“Very true.” Darius liked the girl’s enthusiasm. “I suppose that’s part of what motivates you with your volunteer work.”
“Oh, you’ve heard of that.” Her words turned soft, and emotion radiated from her that was almost tangible. “It does motivate me because I know what it’s like to be in a dark place.”
“I’m glad we can help each other then.” Darius glanced back at his companions. “This is my bodyguard Joe Brooks and the young man is my intern, Noah Kelly.”
Mrs. Hernandez was staring at the tall black man, a crease between her brows. She turned a steely gaze on Darius.
“You need a bodyguard? Is my daughter going to be in any danger on this trip?”
“It’s simply a precaution, Mrs. Hernandez,” Joe said. “We recently did a similar trip to Ireland and had no problems. Just look at me as a strong helping hand.”
The mother looked at Eve who nodded. “I was on that trip too. Very uneventful.”
Mrs. Hernandez hesitated but finally let out a breath. Evidently Sophia took that as a good sign and threw her arms around her mother’s neck, and the panicked expression left the girl’s face.
“Nice to see you again, Joe,” Eve said to the bodyguard as they shook hands. She bumped knuckles with Noah.
“I assume everyone’s luggage is already loaded?” Darius asked.
“It is,” Eve said.
“Then let’s get Sophia’s dream trip started.” Darius skipped up the steps and waited at the open door as though he were the host, which he realized he was.
* * *
Eve held backwith Joe and Noah, watching as Darius interacted with the Hernandezes. He was gracious and welcoming.
And hot. She told herself to forget that last thought. Considering how she’d felt as she’d approached that first meeting, her feelings had sure flipflopped. She’d have to be careful about that or risk getting hurt again. Even without their history, wouldn’t their working relationship within the charity make any potential romance— She shut the thought down.
Eve did, however, notice that she wasn’t the only one thinking one of the guys was hot. Not based upon that look Sophia had given Noah. Eve decided she’d have to watch that, though she doubted it’d be a problem, not with Carmen there.
“Have you done a lot of research for this trip too?” she asked Joe when they finally took their seats on one of the plane’s couches.
“Did you do research for your Cong trip?” Noah asked, putting on his seatbelt.
“I like to know stuff when I visit a new location,” Joe said. “I’ve worked in a lot of places over the years, and it comes in handy.”
“He was a great source of information,” Eve said, studying Darius as he talked with his guests.
He’d always had an easy way with people. In high school she’d thought it had something to do with his family. Now, watching him, it seemed like perhaps it was just something he did well. She wondered what he’d been like as a teacher. How many of the girls had crushed on him like she had? Like she still did.
Sophia had turned to her mother and was standing very close, whispering. Eve wondered what that was about. She stood and went to Mrs. Hernandez.
“Can I help with something?” Eve asked.
“She doesn’t want to sleep in the same bed with me,” Mrs. Hernandez whispered, sounding irritated. “She says I snore.”
Before Darius came over to inquire about something Carmen thought was embarrassing, Eve took her arm and guided her to the section with the rooms that were like crew’s quarters on commercial lines.
“This is quite nice and even has a partition you can close so you have more privacy.” Eve pointed to a lower bunk. “It’s near your daughter’s room and not far from the restroom. I’ll be nearby, but the guys will sleep clear down on the other end.”
Mrs. Hernandez stared at it with pinched lips, but she finally sighed and nodded.
Eve patted the woman on the shoulder. “This is going to be a comfortable flight. Don’t worry.”
“We need to take our seats for takeoff,” Darius called.
Yes. She tried not to smile. Five days with him.
