AllFreeNovel
Share Us
James strokes his chin. “If you promise to stay with your Secret Service details at all times, the rest of us can back off about everything else. We’ll let them assess your risks. They know what they are doing.”
“If I wanted to bring a date home?”
His eyes are locked on me – unwavering. He doesn’t react at all, but says, “That would be between you and your Secret Service agents. I’m sure they will want to vet someone, so a stranger is probably out.”
I nod. This is reasonable, and I understand the necessity of it.
He clears his throat. “I’m increasing your protection though.”
“What do you mean?” I ask. I don’t like the sound of it, that’s for sure.
“Four agents instead of two,” he says.
I lean my head back and groan. “Really?”
“You saw what just happened.” His voice is resolved. I know there is no fighting James when he talks in that voice.
I hold my hands up. “Okay. Fine. As long as everyone stays out of my business.”
I shoot my eyes over to Eli, and he shrugs.
James stands up and says, “I think that’s fair. We’ll let the Secret Service worry about your safety, and we’ll stay out of your business. However, if you sneak out or ditch your Secret Service agents, I will lock you up.”
I laugh. “I don’t doubt it.”
He walks over and hugs me. I’m careful not to squeeze to hard.
“I want everyone to know that I have a little surprise planned tomorrow after lunch,” James says changing the subject.
Will tilts his head to the side. “Oh mysterious.”
James looks around and says, “It’s been a really hard week. I thought we could use something positive.”
We all nod in agreement.
The next day after lunch, Olivia plops down on the sofa next to me and says, “The suspense is killing me.”
I laugh. “I know. He didn’t give us any hints, did he?”
Maggie pouts her lip and says, “No, and I was trying to guess all night last night. Nothing.”
“Maggie hates being kept in the dark,” Declan says.
“Me, too,” Zadie says. “James, when are you filling us in on this surprise?”
James checks his watch and then says, “Yeah. I think it’s time. I’ll be back in a minute.”
After he leaves the room, Keene says, “Okay, guesses about this surprise?”
“Pony rides,” Kip says.
“Inside?” Brooklyn asks.
Kip shrugs. “He could make it happen.”
“An ice cream truck,” Olivia says.
“Wouldn’t we follow him outside for that?” Will asks.
