Page 9 of Not the Bodyguard's Widow
“She’s gotten better since marrying Colin. Now she only uses a single layer. Next on my list is groceries. Write up a list, and I’ll go shopping.”
“Bodyguards don’t shop.”
“Part of keeping you and the little one safe is making sure you are healthy. I’ve seen the cupboards, and those survival bars are meant only for shipwrecked boaters. You are not desperate enough yet to eat them.”
“If I have a car, I can go.”
Alex weighed his next words carefully. “You could, but you look exhausted. I’ll go.”
“I don’t have enough cash.”
Alex pulled out his business credit card. “It’s on Candace.”
“But—”
“Sorry, remember, she is my employer. Write me a grocery list, or I’ll only buy pickles and ice cream.”
Kimberly stuck out her tongue. “No idea how that became a thing. I’ve wanted ice cream but not pickles.”
“Abbie craved orange juice and cracked-wheat cereal for about a week.”
“Breakfast foods don’t sound so bad.”
“No, she wanted them in the same bowl.”
Kimberly started laughing. Alex joined her.
“Oh, stop! Laughing hurts.”
He clamped his mouth shut and studied her for any signs of distress. “Bad hurt or good hurt?”
Kimberly rubbed her bump. “Not comfortable, not really hurting.”
“Still waiting for the grocery list. We need food.”
“We? You’re not staying here, are you?” Her voice tightened, all traces of laughter disappearing.
“I am staying in town, not at Art House. If you require overnight security, you get to choose a team from the available pool. Given your condition, I’ll make sure there is at least one female. We can’t protect you if you won’t work with us.”
Kimberly studied Alex for a long moment. “You are serious? You’ll let me choose?”
Alex nodded.
“Then let me write that list.” Kimberly dug through a drawer for a pen and paper.
Alex smiled, grateful his new client would not be as difficult as he thought.
5
The grocery listwas longer than it needed to be, but once Kimberly started writing, everything sounded good. The doctor had told her during her last visit that she was underweight and encouraged her to eat. At the bottom of the list, Kimberly added Brownie Sundae and Raspberry Bliss ice cream. She checked the list again, trying to remember if there was some food she was supposed to eat but had forgotten, before sliding it across the table to Mr. Alexander. “I think that is everything.”
“Salt and vinegar strawberry yogurt?”
“That should say chips comma strawberry...”
“You intend to eat them together?”
“My version of pickles and ice cream, I guess.”
