Page 1 of Deadly Protector
CHAPTERONE
“Think about what I said.” Amelia LeBlanc patted Zamira’s hand gently, the older woman’s eyes kind as they stood near the TSA line.
Typical airport noise surrounded them, someone on the overhead speaker asking a couple to report to one of the gates, parents telling their children to hurry up. Zamira tuned most of it out and nodded at her former mother-in-law before she scooped her kids up against her for one more hug.
They’d just turned thirteen and were leaving with their grandparents for their annual spring getaway. Elisa, who normally groaned at any affection lately, hugged Zamira back tight. Andres did the same and there was a hint of wetness in his eyes. “I’m going to miss you both.” She kissed both their faces, focusing on Andres until he finally laughed.
“We’re going to miss you too.” He adjusted his backpack and grinned, all hint of tears gone, which had been her hope with all the kisses. “And we’ll talk every day.”
“Yeah, Mom, this isn’t the eighties,” Elisa added with a hair toss. “We’ll be able to FaceTime every day.”
Zamira decided not to point out that she hadn’t been born in the eighties. “I know, but I still get to miss my babies.”
There was more grumbling, then her in-laws both hugged her and made promises to call or text each step of the trip so she’d know where her kids were and how they were doing. There was an innate gentleness in both of them. A kindness and caring that made it a lot easier to let her kids go with them.
She’d lucked out with her in-laws—just not with her long-deceased husband. She had no idea how her hotheaded husband had come from two such amazing people. The two lived on the outskirts of Kelowna in Canada, had a couple horses, and each year her twins spent time with them hiking, riding and all sorts of outdoor activities. Zamira normally went with them but the last couple years they’d gone alone and it had been good for all of them. She wanted her kids to experience the world, to gain a bit of independence, and to see how their father had grown up, to get a hint into who he’d been. Or who she’d thought he’d been. And she knew it was good for her to get some time to herself, to prepare for when or if they decided to move away for school. She hoped they didn’t go too far.
“Oh, sorry,” a man with a suitcase murmured as he jostled past her, his words and the movement jarring her out of her head. She needed to get out of here, to stop getting caught in a web from the past. Her life had changed the day her twins had been born—for the better.
And she was going to miss them. But like it or not she had two weeks to herself, so she was going to take advantage. Not be a sad sack.
As she left the airport, the automatic doors whooshed open and a humid breeze rolled over her—when an hour ago she’d needed a cardigan. Nothing like drunk Florida weather, unable to make up its mind. She slipped off her sweater as she made her way to the parking garage across from the terminal.
When she was about halfway under the concrete overhang, she smiled to hear her sister Angel’s familiar ringtone. Slipping her Bluetooth in, she said, “Hey. Checking up on me?”
“Nah. Just seeing if you’re throwing a party tonight. If so, I’m bringing cupcakes.”
“Ha ha.” Zamira sidestepped a woman lugging a big suitcase behind her and picked up her pace. There was a lot of foot traffic and she wanted to get out of here—before she changed her mind and hauled her kids back home. Not that she was considering doing that. Not seriously. Mostly not. “They’ve been looking forward to this since last year.”
“I can’t believe you’re letting them go for two weeks this time.”
“I know, but it works with their school schedules and they’re only missing a few days.” The twins’ school had a late spring break compared to some schools, in later April, and because the Friday before the break was a holiday, they were only missing three days total. “And I feel guilty because we’re not taking our normal summer trip, so I agreed to two weeks. They’re excited to get colder weather for a change.”
“Hey, I’m not judging. I’m going to miss the munchkins but I’m glad you’re getting some down time. I know Elisa has been giving you a lot of attitude lately.”
She snorted as she hurried up the set of concrete stairs, bypassing the elevators and a dozen people waiting for the next ride. Being a single parent was not for the fainthearted. “She’s eased up a little, surprisingly. I think Mama might have said something to her.”
“I have such respect for Mama now, raising the four of us.”
“No kidding.” A horn blasted from somewhere on the second floor of the parking garage as she reached it and she winced. “Sorry about the noise. I’m almost to my car.”
“No worries. So, you want to go out tonight? Or come over to our place?”
“Eh, maybe. I haven’t decided if I’m looking forward to the quiet of the house or dreading it.” She winced again as another horn blasted, but quickly slipped into her hybrid SUV and closed the door behind her. “I’ll let you know. I’m kind of out of sorts right now. Also…Amelia said I needed to start thinking about dating again, that I shouldn’t be afraid to see what’s out there. She was pushing me in that gentle way of hers, but she was definitely pushing.” She’d taken Zamira off guard.
“Man, I love that woman. You got so lucky with her. Thomas too. And she’s right. You’ve been alone a long time. Not that there’s anything wrong with it.”
“I love my life,” she said as she pulled out of the parking garage. “I’m so busy with my stuff and all the kids’ stuff. I don’t…even know when I’d have time.” Or if she even wanted to find the time. Lucas had burned her. Not intentionally, and she hadn’t realized who he’d been until he’d died, but knowing how blind she’d been to all his issues had shaken her deeply. Shaken how she viewed men, relationships—her ability to make smart judgments.
“Hmm, smells like bullshit.”
“You’re annoying.”
“Annoying when I’m right?”
“Ugh. Hey, hold on.” She quickly paid the parking attendant, then rolled up her window as she pulled out onto the road. “And yes, super annoying.”
“Clarita said something about one of your kitesurfing friends asking you out.”
