Colton's Secret Bodyguard. Jane Godman
passing second. “What was the real reason?”
“I wanted to make sure you were safe.”
When her family became overprotective, Bree bristled and fought back. It was a reaction to her childhood, when her parents had tried too hard to shield her from the effects of her dyslexia. However, in this instance, instead of Rylan’s admission provoking a similar response in her, it made her feel warm and comforted. Swaying toward him, she rested her forehead on his chest.
After a moment or two, he ducked his head to get a look at her face. “Are we okay?”
She nodded. “But you didn’t have to do that.”
The look he gave her was charged with so much electricity it almost threw her backward. Any doubts she may have had about his sincerity were gone. “Believe me, I did.”
How could she begin to explain it to him? No, Rylan, you didn’t. Because you had a place to stay. In my apartment. In my bed...
Changing the subject was probably a good idea. “Why were you in such a hurry to get me out here?”
“I wanted you to meet someone.”
Bree’s emotions went on a new roller coaster ride as he strode toward the passenger side of his car. Someone? After a minute or two, he returned with a leash attached to...a large mop.
“What is it?” She stared at the creature in fascination.
Rylan laughed. “This is Papadum. He’s a komondor, a Hungarian sheepdog.”
“I can’t tell which end is which,” Bree said.
“Well, they perform very different functions.” Rylan lifted the dog’s long corded bangs so Bree could see his eyes. The other end of the animal wagged. “I wouldn’t recommend getting them mixed up.”
Laughing, she stroked Papadum’s head. The wagging increased. “Papadum? Were you craving Asian food when you named him?”
“He was abandoned. The owner of an Indian restaurant found him in a dumpster when he took the trash out one night.”
“How sad.” Bree stooped to hug Papadum and the dog licked her cheek.
“See, you figured out the right end,” Rylan quipped. “That could have gone horribly wrong if you hadn’t.”
“Rylan!” Bree gave a choke of laughter. “Your dog is lovely, but why is he here?”
“Ah.” He gave her a sidelong glance. “I thought you might like to borrow him.”
Bree was regarding Rylan as if he’d gone mad. “You thought I might like to borrow your dog?”
“Hear me out.” From the look on her face, the outcome hung in the balance. Although she appeared bemused, there was a definite flash of something more dangerous in the golden depths of her eyes. “Papadum may look like Mother Nature’s idea of a joke, but he’s a great guard dog. He’s calm with strong protective instincts. He would defend his family with his life.”
“Apart from the fact that I don’t need protection, I live in an apartment and work long hours.” Bree looked at the dog, who was sitting between them, his dreadlocks stirring in the breeze. “Papadum is big. He looks like he needs plenty of exercise.”
“That’s where I come in. Bring him to the gallery each day and I’ll take him for walks.” She was still viewing him with suspicion. “And you’ll be doing me a huge favor.”
“How?” The single word was hardly encouraging.
“I have a number of rescue dogs. I’ve just taken in a new guy, and he’s unsettled the dynamics. Papadum could use some space from all the drama.” It was a white lie. Papadum was the most laid-back dog in the world. He wasn’t part of the problem, but Rylan figured Bree didn’t need to know that. “Plus, you get to hang out with the coolest canine in town.”
The dog chose that moment to wave one mop-like paw in Bree’s direction. “See?” Rylan said. “Papadum thinks it’s a good idea.”
“Why do I feel like I’m being manipulated? By both of you?” She rolled her eyes. “I’ll give it a trial. Two days. If it doesn’t work out, Papadum goes home with you.”
Rylan resisted the impulse to punch the air in celebration. Papadum would take better care of her than any sophisticated alarm system. “It’s a deal.”
“What does he eat?” Bree asked.
“That’s a whole other conversation.” He handed her Papadum’s leash. “We can talk about it later when we decide where you’re taking me for dinner.”
Before she could reply, a car pulled up next to Rylan’s.
“Clearly, I am not meant to get any work done today.” Although the words were spoken under her breath, the smile on Bree’s face was genuine as she stepped forward to greet the woman who emerged from the vehicle. “I wasn’t expecting to see you this morning, Mom.”
Audrey Douglas Colton was an attractive African American woman in her early sixties. She had medium brown skin, short dark brown hair with a hint of gray and glowing golden-brown eyes. It was obvious that Bree got her stunning looks from her mother.
“I had half an hour to spare before my volunteer shift at the community hub.” Audrey kissed her daughter’s cheek before turning to survey the dog. “Oh, my. Isn’t this amazing? What is it?”
“It’s a dog. His name is Papadum. He’s going to be staying with me for a while.”
Audrey’s gaze met Rylan’s for a second. He read the question in her eyes. This is your doing? He answered with a brief nod, and saw her features relax. Anything that kept her daughter safe was fine by her.
Bree linked her arm through her mom’s and steered her toward the gallery. “Believe it or not, I haven’t had coffee yet.”
Audrey looked shocked. “Are you ill?”
Bree laughed. “Just busy.”
Rylan held the door open for them. “I’ll leave you ladies now.”
“Oh, please join us.” Audrey placed a hand on his arm. “I’d love to know how my student protégés are getting on.”
He followed them toward Bree’s office with a feeling of disquiet. He liked Audrey a lot, but he wasn’t a good enough actor to sustain lengthy questioning on the subject of African American art. He hoped she’d remember he was a bodyguard playing a role and go easy on him.
Bree ducked into her assistant’s office to request coffee. From the squeals of delight that ensued, Rylan figured Papadum was having an impact on Kasey.
When they went into her office, Bree released the dog from his leash. Papadum immediately commenced a detailed inspection of the room. Bree took a seat at her desk and gestured toward two other chairs before turning to her mom. “How’s Dad?”
“Oh, you know. Worrying about the farm, as usual. While the rest of the Colton family is celebrating the unseasonably cold weather because it means the ski season could be extended, Calvin is concerned about the impact on his animals.”
“To be fair, that is his job,” Bree said.
Audrey’s smile was mischievous. “I know. But when I want him to admire the winter wonderland outside the farmhouse, it ruins the effect if he says, I wonder if I should move the calves to the south barn.”
Kasey entered at that moment, carrying a tray laden with mugs of coffee, cream, sugar and a plate of cookies. Rylan rose to help her, and she smiled gratefully as he took her burden from her and placed it