Page 21 of Jealous Bodyguard

Stacey gives me a pleasing look, and for the second time today, it feels like if I don’t stake my claim publicly, I might well lose her again.

“Mr. Slade? I’m Stacey’s mom, Chloe. I came here by chance today and can assure you that nobody else knows what’s happened. And I have to say, thank you for bringing Stacey back…”

That look again, she even cocks her brow a little with the same defiance I see brewing in Stacey.

“Why don’t we all go inside?” Shulton declares. “I knew I picked the right man for the job!”

He glances at his wife for approval, looking to take credit for everything himself. But Chloe Shulton’s no pushover. She can see from the obvious change in Stacey that she’s spent the afternoon doing more than just being ‘rescued’.

“Come on, Slade!” Shulton calls cheerfully. “I think I have a fat check to write and… Well… Well, Chloe and I have some other news.”

* * *

Stacey’s parents'relief at seeing her home isn’t forced, but clearly, I’ve brought her home at an awkward moment.

The champagne set out for two. The obvious embarrassment they both share with a knowing look.

Looking more like a couple of sprung lovers even more than Stacey and me.

They share a sofa in the library, and Stacey takes the one opposite. My instinct is to sit by her, but I keep up the appearance of a hired hand and take a stance by the doors I close after we’re all in.

“I guess we have some explaining to do, Stacey,” her mom starts to say. But Stacey looks to me instead, which sees Shulton and his wife share a puzzled look.

“Wha- what’s going on?” Stacey smiles innocently, turning her attention back to her parents. They really seem more flustered at being interrupted now we’re inside. Stacey’s kidnap playing second fiddle to their own news.

My own news is scratching in my throat. The words I want to shout from a rooftop, telling the whole world that Stacey’s mine now. But Shulton beats us all to it. Blurting out his own good news but really just stating the obvious.

“Your mother and I are going to give it a second chance,” he declares, reaching for his wife’s hand that he leans down to kiss.

Stacey gasps as if it’s a surprise, and I have to give credit to Shulton. He can be sincere when he wants to be, and looking at him and his wife, it’s how I see Stacey and me.

How a man should treat his wife. No matter what happens.

“But what about-?” Stacey asks, stopping short of mentioning her mom’s other love interest.

Shulton recoils, but Chloe answers her daughter, sighing her reply.

“He left me for an Alderwoman…”

“I thought you were the older woman?” I butt in, everyone’s eyes snapping to mine. Shulton clicking his tongue before his wife calmly explains.

“No, anAlderwoman. She’s some department head with the local government.”

“Oh…”

Shulton’s quick to erase history, though. “Your mother and I are renewing our vows, Stacey. We’ll have the honeymoon I was too busy for as well,” he says with a tender look at his wife.

Stacey opens her mouth but closes it again. Catching on quick that if she doesn’t mention her kidnapping, then maybe her folks won’t either.

But I haven’t come here to gush over Shulton’s rekindled marriage. I’m here to announce my own wedding plans.

An ancient-looking telephone on a low side table rings shrilly, Shulton picking it up out of reflex.

“Yes? Oh! Well, let her in then!”

He hangs up, looking annoyed until he returns to his own good news.

“We’re leaving tonight. Now you’re home and you’re sure you’re okay, I don’t think we should waste another minute, do you dear?” he grins, shifting his gaze to his wife’s figure.

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