Page 50 of Colton Family Bodyguard (Coltons of Mustang Valley)

Jessica prepared some paper plates, serving Evie first and then the men at the kitchen island.

Hazel sat at the table with Jessica.

Callum wasn’t very hungry so he knifed off one bite and set down his utensils.

“So, a bodyguard, huh?” Owen asked, picking at his food.

“Yes.”

“What’s your story? How’d you get into that profession?”

“I was a Navy SEAL before that and the opportunity presented itself when I left.”

“SEAL. Not many can make it through that training,” Jessica said, sounding impressed.

“No.” No point in denying it. SEAL training was beyond extreme.

“What made you decide to be a SEAL?” This question came from Hazel.

He hadn’t thought about that in a really long time. Growing up he hadn’t always aspired to be a SEAL. “I was an aggressive kid. Always getting into fights. Staying out late and ge

tting in trouble. I was never arrested, just kind of...wild. My last year in high school I wondered what I wanted to do with my life. Not follow my father. A friend of mine suggested the military. He had a good point. If I continued on my path of aggression, maybe I would have ended up in jail. When I was a kid, I would play with toy soldiers. The army didn’t appeal to me but the navy did. The SEALs always fascinated me. The challenge of becoming one satisfied my headstrong nature. So I tried out and made the team.”

“You were wild?” Hazel asked. “You’re so levelheaded now. So calm.”

“I thank the discipline of training for that. It changed my life.” The years he had been active had been enough. When he left, he was ready for something different. Being a SEAL had served its purpose. He had learned how to channel his aggression, put it to good use. Being a bodyguard continued to do that for him. He felt fortunate to have found his true calling in life. Not many people did. He would have been a lost soul if he had chosen to work an office job.

“You said you were staying somewhere together?” Owen asked.

“At the Dales Inn,” Hazel said.

“You’re staying with my sister?” Owen asked Callum.

“For her protection. And Evie’s, up until now.”

Owen glanced from him to Hazel and back again. “Are you sure there isn’t another reason?”

Was he being a protective older brother?

“Owen,” Hazel said in a cautionary tone.

“Are you seeing him?”

“What difference does that make?” she asked.

“So you are?” Owen looked at Callum.

“No. We aren’t seeing each other. He’s helping me, that’s all.” But Hazel averted her head, a dead giveaway that she wasn’t being completely truthful.

“Hazel has been through a lot,” Owen said to Callum. “Did she tell you about Ed?”

“She did.”

“So you understand she needs a man she can depend on.”

“Owen, stop.” Jessica laughed a little. “He’s always been protective of Hazel. Don’t mind him. I’m sure you’re a decent guy and wouldn’t hurt her.”

“I wasn’t there for her when Ed left her. That won’t happen again.” Owen said the last directly to Hazel.

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