Chapter 10
CHAPTER 10
Reid pushed to his feet, his hand tightening around his cell phone. “Are you sure?”
“As sure as I can be,” Rex said. “The windows are heavily tinted, but I’m almost positive he’s using a listening device, and it’s aimed at your cabin.”
“What?” Maliea stood and moved closer. “What’s wrong?”
He pressed a finger to his lips. “Checking it out now,” he said softly into the phone. Reid switched off the lamp on the nightstand, plunging the one-room cabin into darkness. He crossed to the front window and eased one of the blinds down far enough that he could peer out into the night.
As Rex had reported, a car sat on the roadside.
“I see it,” Reid whispered into his phone.
Maliea came to stand close to him. She leaned her body into his and peered through the gap in the blinds.
She smelled fresh, like shampoo. The T-shirt she wore did little to disguise the fact she wasn’t wearing a bra.
Reid’s groin tightened.
“Want us to pull him out for questioning?” Rex asked, reminding Reid of the situation outside the cabin.
Reid cupped his hand over his mouth and phone and whispered, “Get the license on the vehicle and call it in to Hawk. As for pulling him out, you don’t know what else he might have inside that car. He could be dangerous.”
“At the very least, we can shake him up and send him on his way,” Rex suggested.
“Do it,” Reid said. “I don’t like the idea that someone could be eavesdropping on us.”
“Going to do some movin’ and shakin’,” Rex said. “Out here.”
Maliea leaned close and spoke softly into Reid’s ear. “What’s happening?” Her breath was warm and soft against his skin, stirring desire to life in Reid’s veins.
He tried to focus on the vehicle outside the cabin, but to bring her up to speed, he had to position his mouth close to her ear and speak softly. “There’s a man in that car with listening equipment pointed at this cabin. ”
Maliea sucked in a startled breath.
Before she could say anything, shadows detached themselves from the bushes and eased up to the back of the vehicle. Moving in sync, the three men leaned against the back bumper and bounced the car violently several times.
An engine roared to life, headlights blinked on, and tires spun in the gravel. The car shot out onto the highway and sped away into the night.
The men stood still for a moment as if watching the disappearing car. Then, as one, they turned toward Reid’s cabin and hurried to the door.
Reid opened it as they arrived.
Logan, Rex and Jones entered. Jones closed the door behind them.
“Someone knows you’re here,” Logan said.
Reid wanted to pace, but the room was too small and full of people.
Maliea stood beside the bed, her gaze going from her daughter to Reid. A worried frown dented her forehead. “If we knew for certain they wanted the book, I’d give it to them, so they’d leave us alone,” she said.
Logan, Rex and Jones turned to Reid.
“I thought you said Professor Hasegawa’s journal went down with the plane he was in,” Logan said.
Maliea lifted her father’s book from the nightstand and held it up. “My father made my daughter a storybook using his research. It chronicles a young Hawaiian girl’s search for Redbeard’s pirate ship and the treasure he stole from Honolulu in 1884.”
“Did she find it?” Rex asked.
Maliea shook her head. “The book was a work-in-progress. My father left empty pages at the end. He wrote more as he came up with new adventures and clues. He was on his way to Niihau based on what he’d learned on Kauai. It takes time to get permission to visit the island. The residents aren’t very welcoming to outsiders. They never wanted to join the United States and prefer to be left alone.”
“Do you think the people harassing you are after the clues that will lead them to the lost treasure of Red Beard?” Logan asked.
Maliea shrugged. “I can’t think of any other reason my daughter and I have been targeted.”
His three teammates fixed their gazes on Reid.
“You need to bug out,” Rex said.
“And go where?” Maliea wrapped her arms around her middle. “I don’t have money for a hotel or food. I have to work. If I can’t leave my daughter and know she’s safe, I can’t work. If I can’t work, I can’t feed my daughter.” She raised her hands in the air. “Trying to stay a step ahead isn’t working.” She brushed her hand over her daughter’s head. “I’m worried for Nani.”
Rex met Reid’s gaze. “Take her to Hawk. ”
Reid’s brow dipped. “Take who?”
“The child will be safer on the Parkman Ranch, surrounded by their security system, Hawk and other members of the Brotherhood.” Rex nodded toward Maliea. “Both of you could stay at the ranch until the people following you are caught. I forwarded the license plate of the car to Hawk. I expect to hear back from him soon.”
