe.

  The sheriff tipped his hat, then strode with Shane toward the front.

  “If you hadn’t pulled over to talk to me about our future, we might not have made it back in time to save them.” Chloe nestled closer to T.J, turning her head up toward his and reaching up to kiss him on the lips. “Yes.”

  T.J.’s gaze gleamed with love. “Yes? To what?”

  “Yes, I’ll marry you. In the car before the sheriff called you, I was going to tell you I didn’t need time to think it over. But then the timing wasn’t right and possibly the timing isn’t right now, but I don’t want to risk any more time passing without telling you.”

  He bent his head toward her and returned her kiss. “I love you.”

  “Good because I love you, too. I don’t want to take a chance and lose you. Life’s too short, and if we love each other, we can work anything out. And I do love you. I’ve never stopped loving you. No man lived up to you in my eyes.”

  T.J. embraced her and swung her around. “It might have taken us a while to figure out we’re perfect for each other, but I’m not going to let you forget one day of our marriage how important you are to me.” He’d finally found a place to call home—anywhere with Chloe.

  EPILOGUE

  Ten months later

  “Is my husband busy?” Chloe asked T.J.’s secretary when she came into the office.

  “No, he just got off the phone.”

  Chloe crossed to his door and went into the room to find T.J. working at his desk. He looked up, and his dark eyes gleamed. A slow smile spread across his face as he rose.

  “What did the doctor say?” T.
J. covered the distance to her and drew her into his arms.

  “It’s official. I’m pregnant. In seven months you will be a daddy.”

  He beamed. “That’s the best news you could tell me.”

  She stretched up on her tiptoes and gave him a quick kiss on his mouth. “We need to celebrate tonight.”

  “A few minutes ago Paul called to tell me the verdict in Vickie’s trial came in. Guilty of murder and attempted murder as well as the arson at the theater. Paul saw Rob at the trial. He was still upset that he carried the woman out of the fire who was responsible for setting it.”

  “Vickie was wearing a good disguise. She was a bitter, sad woman. For years, her envy of Mary festered, and when the pranks started, she hatched this plot to finally get rid of Mary. She didn’t care if she took Paul and Aaron with her. She was set from embezzling money out of the Zimmermans’ accounts.”

  “I felt sorry for Shane. He loved her, and she used him. She’d planned to leave the country with the money she’d stolen, leaving him behind. She didn’t think he would say anything because he was involved, too. Actually, Vickie and Shane killed Bo Moore to set him up to be their patsy.”

  “With Lenny’s, then Shane’s trial a couple of months ago, that’s the last person involved in Paul and Mary’s harassment and attempted murder. It’s over.” Chloe inhaled a deep breath, the scent of lime aftershave filling her nostrils. She would always associate that smell with T.J.

  “Paul wanted to take us to dinner before he and Mary drive back to the ranch. I said yes. Okay?”

  The warmth of his look made her feel cherished. “Sure. We can celebrate when we get home. I want to share the news with them. If it hadn’t been for Mary and Paul, we might not be married today.”

  He cuddled closer. “Oh, I don’t know about that. After all, I came back to Dallas because of you.”

  “And it took you six months to figure that out. Is Aaron with them?” She would never tire of being in T.J.’s embrace.

  “No. He’s finishing up his community service at home. He can’t miss any school unless he’s sick. He’s staying with his pastor’s family until Paul and Mary return home tomorrow.”

  “Then all he has is four more years on probation until he turns twenty-one.”

  “According to Paul, Aaron has changed. He’s involved with learning how to run the ranch. Paul is, too.”

  “It took a tragedy to make them a family again.”

  T.J. bent his head and settled his lips over hers. “A lesson we need to remember. Not to let our work consume us.”

  “Nothing is more important than you and this baby.”

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from TRAIL OF SECRETS by Sandra Robbins.

  Dear Reader,

  Welcome to the final book in my Guardians, Inc., series, Bodyguard Reunion. I have enjoyed coming up with various stories revolving around female bodyguards. When I came up with this series, I wanted to showcase tough women who loved God and yet could be totally feminine when they wanted to. What a nice way to end the series, with a male and female bodyguard having to team up and protect a couple in jeopardy.

  I love hearing from readers. You can contact me at margaretdaley@gmail.com or at 1316 S. Peoria Ave., Tulsa, OK 74120. You can also learn more about my books at www.margaretdaley.com. I have a quarterly newsletter that you can sign up for on my website, or you can enter my monthly drawings by signing my guest book on the website.

  Best wishes,

  Questions for Discussion

  Trust is important in a relationship. Both T.J. and Chloe had a hard time trusting people because of the nature of being professional bodyguards. Has anyone caused you to distrust him/her? Why?

  Chloe was self-reliant, but when she and T.J. protected the Zimmermans, they both had to learn to depend on each other. Is it possible to go through life not needing anyone? Who do you depend on and why?

