Page 27 of Haystacks and Hoaxes

Great.He locked gazes with her. Thanks to Johnny, his morning had already started off weird and awkward.

She looked uncomfortable. “A few minutes ago, I received a text from one of the PIs down the hall.”

“Johnny Cuba, eh?”He sank into the chair behind his computer, carefully propping his cane against the edge ofhis desk. The guy sure hadn’t wasted time getting hold of her.

“He invited me to join y’all for Christmas. Like…at your brother’s place.” Her cheeks turned rosy.

He carefully schooled his expression. “Are you coming?”

She looked anxious. “Are you sure it’s okay?”

He wasn’t clear if she was asking about Christmas or getting something started with Johnny Cuba. He could only hope she didn’t mean the latter. “Sure. Why wouldn’t it be?” He pulled up the email Decker had sent him with her benefits paperwork attached to it. Opening the documents one at a time, he pushed the print button. The printer behind his desk whirred to life and started spitting out paper.

“Because I report to you, that’s why.” She leaned forward to prop her elbows on his desk. “I don’t want you to think I’m being unprofessional or anything.”

He reached for the first fistful of pages on the printer and swiveled back to his desk to sort them. “If you’re worried about it, you might run it past your brother. I’ve only been employed here a few months longer than you, so I’m still learning all the protocols.” After Gage’s warning to be careful around her, he was surprised his brother had approved Johnny’s request without so much as a heads up.

“I already did,” she admitted, making a rueful face. “I called Deck right after I read Johnny’s text.”

“And?” Rock slid the medical insurance enrollment paperwork across his desk toward her.

“He sounded relieved that I had a place to go. Apparently, his in-laws are hoping to have him, Chanel, and their only grandchild to themselves on Christmas morning.”

“Sounds like you have a couple of decisions to make.” He tapped a finger against the top form he’d printedout. “Whether you want to celebrate Christmas with a bunch of coworkers and a football game blaring in the background,” he paused to let that sink in, “as well as which of these medical insurance options will work best for you.” He explained the differences in coverage and copays.

“Wow,” she breathed, selecting one of the plans. “It’s going to be nice having medical insurance again. I dropped off my student coverage shortly after I graduated.”

Rock was troubled to hear she didn’t currently have medical insurance, especially considering how close she’d come to being injured yesterday. Twice. Three times, if he counted the road rage incident.

She moved her finger beneath the line she was reading on the form, looking a little dazed.

He cleared his throat before continuing her new hire orientation. “Your medical benefits will begin at the first of the year.” He wished it were sooner.

“That’s fast!” She didn’t look the least bit dismayed over the delay of two weeks and change. “I promise to be extra careful between now and then, considering how I’m a company asset and all.” Her voice was teasing.

“We’d appreciate that.” Impressed all over again by her grateful attitude, he made a mental note to ask her brother what it would take to start her medical coverage sooner.

Since Mila didn’t debate her benefits options for long, they finished early. “My first retirement plan,” she murmured, rubbing her hands together excitedly. “Step aside, world! Mila Kingston is really going places now!”

Her words made his protective instincts kick in again. She was so beautiful, full of life, and excruciatingly vulnerable. As a first step in using every resource available to him to keep her safe, he took her to the supply room to try on bulletproof vests. He held them up one at a time while sheshoved her arms into them, insisting she keep going until she found one that was a perfect fit.

“I hope this doesn’t mean you expect us to be dodging bullets out at Canyon Creek Petroleum.” Her voice took on a breathless edge as she zipped up the vest.

“Nope.” He tugged on his own vest. “It just means we’ll be prepared for anything and everything.” Until her medical insurance coverage started, he wasn’t taking any unnecessary risks. As long as they remained outside, her winter coat would conceal the bulkiness the bulletproof vest added to her outfit.

Mila glanced down with a rueful look. “I feel like the abominable snowman in this thing.”

“If it’s any comfort, you don’t look like him.” Rock winked at her as he angled his head toward the door. He was eager to get going.

Her assigned bodyguard accosted them on their way to the motor pool. “I’m Hawk Chesney.” The man’s dark gaze zoomed in on Mila. “The person who’ll be sticking to you like a cocklebur.” His blue-black longish hair and swarthy skin told Rock he’d probably been born and raised on the Comanche reservation next door to Heart Lake. He liked the guy’s first name and really hoped he would live up to it.

Mila rolled her eyes as they shook hands. “With such a big and tall cocklebur hanging around, does that mean we can remove our bulletproof vests?”

Instead of answering her, Hawk’s gaze moved questioningly to Rock.

“Never mind,” she sighed. “Clearly, I’m outnumbered here. I’ll content myself with dreaming up all the dastardly ways I intend to get even.”

“Atta girl!” Rock held back a chuckle as he texted the owner of Canyon Creek Petroleum.

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