Legacy (Steel Brothers Saga #14) - Helen Hardt Page 0,58
night either, when that message had arrived.
I peeked into Joe’s bassinet. He was sleeping soundly. Then I walked upstairs to see who was at the door.
A large man—a very large man—stood in the entryway with Belinda. I froze in my tracks.
“This is Clifford Danes,” Belinda said. “He’s here to see Mr. Brad.”
Clifford Danes nodded at me. “Are you Mrs. Steel?”
I swallowed. “I am.”
“Nice to meet you. Seems I’m your new bodyguard.”
I lifted my eyebrows. “My…what?”
“Your husband hired me.”
“He did?”
“I’ll get Mr. Brad,” Belinda said. “Have a seat, Mr. Danes.” She motioned to the formal living room.
I stood in the foyer for a few minutes. Was I supposed to talk to him? This bodyguard? A bodyguard I didn’t want?
Or did I? I’d do anything to protect my child.
So instead of sitting down in the living room, I walked back through the hallway to the family room where Joe slept in his bassinet. That was where I belonged—watching over my baby.
I sat down and glued my eyes back to The Price Is Right.
I’d let Brad handle this bodyguard business.
I hadn’t slept well last night after all the commotion. Whenever I nodded off, Joe woke up. I closed my eyes.
“Baby?”
I jerked my eyes open. Brad stood over me, nudging me.
“I’m sorry to wake you, but there’s someone you need to meet.”
Right. My bodyguard. I peeked into the bassinet. Joe still slept soundly. “I can’t leave the baby.”
“Okay. I’ll bring him down here.”
A minute later, Clifford Danes stood over me. He was a few inches taller than Brad and even more muscular. The man was a mountain.
“We met,” I said.
“Cliff is armed with two weapons at all times,” Brad said. “He’s also a third-degree black belt in karate and a champion kickboxer. He’ll be living in the guest room across from my office.”
“Not right next to our room?” I said incredulously…and a little sarcastically.
“I thought you might want more privacy than that.”
“Thanks.” I resisted an eye roll.
Really, this was sweet of Brad to get protection for me and the baby.
“He’ll be your driver, as well,” Brad continued. “You and the baby aren’t to go anywhere without Cliff.”
I was too tired to argue. I simply nodded.
“Good. I’m glad you agree. Cliff, I’ll show you your room, and you can get settled in.”
I checked on Jonah. He was making those baby oinking sounds that were so cute. I laughed out loud. I’d have to tell Patty. She’d know if it really sounded like oinking. That meant he was waking up, and he’d probably be hungry. I pulled him out of the bassinet and kissed the top of his head. Then I inhaled.
Had anything ever smelled as sweet as baby Joe’s head?
Never.
Even the most fragrant flower in Mazie’s greenhouse couldn’t compare.
I unbuttoned my shirt and settled him in for his feeding.
The phone rang again.
“Miss Daphne, it’s for you,” Belinda called. “It’s Ennis Ainsley.”
“Okay, tell him to hold on a minute.” I situated Joe so he could still nurse and then got up to grab the extension in the family room. “Hi, Ennis.”
“Hey, love. Patty’s not back from shopping yet, so we may be late for dinner.”
“Wow. Is it dinnertime already?” I looked at my watch.
“We’re due at your place in a half hour, which means we need to leave now. She took off after lunch to shop.”
“Snow Creek isn’t that big.”
“You know Patty. She’s got the shopping bug. I expected her back at the hotel by now.”
“I’ll tell Belinda you might be a little late,” I said. “Let me know when you’re on your way.”
“Will do. Thanks for understanding.”
“Patty dragged me out shopping a couple days after I first met her. She’s a born shopper. See you soon.”
I hung up and sat back down, settling Jonah in for more of his feeding. “Belinda!” I called.
“Yes, miss?” She stood at the top of the small staircase.
“Ennis says he and Patty are going to be late for dinner. She hasn’t returned from shopping yet.”
“Okay. Not a problem. Keep me posted.”
“I will. Where’s Brad?”
“He’s in his office with the new bodyguard. They’ve been in there awhile.”
“Okay.”
Jonah had nodded off to sleep. I set him in his bassinet and buttoned up my shirt. Then I walked to the office to let Brad know about Ennis and Patty. I knocked.
“Come in.” Brad’s voice.
I opened the door. The bodyguard stood next to Brad, perusing papers on his desk.
“Hey, baby,” Brad said.
“Ennis and Patty are going to be late for dinner.”