Read Online Secret Agent Minister by Lenora Worth - Free Book Online Page A

That was certainly understandable, under the circumstances. He had to protect her. He’d done this kind of operation a hundred times over. He’d been assigned to escort important people before, had played bodyguard to ministers’ wives and children all over the world. But he’d never actually cared too deeply about those people, other than an abiding Christian love for his fellow man, and because of the pledge he’d made to protect human life when he’d joined CHAIM.
    But Lydia was…well, she was Lydia. Solid and sure, pragmatic and practical, cute and lovely, pretty and so very sweet. Lydia was the girl next door, the good and proper young lady, the person he considered not only a friend but a valuable member of his church and his staff.
    So when had he starting noticing things like her pretty, pouting lips and her soft, shimmering blond-brown hair? And those big hazel eyes, always changing colors like a kaleidoscope, so bright and trusting, so confused and questioning. When had he started wanting to get to know her on a more intimate level—all things Lydia, all things about her life and her hopes? How had he not seen the radiance of her smile before? And why did that smile tug at his heart so much now?
    It’s because you have to protect her, he told himself as he paced over the soft, faded fleur-de-lis patterned wool rug that covered the downstairs entryway, the sound of a saxophone warming up drifting around him. After all, close proximity always brought out feelings of protection, didn’t it? Being with another person so many hours of the day caused one to discover the most interesting things about that person.
    Such as that cute little mole on her right cheek. And her endearing dimples. And the way she lifted her dark eyebrows each time she doubted him.
    Which seemed to be a lot lately.
    Devon had to rein in all the emotions rushing through his system. Of course, he cared about Lydia. She was one of his flock. She was a dear friend. She was—
    “Beautiful.” The word came out of his mouth as he glanced up to find Lydia standing at the top of the stairs, a hesitant, scared look on her face.
    Her very different face.
    Her hair was now highlighted with soft hues of blond. Kissie had trimmed it into a long shag of some sort. Little wisps fell around Lydia’s face and across her brow. Her eyebrows, lifting now in another kind of doubt, had been shaped and trimmed to make them even more alluring and intriguing. She wore makeup, something Lydia rarely did. But it wasn’t too fussy or heavy. Just a little shimmer of glitter here, a bit of gloss there. The smoky hues around her vivid eyes made them look the color of rich bronze. Her whole look had changed to the point that not even he could have recognized her out on the street. That would serve their purposes, but Dev almost regretted this change.
    Except for the dress. Though modestly cut, the dress was over the top, even for Kissie. And it looked great on Lydia.
    “I can’t leave the house wearing this,” Lydia said as she traipsed down the stairs on her new high-heeled sandals. “If my daddy saw me—”
    “Your daddy’s not here,” Dev said in a husky voice, wishing he hadn’t even thought that. He had to turn around, take a breath. Pushing a hand through his hair, he struggled for control. Then he felt a hand on his shoulder. He whirled, ready to do battle. Then he let out a sigh. Kissie had managed to sneak up on him.
    “You’re losing it,” she whispered. “Get yourself together.”
    He nodded, turned to face Lydia, who was now on the bottom step of the stairs. She was getting as good at this stealth business as the rest of them.
    “I look awful, don’t I?” she said, tears welling in her eyes. “I’m not…this is not me…I don’t know if I can—”
    Dev glanced over at Kissie and saw the warning look in her eyes. He needed to say exactly the right thing. “Lydia,” he began, his words sounding shaky but growing firm with each