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Anna has already created a fissure in the ice around my heart without even trying. I’ll have to be extra careful with my plan if I don’t want to lose it in the process. “That’s excellent advice. What can I do to help?”
Anna finally turns around to speak to me, but her lips are turned up, and her beautiful green eyes are sparkling with an impish playfulness. “You can set the bowl of fruit salad on the table.”
The fruit in question is just to her left, and I decide to use that to my advantage. I come up behind her and brush my body lightly against hers as I reach for the bowl. “It would be my pleasure.” Her body shivers slightly at the soft sound of my voice against her ear.
She swallows hard and avoids looking at me, her voice cracking a little when she says, “Thank you.”
I wink at my mom, whose mouth hangs wide open, stunned by my apparent change of heart. There’s no way I can let her know my intentions because she would give me an ear full. She would tell me that I “should never play with a woman’s heart” or “love hath no fury like a woman scorned.” I don’t intend to hurt Anna, but if she’s up to no good, that’s the least of my concerns.
I’ve just set the bowl on the table when Anna pulls out her phone and then pockets it. She informs me that Jack, Jeremy, David, and Scott have arrived and should be here shortly.
None of those names ring a bell for me. “Who?”
Anna raises both eyebrows, clearly flabbergasted that I have no idea who they are. “Uh, your bodyguards? The ones you hired to protect you and Penny? Are you seriously telling me that you don’t know the names of the men you have entrusted the lives of your family to?”
When she puts it like that, I feel like a heel. “I thought their names were John, Harry, Derrick, and Steve. They don’t protect me, only Penny. I can take care of myself.”
Penny and my mom go to let the men in while Anna stares at me in disbelief. “Your mom briefed me on the threats you’ve been receiving lately, and you should always have at least one bodyguard with you. You may be able to take care of yourself, but having an extra set of eyes or two wouldn’t hurt. It’s what they get paid to do.”
I don’t know what to say. Anna sounds just like my mother, but her use of the word “briefed” isn’t typical verbiage. I would have expected her to say something like, ‘Your mom told me all about the threats.’
“Were you in the military or something?”
She shakes her head and squares off with me, taking a defensive posture, “I can honestly say I’ve never spent a day in the military. I have worked for others who have, though. Why do you ask?”
“Oh, no reason, just curious is all.”
One corner of her lip quirks up, “Hmmm. I don’t think you’re being forthright with me, Mr. Shaw.” She turns off the griddle and comes to stand before me. As she runs the tip of her finger down the lapel of my suit, I swear I can feel the heat from her touch through my fabric. “I haven’t lied to you once, Aiden. I never will. Can you say the same?”
She turned the tables on me, using a sultry tone that causes my body to shudder slightly. I don’t get the opportunity to respond because Penny returns with my mom and four large men in tow who are wearing Savannah Rockets jerseys.
“Look, Dad! They aren’t wearing those stuffy suits!” This is the first time Penny seems excited rather than despondent about having these guys around.
I raise a quizzical eyebrow because nothing about these guys screams “bodyguard” to me. What’s to stop someone from getting too close to Penny if they think she’s unprotected?
The one with brown hair pulled back into a ponytail points toward my mom, “It was her idea.”
Turning my questioning gaze to her, I wait patiently for her to explain.
“Aiden, I’ll explain my actions after breakfast. But for now, why don’t we just see how this works out for everyone? Penny seems happy, and what a person wears doesn’t affect their capabilities to protect someone. Just think of them as undercover bodyguards.”
I narrow my eyes at my mom and nod once. I intend to get to the root of this, and I have a feeling it has everything to do with the blond hair and green-eyed beauty staring at me with an innocent, doe-eyed expression.
Anna dishes up breakfast for everyone, and I have to admit, the woman can cook. It’s by far one of the best breakfasts I’ve ever had, but I keep that to myself. As I reach for a second helping of the hashbrowns, my mother chortles.
“Why do you never go for a second helping of my hashbrowns?” She palms her heart as if I hurt her feelings, which is the last thing I ever want to do. I’m not a “mama’s boy,” but I love and respect her dearly. We have a great relationship, even if we don’t always see eye-to-eye.
She doesn’t wait for me to answer and instead focuses on Anna. “Where did you get the recipe? They are quite tasty. I might even go for seconds despite the protest from my thighs.”
Penny nods her head vigorously in agreement and is about to add something, but I stop her since her mouth is full. “Wait until you’re done chewing, Missy.”
Anna fiddles with her napkin. “It’s from the mother of a dear friend. I recently stayed on their ranch for a few weeks, and she gave it to me. This is my first time making it, and I’m glad you like it.” I’m not fond of how she said, “dear friend,” and I try to keep the scowl from my face. Is she seeing someone? I’m not the type of guy to make a move on a taken woman, even if it would serve a purpose. Unfortunately, I never get the chance to ask.
Penny swallows her food and jumps into the conversation. “I love it! These are waaay better than Angela’s pancakes. Did you know that pancakes were invented by the Romans?”
Anna smiles adoringly at Penny. “I didn’t, but I do now! Did you know that the Guinness Book of World Records claims that the largest pancake ever made was more than 49 feet wide and weighed over three tons?”
“No way!”
