Read Online The Bodyguard and Ms. Jones by Susan Mallery - Free Book Online Page A

she’d simply given. He believed love existed—he’d seen it. It just didn’t live in his world. He hadn’t loved anyone, and no one had ever loved him, except maybe his sister.
    She leaned against the counter and tilted her head to one side. “It’s lovely. Your heart beats fast, your palms get all sweaty.”
    â€œSounds like the flu.”
    â€œFunny. When I first met Nelson, I just knew he was the one.”
    â€œBecause you felt all tingly inside?” The question was meant to come out sarcastic, but instead he sounded curious. And he was.
    â€œActually, no. That should have been my first clue. With Nelson, the love grew more slowly. I was attracted to him because he was so different from me. His family has lived in Houston for three generations. He was stable. Until college, he’d never been out of the state. I thought he was the answer to my prayers. I was wrong on that one.”
    â€œI’m sorry.”
    â€œMe, too, but it’s done. I’m going to do the best I can with my kids. They’re going to have everything I didn’t. Stability, a sense of continuity. A chance to grow up in one place. That’s one of the things I like about living here. I know our neighbors, and they know us.”
    Mike had lived in his L.A. apartment for five years and hadn’t known even one of his neighbors. Of course, he was gone a lot, but even if he’d come home every night, he still wouldn’t have made friends with anyone. He preferred to be alone.
    â€œThis is a different world for me,” he said.
    â€œI’m sure it is. Minivans, schools, churches on every corner.”
    Damn. He’d forgotten. “Cindy, some lady came by while you were out and left you something.” Using the table for leverage, he pushed to his feet, then limped toward the foyer. The sheet of paper was where he’d left it on the hall tree. He limped back and handed it to her.
    She scanned the flier. “I’m glad she stopped by. I’d nearly forgotten.” She grinned at him. “I guess you don’t have any blood to spare.”
    â€œNot this week. Ah, Cindy, I didn’t think when she rang the doorbell.”
    Her eyes widened. “Oh, Lord, you didn’t pull a gun on her, did you? Was she about five feet tall, kind of round with gray curls and wearing a hat?”
    â€œThat’s her and no, I didn’t threaten her with a gun.”
    â€œThank goodness. Miss Vanmeter is one of the most conservative members of the church. She’s a spinster and not very forgiving of us `young people,’ as she calls anyone under forty.”
    He swallowed and leaned against the island for balance. “I’d just gotten out of the shower. I was shaving. I came to the door in my towel. I didn’t mean to flash the church lady.”
    Cindy covered her mouth with her hand, but he could tell she was giggling. “The woman won’t go to a movie that isn’t rated G. I’m sure she’d never seen a naked man in her life.”
    â€œI wasn’t naked. I was wearing a towel.”
    â€œIt was probably the highlight of her year.”
    â€œShe thinks we’re living together.”
    That sobered her up. “Oh, my. Okay. I’ll call the church secretary and explain.” She drew in a breath. “I’ve never been involved in a scandal before.”
    â€œThere’s more.”
    â€œThe towel fell off? She made a pass at you?”
    â€œI met Beth. She was standing in her yard while Miss Vanmeter was avoiding eye contact. We waved and said hello. Actually, she’s the one I thought about flashing.”
    â€œOh, I hope you didn’t. She would have enjoyed it too much.”
    â€œThat’s what I thought.”
    Light color stained her cheeks. Little lines crinkled by her eyes. He was close enough that he could inhale the faint scent of her perfume. He liked the fragrance, and the way her