Rex’s cell phone pinged. He glanced down at the screen. “It’s Swede.” He received the call and held the phone up to his ear. “What did you find?”
Maliea moved to stand close to Reid. “Who’s Swede?”
Reid rested a hand on the small of Maliea’s back and leaned close to answer briefly, “The technical guru for all of the Brotherhood Protectors. If it can be found on the internet, he’s our guy.” His attention immediately shifted back to Rex. Hopefully, Swede had something on the guy who’d been stalking them with his listening device.
The warmth of Reid’s hand at the small of her back gave Maliea a comforting sense of security. But that wasn’t all it was doing to her.
She liked how large and strong his hand felt through her thin T-shirt. It made her wonder how it would feel to have that hand pressed against her naked skin. A shiver of awareness rippled through her.
“Are you cold?” Reid asked.
Far from it . Heat rose up her neck into her cheeks. “No. I’m fine.” Like hell she was. She’d lost her husband in a plane crash not too long ago, and she was having lusty thoughts about a man she’d just met.
Did that make her a bad person?
Never mind, her husband had been sleeping with his Teacher’s Assistant for the past year, and they hadn’t had sex in all that time.
Maliea had thought that she’d lost all desire for making love since having Nani. She’d been too tired to even try after dancing at the luaus and events. Not that Taylor had initiated anything. She’d told herself their lack of a love life was because they were working so hard to make a living that they didn’t have time for each other.
Any spare time Maliea had, she spent nurturing her precious daughter. Her own needs always came second or third if Taylor wanted her to run an errand for him.
Reid’s hand remained on her back. Maliea didn’t move away or ask him to remove it. Her blood was smoking through her veins for the first time in a long time. And it felt good.
Thankfully, the man couldn’t read minds. How embarrassing would it be if he could?
Rex didn’t say much but listened for a couple of minutes before nodding. “Roger. Let us know what you find.” He ended the call and met Reid’s gaze. “Swede ran the license plate. It traced back to a rental car company at the airport. He tapped into their database and got the name of Mark Laster.”
Reid looked down at Maliea. “Does the name ring a bell?”
She shook her head. “No.”
Rex continued, “Swede ran a background check on the man. He worked as a bouncer at the Big Wave Dive Bar in Waikiki.”
Reid frowned. “Worked?”
“He applied for unemployment a week ago,” Rex said. “The reason he gave was that he was laid off. Swede called the bar. The manager said he fired the guy for being too rough with one of the customers. The customer threatened to sue the bar. The only way they got the customer to reconsider suing was to fire Laster.”
“Sounds like someone with anger issues,” Logan said.
“Someone who could easily trash two apartments,” Reid said.
Rex nodded. “Swede tapped into the Honolulu Police database and looked up the report on the two break-ins. They ran fingerprints against the national database. No match so far.”
“Does Laster have a criminal record?” Reid asked.
“No,” Rex said. “Swede’s going to keep an eye on when that car is turned in to the rental company. Hawk will send someone out to dust for prints. He wants to compare the prints in the car to the ones lifted at the apartments. Swede’s also tapping into Laster’s bank account.”
“Makes sense,” Reid said. “How does a guy who’s been fired afford a rental car?”
“And why would he employ listening devices to creep on a woman and her child?” Maliea asked.
“He was a bouncer,” Logan reasoned. “Would a jobless bouncer have the funding or the smarts to afford that kind of listening apparatus?”
“What reason would he have to follow the woman and child?” Jones asked.
Rex’s phone pinged again. “It’s Swede, again.” He answered, “Shoot.” He listened, nodded and said, “Interesting. I know you like to get all the goods, but feed anything you can find to us as soon as you find it. It might help us put the pieces together... Right... Out here.”
Maliea held her breath, waiting for Rex to give them anything they could actually sink their teeth into.
“Swede got into Laster’s bank account. The jobless bouncer received a sizable deposit three days ago from an offshore account based in the Cayman Islands.”
“Someone paid him to do their dirty work,” Reid said, his lips pressing into a tight line. “Was he able to locate the owner of the Cayman account?”
Rex shook his head. “Not yet. It’s some kind of a corporate account that’s buried in other accounts.”
“He couldn’t tell who authorized the payment?”
“No.” Rex pocketed his phone. “It might take time to wade through buried accounts to get down to the actual owner.”
