“True.” Duncan gave a brief chuckle. “I'm not sure what’s holding me back.”
Jude had an idea. There was a verse in the Bible he’d heard during a few sermons over the years that spoke of it being easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven.
Perhaps that was what Duncan was struggling with. The idea of surrendering his wealth to God was probably daunting considering his substantial worth.
“I’ve just been thinking a lot about family now that mine is complete once again. More than complete because we’ve added Kiara, and hopefully Cole one day.”
“HopefullyCole?” Jude prodded with a grin. “You’ve certainly had a change of heart about that man.”
Duncan shrugged. “He’s proven himself. A lesser man might have run after I threatened him.”
A lesser man. Was that what he was? For not being willing to risk it all to be with Angela? That didn’t sit well with Jude, and he knew it wouldn’t be what his dad would want him to be.
The truth was, he hadn’t even given Duncan the chance to threaten him. There was a part of him that wanted to tell Duncan that he had fallen in love with Angela and that he thought Angela might have some feelings for him as well.
But even if he was willing to put his job on the line, did he want to put Angela in a position of having to choose between him and her father?
“I hope you know that I would respect your decision when it comes to a woman. That I would trust that you wouldn’t bring anyone into our lives that would negatively affect us.”
“I appreciate that,” Jude said, because he really did. “But it’s not a concern at the moment.”
“I just want to make sure you aren’t holding back because of your job here,” Duncan said. “And I know your salary is more than enough to support a wife and a family.”
“It is,” Jude said, trying to keep the image of coming home to his cabin to be greeted by Angela out of his mind. But now that the idea had been planted, it played out like a movie, with him even smelling the aromas of vanilla, cinnamon, and baked bread. Scents he’d come to associate with Angela.
“I could always get Elizabeth to set you up with someone,” Duncan said. “Just say the word.”
“Oh, that will never happen. I have a couple of friends who have tried that, and it’s failed. I’d rather not go that route again.”
“Well, download one of those apps and start chatting.”
The offer to set him up hopefully meant that Duncan really wasn’t aware of the current that flowed between him and Angela. Never in his life had he been so conflicted about something.
“I’m not keen on doing that,” Jude said. “I think I’m a little old for the people who use those apps.”
Duncan nodded. “I hear you. I just hope that you really are happy being single, and not wanting to be married and struggling because you can’t find someone.”
“I’m very content in my life,” Jude assured him. “Don’t worry about me.”
“Strangely enough,” Duncan mused. “I do worry about you. Maybe it’s because at one time in my past, your dad asked me to take care of you if anything happened to him. In some ways, you feel like a son.”
The words sent an unexpected warmth spiraling through Jude. “I didn’t know that, but that sounds like him.”
“So if you have any concerns, I hope you feel comfortable coming to me with them. And I don’t mean just work concerns. I’m talking about personal concerns too.”
Jude wasn’t sure what had prompted this conversation, and he wasn’t entirely comfortable with it. Still, he nodded because that would be the reaction Duncan expected.
But would he actually follow through and come to Duncan with concerns? Jude wasn’t sure he would.
“I would feel comfortable talking to you if I felt the need.”
Duncan studied him for a moment longer, then seemed to accept his response. "Good. Now, about security for the rest of the week—"
As Duncan shifted into work mode, Jude found himself only half-listening. His mind kept drifting back to Angela climbing those stairs, the vulnerable set of her shoulders, the way she'd looked at him when he'd called them friends.
The conversation with Duncan about family and marriage had stirred something uncomfortable in his chest. The image Duncan had unknowingly planted—coming home to Angela—felt both impossible and desperately desired.
He forced himself to focus on Duncan's words about patrol schedules and perimeter checks, but the fantasy lingered at the edges of his consciousness like a stubborn shadow.
