Kay Sidey Thomas - Bulletproof Bodyguard стр 4.

You have a beautiful home, Mrs. Burnett. How long have you lived here?

A little over eight years. She looked up from the registration book. This was my husbands family home. His greatgrandfather built it at the turn of the century.

Oh, so it doesnt date back to the Civil War.

No, she laughed softly. Although Im afraid the Chamber of Commerce wishes it did. They wanted to suggest that perhaps William Faulkner slept here. But the sad fact is nothing of historic significance has ever occurred at River Trace.

Except raising the Burnett family of course.

Her dimples reappeared.

So do you and your husband run the bed-and-breakfast?

Again, her smile faltered. No, my husband died almost four years ago. I run River Trace myself with the help of Bay and Luella Wiggins.

Now it was Marcuss turn to wince. Im sorry, I didnt know.

She shook her head and looked back down at the paperwork. Thats all right. Itit happens all the time. She stopped writing to look up at him directly. I know you dont know what to say.

Marcus nodded gratefully, feeling that he was definitely losing his social skills. He wondered what had happened to the husband.

As if reading his thoughts, Harris piped up, Daddy dwownedbut not in bathtub.

Cally gaped at the child in shocked surprise. Marcus groaned. No wonder his earlier comment about drowning had caused such an unusual reaction.

Thats right, honey. She recovered herself and held him close as she patted his back and looked into his eyes.

He lives in heaven with angels.

Um-hmm, she murmured, still staring into the boys face.

Lulu says so. Bay, too.

Thats right, baby. Thats right.

She gazed at Harris a moment longer, continuing to cuddle him and took a deep breath. He laid his head on her shoulder. Marcus shifted on his feet, uncomfortable with his eavesdropping. It usually wouldnt bother him, but in this case, it was extraordinarily awkward.

She seemed to sense his discomfort. Im sorry, I didnt realize he knew what that meant. I mean weve talked about it, but She stopped, blushed a deep pink, clearly at a loss for words.

Thats all right. Im sorry about what I said earlier.

Her forehead creased, About?

Aboutthe tub.

Oh, she nodded. You must be wondering after all this.

Her hand fluttered about Harriss back but her voice was cool and composed. My husband was in a boating accident. He was duck-hunting and putting out decoys when the boat capsized. His waders filled with water and he drowned.

Im terribly sorry.

I am, too. She sighed. But life goes on. She looked at the little boy in her arms and gave him a squeeze. Heres the proof. Harris giggled sleepily. Let me show you to your room. Its right up these steps. Marcus followed her to the grand staircase. Their feet were silent on the carpeted steps.

Your room was originally an attic when the house was built. At one time it was a nursery. Now its definitely the most secluded spot at River Trace.

At the top of the second flight, Cally turned left and led him past several rooms toward the back of the house. Her hair had come out of its pins and was trailing halfway down her back in ringlets. Marcus watched as Harris opened and closed his fists around one of the curls.

The outline of her bra strap was clearly visible through the wet shirt. It was lacey, pink and distracting the hell out of him. She turned right and paused at another landing.

I thought since you were going to be here a while, this would give you more privacy. You have your own bath and theres another stairway here if you prefer. It was originally a servants stairway. And if youve had a really long day She didnt finish the sentence as she pointed toward the antique one-man elevator.

It still works? he asked.

Cally nodded, opened a door and led him up a narrow stairwell. He could see how the location would have been perfect for a childs nursery.

We just finished getting it all together today.

Marcus stepped up into the room behind her. She crossed another oriental rug and sat Harris down on a wide window seat. As she leaned over to close the window, he got an unexpected but rather spectacular view of her butt in the water-soaked jeans. Her wet shirt had ridden up and he could see a line of milky-white skin along her back.

He caught himself staring, imagining the view under different circumstances. If she turned around without picking up the boy first, hed get a peek at the latest Victorias Secret had to offer. With a jolt he realized he wasnt paying attention to a word she was saying.

we painted earlier this week, but I wanted to make sure the smell was completely gone.

Marcus took in a gulp of air, attempting to clear the erotic images forming in his head. Hmm. All I smell is ahflowers?

Yes. Cally smiled, completely unaware of where his thoughts had been. That would be the potpourri. She nodded at a silver bowl on the captains desk to his right.

The bathrooms through here. She pointed toward the small hallway to his left; straight ahead was a queen-size bed flanked by small antique tables. We just moved the armoire in today.

He reassessed her as he took in the large cabinetry opposite the window. You moved that yourself? Up those stairs? He studied her slim build and tried to imagine her lifting the heavy antique. Even with a man helping her, it was a formidable job.

Well, Bay and I did. I couldnt have done it on my own. I cant imagine doing any of this without the Wigginses. Youll meet him and Luella tomorrow. River Trace simply couldnt run without them. Theyre amazing.

Id say so. He mentally struggled to get focused again.

Lets see. I need to get you more towels, and you need a brandy decanter. She ticked the items off on her fingers.

Excuse me?

Its a gift when you check in. Our special label. Homemade peach brandy. Not to be missed. She stared straight at himopen and friendly, but it wasnt a come-on. He knew that.

Facing him, she wasnt holding the kid. Marcus locked his eyes on hers and willed himself not to look below her neck at that transparent shirt.

Nowwhat else. Oh, yes. Since youre up three stories here, the fire marshal insists I tell you how to get out in case the stairway is blocked during a fire. She headed for the window seat.

Marcus swallowed hard when she bent over to pick up Harris and lifted the lid on the built-in seat. Her shirt rode up again revealing more of that creamy skin that he was suddenly very curious to touch.

Theres a ladder here, she said over her shoulder.

She reached for the jumble of metal and rope, and he realized he was staring again. He was going to get busted if he didnt stop. He reached around her, accidentally brushing against her shoulder.

Sorry, he muttered.

She startled. Thank you, she murmured, stepping aside. You attach it by those handles to the window and then you can ease down to the roof.

Where do I go from there? he asked, keeping his voice as neutral as possible. Touching her had been a bad idea, a really bad idea.

Cally turned to look at him with a sober face and sparkling eyes. You jump.