Page 20 of Colton Family Bodyguard (Coltons of Mustang Valley)

“You’re going to help?” Hazel asked, going to the sink to wash her hands.

“I wouldn’t want to ruin anything. I’ll keep you company. I have nothing else to do until I make all your deliveries.”

“I make the deliveries. It’s good PR.”

“No, I’ll make them. You stay here, where you and Evie will be safe.”

She had spoken without thinking, distracted with getting ready to cook for a few hours.

“I’ll tell your customers Evie is sick and you sent me instead,” he said. “I’ll be charming. You won’t lose any business.”

Was he a good liar? She wished she could be there to hear him so she could make that assessment. Then again, she was never any good at detecting falsehoods.

While Callum made a call to Kerry to ask her to post an officer outside the inn while he made deliveries, Hazel decided to start with the pork chops. Brining them first, she felt Callum observing her work. While the chops soaked for thirty minutes, she moved on to the chicken and broccoli. Turning on the oven, she put the meat in a bowl, seasoned it and drizzled the cutlets with olive oil. All the while she contemplated picking up her conversation with Callum. She was beyond curious over what mistakes he had made. She knew there was one, probably a big one that he had trouble talking about.

She placed the broccoli on one baking pan and the chicken on another, then put both into the oven. Next, she began preparing spaghetti sauce, cooking the meat first.

“Mommy,” Evie called from the room. She must be finished with her bath.

“I’ll watch the meat.” Callum took her place at the stove.

Hazel hurried to the room and helped Evie dry off, giving her hair a rub with the towel. “Get dressed, honey.”

Evie went to the drawers where Hazel had placed her clothes and began digging through them. She’d make a mess and take forever to find something she liked. For the last year Evie had insisted on dressing herself. Usually she didn’t match very well, but she always looked cute.

Back in the kitchen, Hazel took over at the stove, Callum moving aside. He leaned his hip on the counter and again Hazel became aware of his more than casual observation of her. She resumed preparing the meals.

A while later, Evie emerged from the room, half skipping her way toward them, her hair an utter mess. In the kitchen, she stopped next to Hazel.

“Mommy.” She lifted the brush.

Callum stepped around Hazel and took the brush. “I’ll do it. Your mother is working.”

Picking her up, Callum took her to the other side of the kitchen island and sat her on a tall stool. Hazel had a great view of her as he began to brush her long hair. Evie brushed her Barbie doll’s hair at the same time.

“How long are you going to be with my mommy?” Evie asked Callum.

“I don’t know, Evie. It depends on how long it takes to catch that bad man,” he said, struggling with a tangle.

His big body and manly hands running the brush through a five-year-old’s hair touched Hazel for some reason.

“Are you and Mommy going to be friends after?”

Callum’s hand paused in brushing her hair. “Do you want me to be?”

Evie shrugged. “Are you working for her?”

“Yes, I am.”

“But you’re her friend, too.”

It was Hazel’s turn to pause in her task. Why had her daughter asked such a question?

“We just met yesterday, but yes, she is a friend.” Callum looked at Hazel with a grin, clearly enjoying this conversation. He began brushing again.

“Mommy needs more boy friends.” She tipped her head up. “I don’t have a daddy.”

“You do have a daddy, Evie, he just isn’t here,” Hazel said. Why was her daughter bringing this up now? She wasn’t prepared to have this talk so soon.

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