“I’m glad Swede is on it. If anyone can wade through the bullshit, it’s him.” Reid’s hand dropped from where it had rested on Maliea’s back. “Right now, we need to get these ladies somewhere safe until we know a little more about who we’re up against. So far, they haven’t been physically attacked, but who knows how far Laster will go for the money he was paid?”
Maliea shivered. “Where can we go?”
“The Big Island,” Reid said. “Rex is right. You’ll be safest there. The Parkman Ranch has a state-of-the-art security system and plenty of people looking out for the owner and his daughter. It’s the safest place in the state.” He glanced at Maliea. “Are you good with that plan?”
Maliea wrapped her arms around herself, chilled despite the warmth in the room. “I want to keep Nani safe.” She nodded. “Yes, I’m good with that plan.”
Reid’s phone chirped. He received the call and lifted the phone to his ear .
Maliea watched Reid’s face, trying to guess what he was hearing based on his reactions.
“Hawk, did Swede give you a situation report?” Reid nodded. “Yes, sir. We can be at the airport in thirty minutes.” He ended the call and met Maliea’s gaze. “Hawk’s sending a plane. It’ll be at the Honolulu airport by the time we get there.”
Maliea looked toward her daughter, squared her shoulders and said, “Let’s go.”
The men helped carry her trash bag full of her belongings out to the SUV and stowed it in the back.
Maliea scooped Nani into her arms and left the cabin, followed by Reid.
He stowed his duffel bag in the rear of the SUV and opened the back door for Maliea.
Maliea settled Nani gently in her car seat.
Her daughter’s eyes blinked open briefly and closed again.
Maliea hoped Nani slept through the entire trip. Thankfully, her daughter was adaptable.
The drive across the island was made in silence. Logan led the way in Reid’s sports car. Rex followed Reid and Maliea in his SUV.
They made it to the airport without incident and drove to the general aviation terminal.
As they passed through the terminal and stepped out onto the tarmac, a plane taxied to a stop.
A set of stairs unfolded from the side of the cabin- class plane, and a pretty, dark-haired woman descended, followed by a broad-shouldered man.
Reid met the man halfway to the plane and held out his hand. “Hawk, glad you could get here so quickly.”
The man Reid called Hawk smiled at the woman. “It helps having a pilot in the family.” He looked past Reid to where Maliea stood, holding a sleeping Nani in her arms. “You must be Ms. Kaleiopu.”
“I am.” With her arms full, Maliea was spared shaking hands with the man.
Hawk turned to the woman beside him. “This is Kalea, my wife and Parkman Ranch’s very own pilot. Let’s get you two on board and back to the Big Island. I’m sure you’re tired and could use a good night’s sleep.”
Maliea nodded. “That would be nice.”
Hawk stepped around Maliea and Reid and took Maliea’s garbage bag, stowing it in the side of the plane along with Reid’s duffel bag.
Kalea smiled at Maliea. “You might want to let Hawk hold your daughter while you climb into the plane. He can hand her up to you once you’re inside.”
“I’ll hold her.” Reid stepped up to take Nani.
Maliea handed over her daughter and climbed up the steps into the plane.
Reid followed, carrying Nani up the steps and ducking low to avoid bumping his head .
Once inside, Maliea moved aside so Reid could settle Nani in the back bench seat. He buckled the seatbelt around her daughter’s lap and motioned for Maliea to sit on the other side. Once Maliea was seated and buckled, Reid sat on the other side of her child.
Nani tipped over and leaned against Reid. He adjusted her so that she could rest her head in his lap, smoothing a hand over her dark hair.
He was so gentle and concerned for Nani’s well-being that it warmed Maliea’s heart.
Taylor had always left Nani’s care and comfort in Maliea’s hands, taking care of himself first.
Maliea was sad that Reid couldn’t be with his daughter full-time. She couldn’t imagine the heartache he suffered being away from his little girl.
Kalea slid into the pilot’s seat, adjusted her headset and fired up the engine.
Hawk pulled the hatch closed and locked it in place. He pointed to the headsets hanging on a hook on either side of the back bench seat and motioned for Maliea and Reid to put them on.
Hawk joined Kalea at the front of the cabin, sliding into the co-pilot’s seat. Once he adjusted the headset over his ears, he gave Kalea a thumbs-up and settled back.
Maliea studied Kalea as she flipped through the pre-flight checklist. Her voice came over the headset as she called the ATC for clearance. They gave her instructions for where to taxi and finally gave her the go-ahead to take off.
