Page 44 of Not the Bodyguard's Princess
Andrew stood near the barbecue with the two Hastings brothers Jordan hadn’t met. The one with the baby in his arms had to be Alex. Adam joined them. All four were scrutinizing the meat.
“They’re formidable, aren’t they?” said a brunette by her elbow. “I’m Kimberly, Alex’s wife. The first time I saw them all together I nearly choked, but muscles always impress me. And those Hastings blue eyes? September needs to write a song about them.”
“Are you kidding? Every woman in the country would be after Adam. I’m not sharing.” September joined them, holding a lemonade.
Kimberly tapped her chin. “It would do wonders for Alan’s and Andrew’s dating lives. Could you imagine?”
“I imagine Elle not being happy. She needs more time for Alan to see what’s in front of him.” September sipped her drink. “Which leaves Andrew, and I can’t write only about his eyes. Nothing against Adam, but Andrew got the best hair of the group.”
Jordan silently agreed. Andrew’s slightly darker wavy hair made her fingers itch. It didn’t help that the object of their conversation was walking toward them, his blue eyes on her.
“Hey, I see you met Kimberly. Do you want to meet my other brothers?”
Jordan followed him across the patio.
“This big guy with the baby is Alex; the short one is Alan.”
“Hey, I’m only shorter by a half inch. Nice to meet you, Jordan.” Alan extended a hand. Alex nodded.
“We were just discussing y—” started Alan.
“Alan, not now.” Andrew tried to step between Alan and Jordan.
Alex put a hand on Andrew’s shoulder. The wordless-man-communication thing happened, and Alex won. “To be specific, we were discussing your security. One of our clients is hosting a ribbon cutting and gala for a children’s cancer ward this week. Andrew’s planned the security for it, and we feel it would be best if he were there. Ben, who is one of our team leaders, would take over in Wisconsin with your security. With Tonie on your detail, we feel they’ll do a great job.”
Andrew shrugged off his brother’s hand. “My plan is straightforward. They don’t need me.”
“I volunteered to go up, but September is performing at the gala,” said Adam.
Jordan tipped her chin and studied the four brothers. “Andrew, did you plan this before I disrupted your schedule?”
“Yes.”
“I assume your client trusts your expertise. Theirs is a prior commitment. If you feel Ben and Tonie can see to my security, then you should be here. You trust Ben, don’t you?”
“Definitely. He wouldn’t be a team leader if we didn’t,” answered Andrew.
Jordan used a smile she knew to be convincing. “Then you’re leaving me in good hands. I understand that I disrupted your schedule.”
Andrew narrowed his eyes but didn’t argue.
Adam stepped forward. “If you’d like, I can come up and stay until Thursday, since the gala is Friday.”
Tempting. She glanced to where September and Kimberly spoke with Jethro. September needed her fiancé more than Jordan did Andrew. “Thank you for the offer, but I’m sure Ben will be fine.”
Andrew studied her too closely, his brow wrinkling as he opened his mouth, then closed it.
Jordan tossed all the brothers a smile. “I will go join the girls while you guys finish the burgers.”
She turned to discover the women no longer congregating. September and Jethro were deep in conversation, and Melanie and Kimberly, nowhere to be seen, must be in the house. Determined to leave, Jordan headed in the direction of a large wooden play yard complete with a fort on top.
Andrew caught up with her as she circled the slide. “Tell me how you really feel about this week’s change in plans.”
“Did your father build this, or was it a kit?” Jordan spun around a fireman’s pole.
Andrew blocked her path, his arms crossed. “You put on your acting face back there. Why?”
Moving around Andrew, Jordan used the teeter-totter as a balance beam. “With what you’ve told me about your family, I’m surprised no one was killed out here.” When she reached the point when the teeter-totter should rebalance and send her downhill, it didn’t. Jordan looked over her shoulder to find Andrew standing on the seat end, arms crossed, an eyebrow raised. He was cute when persistent. Jordan jumped down and crossed to the swing. As soon as she sat down, she knew she’d chosen wrongly. Pushing off, she got in two good pumps, hoping a moving target was better than a sitting one. One more pump and she could jump clear. Strong arms wrapped around her waist, stopping her at the highest point of her backswing.
