“Nancy made scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast. I hope you’re hungry.”
“I’m starved,” she admitted, taking the bacon to the table and setting the plates. “Do you have company coming? There’s an extra place setting.”
“I asked Jameson to join us. Since you’re headed to the ranch and he planned to take you later, I wanted to ensure your safety. You know, make the boy pee his pants a little, should anything happen on his watch,” her dad said casually as he helped himself to the eggs.
“Dad, you didn’t,” she exclaimed, taken aback by her father’s invitation slash scare tactic.
The doorbell rang, and Nancy went to answer it.
“This conversation isn’t over, Dad. I can’t believe you’d do such a thing,” she said, shaking her head.
“If you recall, I have always acted over protectively toward you. I’ve grown used to having you here the last few weeks, and it’s filled my heart with joy. I can’t protect you myself, but if he plans to take you, I expect he’s keeping an eye on you,” Thomas said firmly.
Jameson walked in and removed his hat. “Good morning, everyone,” he greeted, taking a seat beside Caroline.
She inhaled his scent of leather, fresh hay, and horses.
“Good morning,” she murmured, sending her father a warning glare. “I didn’t plan on leaving until later this afternoon. I hope you didn’t stop working to sit with me all day.”
“Your father called and asked me to join you because he has some questions about your security. Afterward, I thought we might take a swim in the heated pool. I turned the heat up a couple of days ago.”
Caroline froze. “I don’t swim. I believe I told you.”
Jameson took a couple of pieces of bacon, not bothering to glance at her. “Yes, you did. Victoria called me on the way to her plane to update me on your progress. She gave me a list of things to work with you on, and one of them involved the pool.”
Her stomach twisted into one big knot, and she dropped her fork.
When she rose halfway from her chair, Jameson’s hand caressed the back of her neck.
“Easy, Caroline. I’m a Navy SEAL. I can swim like a fish,” he assured her quietly.
Her gaze met his as she held her breath. His warm hand covered hers, lending her strength.
“Son, what do you have in place for security while she stays there?” Thomas asked, breaking the spell between them.
“We have security cameras and a team which patrols the area around the clock. In addition, she’ll be in the company of a CIA agent, a former FBI agent, a gunner, and two Navy SEALs. Doyou think she’ll cause us more trouble? Because I can always call for more backup if needed,” he teased.
Caroline nudged him with her elbow.
Thomas put his hands together, contemplating Jameson’s plan.
“You’ll stay with her the entire time?” he asked.
“I won’t be attending the baby shower. When I’m not with her, one of the team will be there,” Jameson answered his questions patiently.
“Ummm, hello? I’m not invisible, ya know,” she added grumpily. “Victoria has worked with me for two weeks for twelve hours a day, and you act like I’m ten.”
“Only because you’re precious to me,” Thomas took in stride her testiness. “I’m confident Jameson will ensure your safety.”
“Yes, sir,” he said, digging into his eggs.
Caroline glanced at Nancy helplessly, who smiled and winked before turning her attention to her breakfast. When they finished, Jameson placed them in the dishwasher while Caroline wiped down the table.
“All right, slugger. Let’s see what you can do in the pool,” Jameson said, guiding her outside.
The pool seemed to take on a personality of its own, and she recalled thrashing under the water while Cain held her down.
“Hey,” Jameson said, snapping her out of her memory. “I won’t let go of you. We’ll start in the shallow end.”