  T.J. was at a crossroads in his life. Have you ever been at a crossroads in your life? How did you resolve it?

  Chloe chose to stay in Texas rather than follow T.J. to Washington, D.C., because her mother was ill with cancer. After her mother got better, Chloe didn’t join him in Washington. Have you ever been afraid to make a commitment to something or someone? What did you do about it? Any regrets about your decision?

  T.J. was disillusioned by some of the things he saw as a Secret Service agent. Have you ever been disillusioned by someone’s behavior? How did you handle it?

  Mary and Paul Zimmerman’s lives were turned upside down when someone tried to kill them. When life seems impossible, what do you do? Who do you turn to for help?

  Aaron was angry with his parents and their busy work schedule. He sometimes felt isolated and alone. Do you have a teenage child? How do you spend time with them?

  The villain of the book was motivated by greed and jealousy. Sometimes it is hard not to want what another has. How do you deal with these dark emotions?

  Mary had a hard time believing someone wanted to kill her. She didn’t know how to deal with it. What would you do if someone felt that kind of anger toward you?

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense story.

  You enjoy a dash of danger. Love Inspired Suspense stories feature strong heroes and heroines whose faith is central in solving mysteries and saving lives.

  Enjoy four new stories from Love Inspired Suspense every month!

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

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  ONE

  From the first moment Callie Lattimer spotted her uncle, U.S. Federal Judge Dan Lattimer, waiting for her outside the security area at Memphis International Airport, she knew something was wrong. He barely kissed her cheek before he hurried her toward baggage claim and then to his car. As they sped through the night along Interstate 55 toward his home in midtown Memphis, the light posts on the side of the road appeared to fly by the car windows.

  His hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles turned white, and the muscle in his jaw flexed. When he glanced in the rearview mirror again as he’d been doing ever since they left the airport, Callie could hold her tongue no longer. “Uncle Dan, what’s the matter?”

  His body tensed further, and he cast a surprised look in her direction. “What do you mean?”

  “I can tell you’re upset. Has something happened I need to know about?”

  He shook his head. “No. I’m just a little preoccupied over a case.”

  Callie reached over and squeezed his arm. “You’re not supposed to be worrying about a case, not with your retirement a week away.”

  “I know, but old habits are hard to break.” He glanced in the rearview mirror again.

  “You’re going to have to break those old habits. I’m here to spend the summer with you, and I want us to enjoy our time together, especially our trip to Hawaii.”

  His forehead wrinkled. “We will, darling. I just have to get some things worked out before we can go. In the meantime, I’ve booked you a room at the Peabody. I think it would be better for you to stay there for a few days until I get this case cleared up.”

  Callie sat up straight and swiveled in her seat to face him. “What? I don’t want to stay at the Peabody. I want to stay at home.”

  “You will. Like I said, just give me a few days, then we’ll get started on our summer plans.”

  “But Uncle Dan...”

  “Oh, no!” her uncle exclaimed, his wide-eyed stare locked on the rearview mirror.

  Behind them Callie heard the roar of a car eng
ine as it pulled into the passing lane. She turned her head to look over her shoulder, but her uncle’s big hand gripped the back of her neck and pushed her face down to her lap as their car surged forward in a new burst of speed. Callie tried to wriggle free of the tight grip, but it was no use.

  The crack of gunfire split the air, and the glass on the driver’s-side window shattered. Uncle Dan’s hand loosened then fell off her neck completely, and the car swerved toward the road’s shoulder. Callie glanced up to see her uncle slumped over the steering wheel, his hand now hanging limply beside him. Before she could reach out to him, the car hit the highway guard rail, which folded like an accordion. Her air bag released and pushed her back into her seat as the car flipped on its side and plunged down a small embankment.

  The vehicle’s jarring stop knocked the breath from Callie’s chest, and she closed her eyes as dizziness engulfed her. After a moment she swallowed, opened her eyes and took a deep breath.

  Somehow the car had righted itself before it came to a stop, and she struggled to sit up in her seat. She turned her head to the side and gasped at the sight of her unconscious uncle behind the driver’s-side air bag. Blood poured down the side of his face. She pushed her air bag out of the way and fumbled to release the seat belt, but it wouldn’t open. “Uncle Dan!”

  She touched his neck, found his weak pulse and groaned. He needed immediate medical attention. Her purse with her cell phone inside had been next to her feet before the crash, but it could be anywhere in the car now. She swept the floor with her hand but couldn’t find it. She glanced back at her uncle, but he still hadn’t moved. Blood from his head wound covered the now-deflating driver’s-side air bag and dripped to the floor.

  She grasped the handle, pulled it back and shoved her shoulder against the door, but it wouldn’t budge. “Help!” she screamed. “Somebody, please help us!”

  The sound of raised voices reached her ears, and relief flowed through her. Just as quickly it turned to fear. What if the shooter was coming to finish them off? With them trapped in the car, they were perfect targets. Panicked, she shoved on the door again.