Page 12 of The Rough Ride

Derek gave a quick whistle and pointed toward the corner of the drapes. A pair of sparkly, little, pink heels stuck out at the bottom.

Nick nodded. Oh well. His hope to get through installation without meeting at least one of the kids was unrealistic anyway since three of them lived here. This encounter would make Derek’s day more kid-centric than it already was.

Nick focused on the logistics of the job. He’d been protecting people since the day he’d lost his mother. A military shrink would have a good time with that one if he ever dared verbalize it. Which he didn’t. Because he couldn’t change the past.

Why the hell am I thinking about this right now?He cleared his throat to get Derek’s attention.

Derek secured the sensor on the window molding. His boots knocked against the pink glitter shoes. Another giggle tumbled through the room. He put his tools down and pulled the drape back. “Hey now, what have we here?”

A little girl no taller than his mid-thigh stepped into the open space and spread her arms. “Ta-da. I’m a pink princess today.” Golden curls bounced around her cherubic face with huge blue eyes lasered on Derek. “Daddy said you’re here to stall new piscurity.”

Derek knelt on one knee. “That’s right. Your daddy wants his pink princess safe. What’s your name?”

“Natalie.” She took a deep breath. “I’m four. Ollie’s only one. Linzee and I are his big sisters. He’s asleep in Mommy’s office. She’s on the phone with Hilde. Hilde’s sick and didn’tcome to work today, so Mommy won’t go to her ‘pointment ‘cause Hilde’s our nanny. What’s your name?” She did an off-balance pirouette and landed in a fluffy heap at Derek’s feet.

“I’m Derek, and that’s Nick,” he pointed.

She glanced at Nick. “You’re big.”

He shrugged. “I guess I am. And you’re little.”

Natalie lifted her chin. “I’m bigger than Ollie. He’s a baby. I’m a big girl.” She returned to Derek. “Can you come to my tea party?”

He chuckled. “I’d love to, little princess, but I’ve got work to do.”

She turned toward Nick. “Can you come to my tea party? Mommy’s going to make cookies for it.”

“No, I’m working, too. Maybe another time. We’re here to get some things done for your mom and dad.” He’d better shut up before the nostalgic trip down nightmare lane started. How many times had his father told him he wouldn’t play games even if he’d had the time? The tension in his shoulders cinched tighter.Where the hell was her mother?

As if summoned by wishing, Angie’s Texas twang cascaded across the house. “Natalie, where did you go, you little monkey?” The brisk clip of heels tapped closer and stopped in the archway of the dining room. She waved a finger and Precious sat next to her. “Ah, there you are. I told you to stay near the office, honey. Just because I was on the phone didn’t mean you could wander off and get in the gentlemen’s way.”

Natalie hid her face behind the skirt of tulle netting and sequins.

“She’s no problem, Mrs. Richardson. She was just telling Nick and me about Hilde being sick and the tea party.”

“Did she now?” Angie glanced at her daughter and back at Nick. “I need to introduce you both to Oliver and Natalie infront of Precious. Our dog’s trained to protect the kids. Do you have a minute?”

“Sure, no problem,” Nick affirmed. If a formal introduction helped them navigate the house without the animal blocking them at every doorway, he was all for it.

“Come to Momma, Natalie.” She swooped the little girl into her arms with the practiced ease of a mother. “Here, Derek, I’m going to hand her off to you.”

Derek accepted the little girl from her mother’s arms. Precious barked and stood. Angie waved a finger at the dog, and the animal sat at attention. Angie put her hand on Derek’s arm and Natalie’s back. “See, he’s okay, Precious.” She left the child in Derek’s arms, walked around the room and then summoned the dog to Derek’s side for a good sniff. “Your turn, Nick.” She lifted Natalie from Derek’s arms.

“That’s okay. I won’t be working with the kids. I’ll be with your husband most of the time.”I’ll make sure of it.

“You don’t understand. Precious tore the pants off of a FedEx guy a few months ago when Natalie fell off her scooter in the circle drive. Beau works from home now and then. You’ll spend time here. I need to know that Precious trusts you.”

Well, okay then. He preferred his pants on his body rather than in the driveway. “Yes ma’am, no problem.” His heart thumped several errant beats. It couldn’t be that hard to hold a kid, although he’d never done it. He’d held rifles, injured animals, women, and ahh—the little girl was surprisingly light.

Natalie leaned back, scrutinized his face, and ran her small hand over his close, cropped beard.

“It’s kinda scratchy.” She scrunched up her face and giggled.

The air whooshed from his lungs. Up close, her blue eyes twinkled, and that sweet face bathed him in a rainbow of vivid expressions. This is what Liz wanted? As much as he was against the idea, he couldn’t blame her for wanting it. Holding Natalie was sort of nice. He’d give Liz anything she wanted if he could. But a kid?What if I hurt it?Even by accident. He couldn’t remember a time in his life when he was as wide-eyed and innocent as this child in his arms.

The cool, wet slobber from Precious licking his free hand pulled him back. How long had he been standing there? Angie was talking, but damn, he’d missed most of what she’d said. He set Natalie down and rubbed the dog’s head.

He looked around. Derek studied him as Natalie scampered into the kitchen with Angie and Precious.

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