Page 43 of Island Whispers

“Nina.”

“Most of the time I wouldn’t care.” A small fib. She worked hard to make sure no one had reason to gossip about her. For the most part, she’d been successful—until Boone had become a fixture around town. She plowed on, “My point is, if I’m pregnant, I’d like my mom to hear the news from me first. And it’s still a big if.”

He lifted one eyebrow, daring her to mention the stress theory again. “Then what’s your solution?”

One glance at his serious gaze and she knew he wasn’t going to let her off the hook or entertain more excuses. As much as she wanted to tell Boone they’d worry about it once Spratt was caught, that wouldn’t fly either. He’d kept her safe and calm throughout this crisis and she owed him for that alone.

“After dinner, we’ll go into Charleston and pick up a test.”

“And between now and then?”

She shrugged. She’d be up for anything as long as it didn’t revolve around discussing the future. “We’ll keep up the bodyguard and client routine.”

His eyes clouded over and she had the feeling she’d disappointed him. Again. She caught herself before she could apologize. She wasn’t even sure what she was doing wrong, only that neither of them was happy.

Chapter 12

Boone did his best impression of an average friendly bodyguard all through the early afternoon dinner with the Billings family. They didn’t hold hands, though they sat next to each other. Through it all, his heart and mind wheeled around the edge of panic.

Could he be a father? Did he want to be?

What he wanted was to know. To have the answers so they could make a plan. Nina didn’t seem to understand how badly he needed to have that plan in place.

He shouldn’t have to spell out why it mattered so much to him. He’d told her about his parents. But if stress or illness was the source of her symptoms he would be opening a vein and bleeding out his emotions for no reason.

Now he was buying into Nina’s denial. Her symptoms were clear and obvious.

Boone didn’t let himself be vulnerable without a damn good reason. Family was at the top of his list. The way he’d been wired from birth. His mom had told him that as a baby, he would cry when his dad rubbed her shoulders hard enough to make her wince. Protection was in his blood. These days, he was away from his sister and her family most of the time, but that didn’t change his convictions. He’d lay down his life for his sister and her boys, even her husband.

With impending fatherhood still unconfirmed, Boone knew he’d do no less for his child.

“You’re looking way too serious,” Jess said. She shoved a plate into his hands. “Have some of my famous baked feta. Cures a multitude of ills.”

He smiled at the woman who wasn’t exactly his boss. Not really his friend either, though he liked her well enough to build that bridge. Good thing, since they might become in-laws.

Whoa. That was a big leap. Even after last night, he had no faith that Nina would want him to stick around. She’d run away from him once already.

His shoulders twitched and Jess caught the movement. “If there’s news, you’d better give me an update,” she ordered under her breath.

He was half tempted to fill her in. The honesty might make him feel better, but Nina would be furious. If there was news, Nina should be the one to tell her family. He looked around, wondering how they would react. If they’d hate him or judge her.

He didn’t know her family well, but from what he’d seen, Nico and Roxy were good people. They had high expectations for their kids, but not unreasonable. A small part of him thought maybe they’d be happy for her—for them—even if the timing was out of step with typical traditions.

“Boone?”

“I’d never let you get caught off guard.” He tried a smile and considered it a failure when Jess jerked back. “I was hoping you might have an update. Nina’s getting tired of seeing me in her shadow.”

Jess scowled. “What’s really going on?” Her gaze darted to Nina and returned to him, full of concern. “You’re struggling. Is she too much? I can put someone else on her.”

Boone choked. No chance in hell he was letting that happen. She was his and the only thing that would change that would be Nina booting him out of her life. “That’s not necessary,” he said when he could speak again.

“It’s not a big deal.”

“No,” he said a little too firmly. “We’re good. It would just be nice to feel like there’s a light at the end of the tunnel for her. Her schedule was jammed when I came on board.”

Jess sighed, her expression softening as she looked across the yard to her fiancé. “They’re a bunch of workaholics,” she said fondly. Her attention whipped back to him. “You care about her.”

“She’s the client. My responsibility.” Jess didn’t need to know all the ways he currently felt responsible. “This persistent stress isn’t helping.”

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