Maliea hadn’t been up that often in an airplane. To be this close to the pilot, where she could see and hear everything she did, was slightly unnerving.
The plane sped down the runway, gaining speed quickly. Then it left the ground, and Kalea flew it out over the water, following the ATC’s instructions for altitude and vectors. Soon, they were heading for the Big Island, leaving the glaring lights of Honolulu behind.
Nani slept the entire way to Hawaii’s biggest island.
It seemed they’d barely reached their designated altitude when the ATC gave Kalea directions to land.
Maliea looked at the ground ahead and didn’t see an airport or a runway. Her pulse quickened. She’d just lost her father and husband in a plane crash. Were they headed for the same fate?
Reid reached out his hand and held hers, gently squeezing.
Maliea held on, glad for his reassurance. The man had been a Navy SEAL, which meant he’d flown so often it was like riding in a car or bus. He didn’t get nervous.
Clicking sounded in her headset, and suddenly, lights blinked, illuminating a runway ahead.
Kalea brought the aircraft down, kissing the earth so gently that Maliea barely felt the impact of the wheels touching the tarmac. She released the breath she’d held all the way down and inhaled deeply.
Reid didn’t release her hand until the plane came to a complete halt and Kalea shut down the engine.
While Kalea performed her post-flight checklist, Hawk left his seat and dropped the hatch, lowering the stairs almost to the ground. He left the plane and waited at the bottom of the steps.
Reid unbuckled his seat belt and Nani’s, gathered her into his arms and descended the stairs to the ground. No sooner were his feet firmly on the ground, he turned to extend a hand for Maliea, balancing Nani on one arm.
She took the hand and let him guide her to the ground.
Kalea followed Maliea. Once everyone was out of the aircraft, Hawk raised the steps, closing the hatch. He unloaded the trash bag and duffel bag from the storage compartment and locked the plane. He turned as a pair of headlights appeared at the other end of the landing strip.
A large black SUV pulled up beside them. An older man climbed out of the passenger seat, helped Hawk stow the bags and turned to envelop Kalea in a tight hug. “That’s my girl,” he said and kissed her cheek. “Safe and sound.”
“Oh, Daddy. Tell me you didn’t worry the entire time I was gone.” She shook her head. “I have over a thousand hours of flight time. ”
He nodded. “I know. I know. But I don’t think I’ll ever get used to you flying.”
“It’s safer than driving in Honolulu,” she pointed out.
The man nodded. “True, but I can’t stop worrying about my baby girl.”
Kalea’s lips twisted. “I’m not a baby anymore.”
“You’ll always be my baby,” her father said and turned to Reid and Maliea. “Are you going to introduce me to your guests?”
Hawk stepped forward. “Mr. Parkman, this is Maliea Kalieopu, her daughter Nani and Reid Johnson, one of our Brotherhood Protectors I’ve had positioned on Oahu since coming on board.”
Reid balanced Nani on one arm and extended his hand, firmly shaking the older man’s hand. “I’ve heard many good things about you and the Parkman Ranch. It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“Hawk’s guys are always welcome,” Mr. Parkman said. “The Brotherhood Protectors are an amazing group of men.”
Mr. Parkman turned to Maliea, his brow dipping as he held out a hand. “Ms. Kalieopu, please accept my sincere condolences for the loss of your husband and father.”
Maliea’s eyes welled with tears. This man was about her father’s age, reminding her of her loss even without his kind words. “Thank you, sir.”
“Come on, let’s get you to the ranch house so you can catch a few hours of sleep while it’s still dark.” He waved them toward the SUV.
Reid followed Maliea, carrying Nani as the child slept on his shoulder, barely stirring.
Now that they were on a different island, presumably safe for the moment, the stress and uncertainty of the day bore down on Maliea’s shoulders, making every step a struggle.
When she tried to get up into the SUV, she stumbled and would have fallen if Reid hadn’t reached out with his free hand and steadied her.
Once she had her feet firmly under her in the back seat, she sat and slid across, making room for Reid to get in next to her.
Hawk folded the seat forward and held it for Kalea, who climbed into the back. He climbed in next to her.
Reid locked the seat in place and slid onto the bench seat, settled Nani between himself and Maliea and secured her seatbelt around her.
Nani moaned and snuggled against Maliea. She slid her arm around her daughter and eased her over to lay her head in her lap.
