Page 61 of Mistletoe and Malice
Being with Theresa had been simple. They’d been friends forever before settling into marriage. No skyrockets or fireworks. It was comfortable … uncomplicated.
Until it wasn’t. A gunshot wound and arduous, four-month-long recovery, followed by infertility, and then cancer had tried them to their very souls. But they’d been in it together to the tragic end. After which he’d told himself never again. He’d never again bind himself to someone so closely that life could be that painful. That he could be left so bereft at the end of it.
So, how, in less than two weeks, had Riley Hudson managed to penetrate his steel-plated heart? To get inside him, get him to open up, confess things to her, make him feel things he’d never wanted to again?
It didn’t matter that she was a beautiful, fun-loving, smart, caring woman any man would be blessed to be with. She had no place in his life. In his heart. None. He had to get that straight. Or he was of no use to her in the one way, the only way, he could be.
He needed to protect her. Take care of her. Keep her alive.
And then leave her.
Chapter Twenty-Six
With a sigh, Riley sank into the wine-colored sofa in the family room after the last of their guests had made their way out to the black cars waiting in the drive. “What a wonderful day.”
Her mother smiled and took a seat on the other end of the couch. “It most certainly was. You did a good thing here today, sweetie. Just like always.”
“It was the only thing to do. When I found out my guys had to be with me all day and go home to leftovers, how could I not bring their families to them?”
“Most people wouldn’t have done that. You’re a very special lady, daughter of mine.”
“If I am, I come by it naturally. You’re the one who taught me how important it is to give back. To never take what we have for granted, but to use it to better the world we live in. I got that from you.”
Mom stared at her for a moment. “How are you, honey? Holding up all right?”
Shrugging, she stared down at her hands crossed over her stomach as she sat slouched down into the cushions, the fingers of her left hand again twisting her ring. Around and around. Like the images in her brain. “If I don’t think about it, I do great. But the nights are the worst. I can’t sleep, and when I do, it’s only until the nightmare wakes me up again.”
“Oh, honey, I’m so sorry you haven’t been sleeping. I’m sure you’re praying about it?”
“All the time. And while my heart knows God’s in control, my head keeps reminding me there’s somebody out there watching me. Somebody who wants medead. I don’t understand that. What could I have done that someone doesn’t even want me on this earth?”
Looking away, she shook her head. “Truth is, I didn’t even know that until Colton made me realize what was going on. That morning at the table was the first time I truly understood. When I remembered that the attack wasn’t random but targeted. Now, every time I’m away from here, I’m watching like crazy. Today was the first time I couldn’t let down and enjoy the shelter dinner as much as I have in the past. I was jumpy and distracted. Colton even made me take a break because my mind kept drifting.”
“Colton’s a good man. I know he didn’t mean to scare you. He just wanted you to see what was happening. To not hold anything back from him.”
“I know. And he is a good man. A very good man.”
Mom’s gaze went to the stairs and back. “Where is he right now? I haven’t seen him since his family left.”
“He took his parents home instead of them going back in the hired car. I think he misses them.”
“That’s understandable, doing what he does. Probably takes him away quite a bit.”
Riley pulled off her tennis shoes and curled her legs up onto the sofa. “He told me today he’d just flown in from London the same night he started on my detail. How crazy is that? He’s like a machine.”
Mom laughed, kicking off her shoes to put her feet up on the coffee table. “I don’t know about that. He has too much heart to be anything but human.”
“Very true.”
He’d proved it in the way he’d taken care of her Saturday morning after her memory had literally made her sick. In the way he’d protected her after they found her house wrecked. In the way he’d treated the folks at the shelter today, and in the care he’d shown her when she couldn’t keep her focus on the task at hand.
She sighed. “What a neat family. I’m glad we got to meet them.”
“They’re very special. Easy to see why Colton’s the man he is.” Mom regarded her for a moment. “What do you think of Colton, Riley?”
Her pulse raced. “I just told you. I think he’s a good man. And great at his job.”
“I see. That’s all?”
