Page 24 of Colton Family Bodyguard (Coltons of Mustang Valley)

“Hazel and I aren’t married,” he said.

Emily waved her hand in

dismissal. “You don’t have to get married to be a family these days. Look at Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn. They’re a model of how healthy families survive without being taken down by old traditions.”

Her refreshing outlook did little to calm his inner turmoil. Being a part of Hazel’s family would bring heavy responsibility. Callum would go crazy worrying for their well-being. His line of work brought plenty of danger. The people he protected clients against might go after his family to get to him.

Emily stepped closer and gave his forearm a few pats. “If you aren’t romantic with her yet, you will be. I’m good at reading people and you seem like a decent man. Unlike Evie’s father. Hazel says she won’t go for the gorgeous and rich types ever again.” She observed him critically. “You’re gorgeous, but I bet you aren’t rich. Bodyguards don’t make that much, do they?”

What did she mean by that? Hazel had told her she would never be with anyone wealthy?

“I don’t make millions protecting my clients, but I make more than average,” he said, not going into any details of the company that employed him—or the fact that he was a Colton. This woman was already making him talk too much.

“I better get back to Hazel and Evie.” He began to back off.

“Yes, I’m sure they are anxiously waiting your return. It was very nice to meet you, Mr. Colton.” Emily’s face sobered as though something dawned on her. “Colton. You’re Payne Colton’s son?”

“I am.” Maybe she wouldn’t be so quick to pair him with Hazel now.

“I heard about the shooting. Who would do such a thing? And how is he doing? Is he going to survive?”

“We don’t know yet.” Reminded of his father, he planned to go see him in the morning.

Emily’s mouth pursed as though mulling over something troubling. “What I said before about Hazel not seeing anyone rich... I didn’t mean...”

Callum held his hand up. “Don’t worry about it. Hazel and I aren’t together that way.”

“Are you working for her? She hired you? Is she in danger?”

“Evie witnessed a crime. I’m staying with her until the suspect is captured.”

Emily put her hand over her mouth with a sharp inhale. Lowering her hand, she asked, “Is she all right?”

“Yes.”

“Because you’re watching over her.” Emily smiled. “You might come from wealth but you’re not the same ilk as Edgar. I can tell.”

Right. Because she was good at reading people. Maybe that was true. When a person lived as long as Emily had, they grew wise. She had no magical insight. And Callum would not give credence to anything she had shared with him today. Even if he secretly wanted to.

* * *

Evie wouldn’t eat her vegetables. Hazel had neared her limit of tolerance just when Callum reentered the suite. She quelled the surge of gladness seeing him made her feel. Evie, on the other hand, did nothing to hide hers. She jumped off the chair and ran to him with a squeal and a loud “Cal-em!”

He bent as she crashed into him, tiny arms going around his torso, reaching his sides and no farther. Callum lifted her and carried her to the table.

“Mommy and I made cookies today. Chocolate.”

“Chocolate chip,” Hazel corrected.

“And we watched Frozen.”

“For the thirtieth time,” Hazel quipped.

“Hectic day?” Callum asked her.

Seeing his teasing grin, she said, “Evie wanted to go for ice cream. I’ve been arguing with her all afternoon. Now she won’t eat her vegetables.”

Callum put Evie down. “Why don’t you go do as your mother says? You don’t want to grow up short and puny, do you?”

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