Her heart swelled with the love she felt for her child. She truly would hand over her father’s storybook if it meant whoever was plaguing them would leave them alone. But would they? Or would they continue to stalk them, hoping they had more information than was in the storybook ?
Maliea couldn't care less about the lost treasure of Red Beard and wished her father had never heard of it. He’d still be alive if he hadn’t gone to Niihau that day, chasing clues. For all Maliea knew, he’d been on his way back with no more information than he’d started with.
The driver pulled away from the landing strip and took them to the main house on the Parkman Ranch.
Maliea had heard of the Parkman Ranch but had never been there. Even in the middle of the night, she could tell the house was huge, sprawling and amazing. The Parkman family had owned over one hundred thousand acres since the early 1800s. They were a primary source of beef for the Hawaiian Islands.
The driver pulled up to the front of the house with its massive double door. Lights burned over the entryway and inside, welcoming them with their warmth.
Maliea was so tired she could barely crawl out of the SUV. Thankfully, Reid carried Nani up the steps and into the foyer.
Once everyone was inside and the door closed, Hawk entered a security code into the panel on the wall. “You’re safe here. We had a security system installed throughout the main house, and we have cameras posted on the corners of all the buildings and outbuildings.”
“What if you want to get some fresh air or stare up at the stars?” Maliea asked, wondering if it was worth being so rich you weren’t safe to leave your home.
Kalea’s lips twisted. “We have a walled garden where you can get outside for fresh air. We don’t arm the system during the daytime because there are so many employees looking out for everyone, plus the cameras with a guard manning the monitors twenty-four-seven. Your room also has a balcony you can step out on without setting off an alarm.”
Maliea nodded politely. Was it a home or a prison?
“Come on, I’ll show you to your rooms.” Kalea led the way up a grand staircase to the second floor and down a hallway to the end. “I’ve put you in one of the suites with two bedrooms and a shared sitting room. Since Reid is your protector, he’ll want to be close enough to help you should you need it.”
Kalea pushed through a set of double doors into a beautiful room with beautiful wood floors, large, fluffy area rugs and a seating area big enough for half a dozen people. A door led off each side.
Kalea walked into one and flipped a switch, lighting the room from a beautiful chandelier hanging from the ceiling. The room had a king-sized bed decorated with a bright white comforter trimmed in a thick gold braid. The furnishings were modern yet comfortable, providing a peaceful haven .
Maliea eyed the bed, her body swaying toward it, ready to stretch across the mattress and relax.
Hawk appeared behind them, carrying the two bags. “If you’re hungry, Ule left ham slices in the refrigerator and a loaf of bread on the counter in the kitchen.”
“I can make sandwiches and bring them up if you’re too tired,” Kalea offered.
“No, please,” Maliea said. “You need sleep, too. Right now, I want to get Nani settled. If I get hungry, I’ll find my way and make my own sandwich. You’ve done so much for me already.” She smiled at the pair. “Thank you so much. I don’t know what I would’ve done without Reid and his team.”
Hawk slipped an arm around Kalea’s waist. “Just so you know, if you need to do anything and want to leave Nani here, she’ll be safe. Kalea and I will watch her.”
“Oh, I couldn’t ask you to do that.” Maliea shook her head. “You’ve done so much and been so kind. I don’t know how I could ever repay you.”
“You can do it by letting us look after Nani.” Kalea’s cheeks reddened, and her hand rose to rest on her belly. “We need the practice.”
Maliea’s eyes widened. “Are you…?”
Kalea nodded. “I found out today. You’re the first to know besides Hawk. I didn’t want to tell my father, or he would have grounded me and made you take the commercial flight in the morning. ”
“What did you not tell me?” her father’s booming voice sounded behind Kalea. “And why would I ground you from flying?” He entered the suite, his bushy brows forming a V over his nose.
Kalea turned to face her father. “Oh, Daddy, I didn’t want to tell you like this. I wanted to make a special dinner and break it to you then.”
Her father’s frown deepened. “You’re not leaving the ranch, are you?” He glared at Hawk. “You can’t take my baby away from the only home she’s ever known.”
Hawk held up his hands. “Sir, trust me, I wouldn’t do that. It’s a great place to raise children. I want our child to grow up here, just like her mother.”
“Damn right. When you two decide to settle down and give me grandchildren, they need to live here, learn to ride horses and appreciate their heritage.”
