“Carson,” Poole said, shaking his head, “you’re human. Hell, we all are. If you feel something for this woman, good on you. And if we need to step up keeping an eye on her to keep her safe, we’ve got your back.”
‘Hell, yeah,’ and, ‘Fuckin’ A,’ rang out from the others. The tightness in his chest eased. Waving his hand to the side, he added, “Just to be clear, nothing is going on between me and Ms. Carnes. It appears she’s an innocent bystander caught up in a mission. The difference is she knows it’s a mission and is keen to help, mostly because she wants to make sure Maggie stays safe. For that, she’s got my admiration.”
“Then what do you need from us?” Adam asked. “We’ve already got eyes on the winery and parts of the estate. We can increase our security watch.”
“We can watch her, absolutely,” Poole agreed.
“Boss, I hate to point this out,” Bennett started, rubbing his chin, “but if she’s so anxious to help, do you think you’re going to be able to keep her out?”
Sighing heavily, he shook his head slowly. “I don’t know.”
The others remained quiet, and he finally admitted the decision he’d come to during the night. “I’m going to talk to her. Feel her out. See what she’s thinking about doing and then evaluate how we can best keep her safe when she’s with Maggie. And if there’s anything she comes across without actively searching, then I’ll agree.”
“I know you trust her, but is there anything else we should do?”
“Absolutely. I want her vetted. Do it this morning. Uncover everything. Bank accounts, loans, debts… we need to make sure the Garzas don’t have any connection or influence or way in.”
“Got it, Carson,” Jeb said. He turned to Bennett. “You on this with me?”
“Sure,” came the reply, and the two Keepers headed to their computers.
The others moved to pull up the Garza security for both California and Mexico. “We need to figure out where those trucks are coming into the U.S.,” Poole said, staring at the screen.
As they worked, Leo moved toward Carson. Holding his gaze, Leo said quietly, “You did good, boss. I’ve only got one other piece of advice. Tell Jeannie that you’re investigating her. If you end up with her, it's only fair that she knows you’ve already checked her out completely.”
Carson nodded, but so focused on what Jeb and Bennett were finding, Leo’s words moved right past him. Four hours later, Jeannie was given a clean vetting. She didn’t overspend and always paid her one credit card bill on time. She rented and had excellent credit scores. Her car was older and paid for. She had no student loans since the military had paid them off. Her nursing job paid well, and she had a small investment fund.
Not surprised but still pleased, he clapped Jeb on the shoulder, waved to the others, and soon found himself back in his SUV, heading down the road once again. Anxious to see her, he was glad to be alone, keeping the others from witnessing the goofy smile on his face.
Jeannie looked out her window for what felt like the twentieth time since Carson had called to say he was coming. He hadn’t implied why he needed to talk to her but, for once, he didn’t sound pissed, so she took that as a good sign.
Glancing down, she smoothed her hands over her shirt even though there were no wrinkles. Inwardly rolling her eyes, she was sure he was not the type of man to notice wrinkles. Pacing the floor, she walked past the window again. Finally, dropping her chin to her chest, she stared at her bare feet and sighed. I’m getting tied up in knots over this guy and he’s just investigating a place I’ve been. He’s not here for me. That thought disappointed her, and she tried to shove it to the side. Plopping down onto her sofa, she sighed again. It’s the way he looks at me… really looks at me. As though he’s trying to puzzle something out in his head. Squeezing her eyes tightly shut to block out the image of his face, all she managed to do was bring it to the forefront, making her palms sweat more.
It had been so long since a man interested her in a way that dominated her thoughts. At first, she chalked it up to his commanding personality. Then, she figured it was due to his single-minded desire to stay on target. Then, she thought it was because he was so dedicated to his business. But he charged in twice, just to keep me safe. Sighing again, she knew he’d do the same for anyone he considered to be in danger… or in the way of his mission.
The sound of a door slamming in the parking lot had her jerk her focus out the window. Standing, she peered out, her gaze landing on his tall frame. Short military haircut, brown with just a hint of silver. A trimmed goatee. Piercing eyes. And a body made for… well, probably made for a lot of things, but sex was the one that topped her list.
Before she could travel down that happy trail, she jolted when the knock sounded on her door. Racing forward, she flung it open, her gaze drinking him in. “Hi,” she said, aware that her smile was so wide her cheeks hurt. His gaze dropped to her mouth, and her smile faltered. God, he probably thinks I’m a loser.
“Hey,” he replied, smiling in return, and her heart skipped a beat.
“Would you like something to drink? Or eat? I’ve got water, tea, and beer.”
“Wouldn’t mind a beer,” he said, his smile still in place.
She moved to the refrigerator, her mind working overtime, wondering why he was smiling. He was so gorgeous that she felt it was imperative he should smile all the time but then realized she liked the idea of him smiling just for her.
“You okay?”
His voice jerked her back to the business at hand, which was getting them a beer and not squatting in front of her refrigerator, lost in thoughts of a smiling Carson. “Yeah, sure.” Standing, she handed one to him as she walked around the counter and into the living room. Choosing to sit on the sofa today, she gave him the choice to sit where he wanted. As he sat near her on the sofa, she hid her smile behind taking a swig from her bottle.
“I guess you’re wondering why I’m here,” he began, and she nodded. He rubbed his chin. “Would you believe me if I told you that I recognized you… from somewhere a long time ago?”
Her head jerked back slightly at the strange opening. “Um… I don’t understand.”
“It was in the hospital in Kabul—”
She gasped, never considering that would be his response.
He continued, “I was on my last tour when an IED took out part of the convoy. I was lucky, only a broken leg. Still, I got sent to the hospital. While lying there, a nurse came in. Talked to me. Calmed me down. Gave me hope.”
“Oh, Carson, I’m so sorry that happened to you.” Her brow scrunched, her lips pulled in. “But how do you know it was me? In Army scrubs, I’m sure many of us looked alike.”
“How many have your eyes?”
She blinked. For her whole life, people had noticed her eyes. Golden eyes. Cat’s eyes. Lion's eyes. Tawny eyes. So now, when he said he recognized her from her eyes, she believed him. Sucking in her lips, her gaze moved over his face, searching for a memory but coming up empty.
He chuckled and shook his head. “You wouldn’t remember me. I was just one of many you would’ve seen daily. Anyway, it would’ve been early in your tour.”