Guardian

“He’s protective. That’s a good thing in this situation,” Leo returned gruffly, glad that she had someone in her life that was willing to stand up on her behalf.

Everyone deserved a champion in their life. And the fact that it was her father pleased him for her sake. He didn’t have any good memories of his own father.

Leo put his hand to the small of her back and urged her up the steps. “Come on. Let’s get you two inside.”

True’s nails clicked on the wooden porch planks. They crossed the threshold and entered the house. The savory aroma of beef coming from a pot simmering on the stove made Leo’s mouth water. He hadn’t eaten anything since before his run that morning. The toast with almond butter and coffee had sustained him until now.

True sniffed the air and licked his chops. “Lie down,” Leo commanded. He’d retrieve True’s food supply after he settled everyone in the house.

The canine lay down across the threshold of the door, but his gaze remained alert.

A warm blaze in the brick fireplace at the far end of the room chased away the evening chill. Plush leather chairs faced a wide-screen television. Harmon sat in one chair watching a baseball game, the sound turned way down. Leo was thankful the shotgun was nowhere to be seen. Hopefully the weapon was locked safely away. Leo would have a chat with the older man about it later.

The living room was decorated with Western paraphernalia. A large wagon wheel with small flickering votive candles on the horizontal beams dangled at the end of a thick rope from the tall ceiling. Several woven Native American blankets in bright colors hung on the large walls, giving the space a homey feel.

Stairs led to a loft area filled with toys and where Leo assumed the bedrooms were located. To the left was a nicely appointed kitchen with blond cabinetry and a dining table with four lattice-back chairs.

“I’ll take Charlie upstairs for a short nap before dinner,” Alicia said in a soft voice.

“I don’t want a nap,” Charlie groaned, sounding eerily similar to his grandfather, though his yawn belied his words.

So cute. Leo melted a little inside.

Before Alicia could move away, Charlie reached out his arms for Leo, snagging him around the neck and making a deft maneuver from his mother’s embrace to Leo’s arms. Charlie nestled his head against Leo’s chest. Emotion constricted Leo’s breath. The slight weight of the boy barely registered, but the warmth spreading through his chest made him ache. He attempted to pry Charlie away but the child hung on.

“Charlie, honey, let go of Agent Gallagher,” Alicia said gently.

“Did you know that you grow when you sleep?” Leo asked the boy.

Charlie lifted his head and peered at Leo with doubt. “Really?”

“Yep. So every time you nap or sleep at night, you’re getting bigger.”

“I’m a big boy,” Charlie said, his little face serious.

Leo smiled as a tenderness he hadn’t experienced in a long time gripped him. “Yes, you are. But you want to keep getting bigger, right?”

With a solemn nod, Charlie extended his arms toward his mother.

Alicia took Charlie and set him on her hip. Her blue gaze held Leo’s. “Thank you.”

He winked. “You’re welcome.”

More pink heightened the contours of her high cheekbones. So pretty. He liked how natural she was as a mom and as a woman. She hurried upstairs with her son. Her long, lean legs moved with athletic grace, and her unbound, long dark hair bounced with each step. Leo watched them disappear from sight with a strange yearning that he didn’t quite know what to do about, then turned his attention to the man in the chair. “Mr. Howard.”

Alicia’s father swiveled his recliner toward Leo and eyed him with overt suspicion. “You didn’t answer my other question. What are you doing with my daughter and grandson?”

Leo braced his feet apart. These innocent people were in danger. He would do whatever it took to keep them safe. He couldn’t let history repeat itself. “Alicia and Charlie are in danger.”

Harmon jerked upright in his chair. “What have you gotten my family into?”

Holding up a hand, Leo said, “Alicia witnessed a crime.”

The man blanched. “What crime?”

There was no reason to keep the truth hidden. “A homicide.”

The older man sucked in a sharp breath. “Whose?”

“We don’t have an identity on the victim yet. I’m sure we will soon.”

Fear clouded Harmon’s eyes. “But the killer knows Alicia and Charlie saw what happened?”

Anxiety thudded in Leo’s gut. “Only Alicia witnessed the crime. The perp has already made two attempts on her life. He shot at her but she managed to get to the police station unharmed. And the other attempt was on the way out here. He tried to T-bone her car, but I blocked him with my SUV.”

Harmon ran a vein-lined hand over his bristled jaw. He was visibly shaken. “This isn’t good.” His scowl darkened. “What are you doing to protect them?”

Everything he could. He prayed it would be sufficient. “I’m here and will stay until the perpetrator is caught. You have my word.”

Harmon made a noise in his throat. “Why should we trust you? The last man who told me I could trust him with my daughter was a scoundrel of the worst kind.” He rose and stared down at Leo.

Leo imagined in his younger days Harmon Howard was a man to contend with, though now his shoulders were slightly stooped. Age was taking its toll on the man. Leo held Harmon’s gaze even as his mind grappled with that revealing statement about Alicia’s deceased husband. Again curiosity bubbled but he tamped it down. None of his business.

True scrambled to his feet, sensing the mounting pressure in the room. Leo gestured with his hand for True to stay put.

Lips thinning, Harmon growled, “I can protect my family. You and your dog can leave.”

“Not happening.” He couldn’t let anything happen to these people on his watch. “We can work together to keep your family safe or you can stay out of my way.”

Harmon narrowed his gaze. “Like to be in control, do you?”

Leo had heard that comment before. He couldn’t deny it. To be good at his job, he had to maintain control. The acrid burn of failure twisted in his stomach, reminding him he hadn’t been able to control the situation that resulted in Jake’s abduction.

Or in Leo’s sister’s death.

Harmon snorted. “You’ve got gumption, I’ll give you that. Better than that louse she married.”

Leo wasn’t sure how to respond to the older man’s pronouncement. Thanking him didn’t seem right. Whatever the man’s problem with Alicia’s late husband had nothing to do with Leo or why he was here. He would not get involved in the personal lives of his charges. “Do you have a problem with me staying here until we apprehend the suspect?” Though he’d have to clear this with his boss. Leo was sure Max would want him to keep these people from harm.

Seeming to consider, Harmon finally shook his head. “No. We’ve got a spare room you can use.”

Taking that as an invitation, some of the tension drained from Leo’s shoulders. He’d rather work with Harmon than work against him. True must have sensed the shift in Leo’s mood because he lay back down. “Good. You wouldn’t happen to have a map showing the ranch’s access points, would you?”

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