Kalea slipped an arm around Hawk’s waist and leaned into him. “We want our child to grow up on Parkman Ranch, just like I did.”
“Good,” her father’s frown eased. “As long as we all agree. Now, what’s this big news you didn’t want to tell me?”
Maliea almost laughed out loud. The man might run a multimillion-dollar operation, but he was missing the obvious with his daughter.
Kalea looked up into her husband’s eyes. “You tell him.”
Hawk dropped a kiss onto her lips first, then faced her father. “Sir, you’re going to be a grandfather.”
“Damn right, I am,” Mr. Parkman said. “Soon as you two get busy and give me a grandchild.”
Kalea shook her head. “Daddy, that’s what we’re trying to tell you.” A smile spread across her face. “We’re going to have a baby.”
Mr. Parkman stood for a moment completely gobsmacked, his jaw slack, his brow wrinkled. “Don’t pull your old man’s chain. This isn’t something you joke about.” His eyes filled with tears. “You aren’t joking, are you?”
Kalea shook her head. “I’m three months along. We’re having a baby in six more months.”
Tears slipped down the older man’s weather-worn cheeks. He brushed them aside and went to his daughter, pulling her into a tight hug. “Your mother would’ve been so happy.”
She hugged him back, tears welling in her eyes.
Maliea blinked back tears of her own. When she turned to look for Reid, he was behind her, laying Nani in the bed and tucking the sheet and blanket around her. He bent and pressed a kiss to her forehead and straightened.
When he turned to find her watching him, he grimaced. “Sorry. It’s a habit. I kiss Abby’s forehead when I tuck her in at night.”
“Please. Her father rarely showed her affection,” she smiled at him, then at her daughter. “I find it endearing. You know...love me, love my daughter.” When she realized what she’d said, her cheeks burned. “Not that I expect you to love me. It's just a saying. Forget those words that just came out of my mouth.” She turned away. “I’ll just slink back into the other room and pretend I don’t exist. How embarrassing.”
Hands gripped her shoulders from behind.
Reid turned her to face him. “Don’t be embarrassed. You’re tired, and you’ve had a rough few days. You’re allowed to be a little confused.”
She leaned her forehead against his chest. “Thanks.”
“I’ve only known you a short while, but I’ve already noticed that there’s a lot to love about you. Don’t sell yourself short. And don’t settle for a man who won’t show you and Nani the kind of love you deserve.”
Maliea looked up into Reid’s eyes, her heart beating faster, her chest swelling with appreciation for this man who’d taken up the gauntlet to protect her and Nani. Taylor never would have spoken words like that to her.
Reid was nothing like Taylor, and he was just what she needed at that moment. She had to remind herself not to get too used to him. He was her bodyguard, not her boyfriend or lover. When she and Nani were safe again, he’d move on to the next client.
Don’t get too attached to the man .
Reid pressed a brief kiss to her forehead. “Let’s get a sandwich. You didn’t eat your burger earlier.”
“Are you sure she’ll be all right?”
“She slept on the drive, the flight and the drive to the ranch house without waking. I think she’ll be all right for a few minutes. We can go down, make our sandwiches and come back up to eat them in the fancy sitting room if you like.”
Maliea nodded. “I’d like that.”
“Or...” he said with a dramatic pause, “we could eat them out on the balcony. If the stars are still out, I believe we’ll have a view of Mauna Kea.”
“I’d love that. I’ve never seen the mountain in the starlight.” Seeing it with Reid would make it even more special.
Careful, girl. You’re not looking for a man, and he’s not looking for a package deal.
No matter how much she coached herself, she couldn’t help the thrill of excitement coursing through her at the thought of star and mountain-gazing with the handsome Navy SEAL.
Maliea was getting in way too deep and far too fast. Had she been that starved for affection and attention?
Yeah.
And poor Reid just happened to be the first man to make her remember what it was like to fall in love.
She might as well get used to the idea that, when he left, he would have set a high bar for any other men. What were the chances of her, a woman with a small child, finding another man anywhere close to Reid’s caliber?
For the time being, she couldn’t resist his company and followed him down the grand staircase. She even giggled like a schoolgirl as they opened doors, searching the first floor until they found the kitchen. Wrapped in a blanket of care and concern, she would take all the scraps he was willing to throw her way until there were no more to throw. The man had awakened her to a world worth living in.