Page 27 of Daddy's Little Charmer
“You won’t regret this.”
Harmony tried to smile as he helped her to her feet. She snatched up the doggy bag.
They were silent as they made their way out of the restaurant. Christian’s car was at the curb waiting.
Harmony stared at the car they’d driven up in. “How did he know we were done?”
“A staff member calls him when we’re done eating.” Christian stopped at the car door Dover held open for them.
“I didn’t get a chance to introduce you earlier because we were in a rush. Dover, this is Harmony.” He looked down at her. “Baby, this guy’s name is Dover. He won’t go by anything else. He’s been with me for a lot of years, so I trust him to keep you safe.”
Harmony smiled and held her hand out. “It’s very nice to meet you, sir.”
Dover’s eyebrows went up. Few people wanted to shake the driver’s hand, much less show respect by addressing him with “sir.” He already liked her better than any other woman Christian had dated. The women in his boss’s past were high-maintenance, condescending, and didn’t give him the time of day. Half the time, he thought they hadn’t even seen him, even though he opened their doors and stood right beside them.
“It’s nice to meet you. Anytime you need a ride, you just call.”
Harmony’s smile grew. “That’s nice, but I’m good with public transportation. I don’t want to take you away from Christian.”
Dover looked horrified and glanced at Christian. He relaxed at the concern on the man’s face. Christian wouldn’t let that happen. “Well, I’ll just let you two figure it out.”
Christian started to lead Harmony into the back of the car.
“Wait,” she exclaimed and walked to a dark and closed adjoining storefront.
“Where are you going?” Christian asked as he followed her.
She kept her attention on the man lounging in the doorway, half asleep. She noticed he stiffened when she approached him, so she slowed down and stayed a few feet away, allowing him to feel more comfortable.
“Hi, sir. I wondered if you’d like to have the rest of my meal. It was excellent, but I just couldn’t eat a lot of it, and I thought it was a shame to throw it away.”
Harmony held the bag out to the man.
The older guy cautiously reached for it. He relaxed a bit when she took a step back.
“Are you a military vet?” Christian asked as he stopped beside Harmony and wrapped an arm around her waist.
“Yes, sir,” the man said politely.
“I thought so. I saw your fatigues.” Christian reached into his suit coat pocket and pulled out a card. “If you’d like some help of any kind, be it a job or a place to live, call that number. I have a program set up for the warriors who have protected our country.”
The guy looked down at the card and then back up. “Thank you, sir. I will definitely be calling. I’m a hard worker, but it’s not easy finding work when you have a bum leg.”
“Did you injure it in the war?” Harmony asked.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I’m so sorry. I really hope you let Christian help,” she said and patted Christian’s chest, indicating who she was talking about. “He is a good man who cares about people.”
“I will, ma’am. I can’t thank you both enough. I wasfeeling pretty down and lonely at the moment, but you two have saved … given me a chance at life.”
Christian reached forward and shook the man’s hand. “It’s us that should be thanking you for your service.”
The man smiled. Christian was taken aback at how young the man was. He would have bet he was around Christian’s age, but the man sitting in front of him was at least a decade younger. With his straight white teeth and wrinkle-free complexion, his age was apparent. When they had first walked up, the worry on the man’s face had aged him considerably.
“Please call. I’d like your help,” Christian said. “I always need good people in my business.”
The man saluted. “You’ll hear from me. Name’s Preston, sir.”
