Page 63 of Mistletoe and Malice
“Absolutely. I’ve never been matched, but I hope I get the call someday.”
Hopefully, God would answer that prayer as He had his request that Riley’s event be blessed with good attendance. The numbers so far had surpassed their goal, and extra testing kits had already been brought in.
Riley’s friends had come early, carrying platters upon more platters of cookies, and now sat at the registration table. Herentire office staff and her family had been there. Colton’s family made an appearance—for moral support as they were also still in the bone marrow registry—Gemma and even Valerie with little Landon in tow.
When Theresa’s parents, her brother, and his wife arrived first thing that morning in support of the donation drive with Theresa’s name on it, he took a few minutes to catch up with them before taking his post near Riley as potential donors began to arrive. Trevor and Paul were both tested before taking point on either side of the registration table, since nobody could get past without filling out the formal paperwork to be tested.
Colton had also prayed their guy would show up and fill out the paperwork. Name and address would be a great help.
A commotion in the hall had him rushing out the door. A man stood at the registration table, blocked by a six-foot-three wall named Trevor.
If Graham Harding’s glower could be considered a weapon, it was a good thing Trevor wore a protective vest under his shirt. “You can’t keep me from seeing Riley. She’s not the queen, for crying out loud. You’re all being ridiculous.”
His rant drew some barbed stares from the waiting patrons, and Colton himself had trouble keeping his disdain from showing on his face. What was with this guy? Did he not care at all that somebody out there was hunting Riley? A woman he professed to care about?
Colton approached the table, drawing Graham’s heated glare. “Paxton, let him through. I’ll walk him back.”
Trevor stepped aside, and Graham barreled his way past the table. Without a word to the other man, Colton turned and led him down the hall to the room where Riley still handed out cookies.
“Graham.” Her eyes widened. “I didn’t know you’d planned to come today.”
“I didn’t. But I apparently have to chase you down if I want to see you.”
Colton bristled at the man’s tone of disrespect and fought the urge to take him by the collar and throw him out. Riley deserved so much better.
Her face reddened as she turned to him. “Colton, can you give us a minute, please? I promise not to leave your sight.”
He scanned the large room and pointed to a far corner. “Over there. No windows.”
Harding rolled his eyes. “As if there’s a sniper set up on the roof across the street.”
Ignoring him, Colton held out his hands for the platter. “I’ll handle cookie duty.”
“Thanks.” She handed him the platter, and Graham grabbed her hand.Sorry, she mouthed over her shoulder as her so-called friend pulled her away.
The unhappy couple stood in the designated corner conducting a quiet but apparently intense discussion. Graham left soon after, and Riley returned to her cookie post.
Colton handed her back the half-full platter. “He’s not here to donate?”
“Uh, no. He was wondering if I was free for dinner tonight.”
“Riley, we need?—”
“I know, I know. You need forty-eight hours’ notice if I’m going off the estate. I invited him to the house instead, but he declined.”
“He looked upset.”
“He was a little, I guess.”
“Did he have reason to be?”
She offered cookies to two more people exiting the room. “He thinks he can’t see me with you guys around all the time, especially with you staying at the house.”
“Does he understand there’s somebody out there after you?”
“He thinks it’s somebody playing a joke, a hoax, and we’re taking it too seriously.”
Looking away, he shook his head in disgust. “I don’t get that guy. He says he cares about you, wants to be in a relationship with you, but he takes threats against your life as a joke.”
