Read Online Colorado Bodyguard by Cindi Myers - Free Book Online

wasn’t always so sure of himself, but who wanted to be better and stronger, at least for her. She tilted her face up to his, her lips full and slightly parted. It would be so easy to dip his head and kiss her, to find out if the desire that sizzled inside him was something she felt, too...
    â€œI...I’d better go.” She stepped back and focused on finding her keys in her purse. She ducked her head so that her hair fell forward, preventing him from gauging her mood, but his own face felt hot.
    â€œI’ll call before I stop by,” he said.
    â€œGreat. Thanks.” She moved toward her car and unlocked the door.
    â€œWhat’s that on your windshield?” He moved closer to study the white envelope with
Sophie
inscribed on the front in a looping, feminine hand.
    Sophie stared at the missive, her face as white as the paper.
    â€œWhat is it?” he asked. “What’s wrong?”
    â€œNothing.” She snatched the envelope from beneath the windshield wiper. Her eyes widened, and she swayed.
    Rand steadied her, his hands on her shoulders. “What is it?” he asked. “Do you know who it’s from?”
    She covered her mouth with her hand and shook her head, eyes glistening. “It’s from Lauren,” she whispered. “I’d recognize her handwriting anywhere.”

Chapter Five
    Sophie stared at the envelope, her name scrawled across the front in Lauren’s exuberant script. How many times had she seen that handwriting—on birthday cards and phone messages and reminder notes?
Sophie.
Six simple letters representing the first word Lauren had ever spoken, calling out to her now from the page.
    Rand’s arm around her steadied her, brought her back to the present, to the parking lot in the glaring sun, the wind tugging at her clothes and hair. “Let’s go inside and see what it says,” he said, and urged her toward the office.
    She let him lead her inside, where the captain, Emma and the others looked up. “What’s wrong?” Carmen asked.
    â€œSomeone left an envelope tucked under the wiper blade on Sophie’s windshield.” Rand led her to a chair and she sat, still gripping the envelope in both hands.
    â€œDid you see who left it?” Graham asked.
    Rand shook his head. “We were out there several minutes and we didn’t see anyone. Whoever it was, they must have dropped it off while we were all inside.”
    â€œIt’s Lauren’s handwriting,” Sophie said. “I know it is. I need to see what she said.” She started to lift the flap on the envelope, but Rand covered her hand with his own, stopping her.
    â€œLet me,” he said. “You don’t want to destroy evidence...just in case.”
    Carmen handed him a pair of gloves, which he slipped on. Then he slid a letter opener under the flap and carefully teased it open. “One sheet of paper,” he said, and showed the others. He tipped the envelope, and the paper fluttered onto the table.
    Sophie stared at it. “Tell me what it says.”
    Rand used the letter opener to unfold the paper and smooth it flat. Sophie leaned around his arm to see the words written there. “It’s Lauren’s handwriting,” she said again. “I’m positive.”
    â€œWhat does it say?” Emma asked, moving to stand behind them.
    Sophie scanned the words:
    Dear Sophie,
    Sorry I haven’t been in touch but I’m fine. Don’t worry. I’ve met my Mr. Wonderful and you know how happy that makes me. I’ll write again when I can. In the meantime, go home and don’t worry.
    Love, Lauren.
    Tears blurred the words; she blinked, trying to clear her vision. When she looked up from the page after reading the words again, she found Rand studying her intently, his expression both sympathetic and wary. “Can I read this to the others?” he asked.
    She nodded, and he read the brief message out loud.