Page 62 of Mistletoe and Malice
Laughing, Riley sat up, leaning forward with her elbows on her knees. “I think he’s a major hunk, if that’s what you’re getting at. And those eyes. He has the most intensely blue eyes I’ve ever seen. But other than having a whopper of a crush on the guy, he’s my bodyguard. That’s all I can think of him. He’s very much out of my league.”
Mom tilted her head, her brow furrowed. “In what way?”
“Every way. He’s very serious and probably thinks I’m too laid back. He’s worked hard for the things he has and the things he’s accomplished, and I know he feels I’ve been handedeverything on a silver platter. And he prefers blondes. I don’t think I’d look so great as a blonde.”
“Don’t change a thing about yourself. Not for anyone.”
“I wouldn’t. Not even for a very cute bodyguard-type person. Besides, he isn’t looking. Doesn’t have any intention of ever being involved with anyone again. Not after losing his wife.”
“I don’t know, honey. Everybody can have a change of heart. Maybe he just hasn’t met the one who can make him want to change his.”
Riley looked down at her hands in her lap. “Precisely.”
“Or maybe he just doesn’t know it yet.” Mom rose and walked over to kiss her cheek. “Good night, sweetheart.”
“Good night, Mom. Love you.”
“Love you more,” Mom replied as she started up the stairs.
Maybe he just doesn’t know it yet.
Could that be true? Was there any reason to hope he might one day see her as something other than a job? A body to be guarded?
Sighing, she sat back into the cushions, hands clasped over her stomach as she gazed up at the beamed ceiling. No. It was doubtful she had what it took to turn his head. To change his mind about his resolve. It would have to be someone truly special.
As special as Theresa.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
By all appearances, some would definitely receive the gift of hope for Christmas.
Colton did another pass down the line of folks waiting in the hospital corridor to register for the bone marrow donor drive. Once they’d completed the necessary paperwork and signed the authorizations, they would have their cheek swabbed.
Then wait. Like he’d been doing the past four years.
Back in the room where two lab techs administered the test, he found Riley having her cheek swabbed.
She smiled at the tech labeling her packet. “That was easy. Thanks.”
The young woman reached out to hug her. “Thankyou. I was a match for my brother two years ago, but there are so many who don’t have a good familial match. This event is going to change lives.”
With a nod, Riley moved away to let the next person take her spot. Since Tuesday, the girls had launched a major media blitz—radio ads, newspaper ads and articles, broadcast emails, interviews on two separate television stations, and every socialmedia platform there was. Apparently, many had been listening, reading, or watching.
He followed her back to the post she’d held all morning, handing out cookies and expressing her appreciation as folks left. She relieved Hallie of the platter and her assistant made herself available to the techs to label kits.
His gaze locked on a young man being tested who’d been staring at Riley almost from the moment he walked into the room. Not the creep, he ascertained after checking for any healing scratches on his hand. Just a guy staring down a pretty girl.
With his back to Riley, he stepped into the man’s line of sight and pinned him with a glare. The man’s eyes widened before he thanked the lab tech and left through the other door.
Riley’s brow crinkled. “That was weird. Nobody’s left without a cookie.”
“Probably avoiding sugar.” He stepped back next to her.
“Huh. Maybe.” She held the platter out to a woman exiting the room. “Thank you for coming today.” The woman made her choice, and Riley turned the platter toward him. “Here. You’re not avoiding sugar, are you?”
“Never.” He grabbed a chocolate chip cookie from the tray. “Thanks.”
“’Welcome.” She offered another to a woman with a thank you. “Did you get tested for Theresa?”
