Page 35 of Protect and Serve

“It was Cade, wasn’t it? Cody? Damn it. I’m not a baby.”

“You know they love you.”

“They still think I’m fifteen. I don’t need a babysitter.”

“I can call Charlie and cancel, if you want.”

She was cruel and inhumane. Claire glowered at her. “Don’t you dare.”

“Then fine. Admit it. You’re planning to seduce him.”

Crap. She’d figured it out. “What? Me? Hah.”

Lisa gestured to the bowl of strawberries and the whipped cream Claire had demanded. “Really?” When Claire put out a lip in response, she continued. “Look, Claire, I’m not one of your Neanderthal brothers, trying to defend your virginity against all comers.” She paused, and winked. “No pun intended. If you want Charlie, I’m all for it. He’s a really great guy.”

Okay, that was nice. Except for the part where Lisa’s voice went all low and adoring and shit. “You’re engaged.” It seemed a good time to remind her.

Lisa’s response was a laugh. “I know. Don’t worry. I’m not lusting after him. It’s just…I really like him. And, if things work out between you, he’d be a great addition to the family.”

Claire narrowed her eyes. “Do you mean that?”

“I do. But don’t tell your brothers. It would be better to present them with a fait accompli.”

She hated it when Lisa spoke French—especially when it didn’t have to do with something edible. Claire had studied French in high school and failed miserably. “Well, it’s a bit early for all that,” she said with a wave of her hand. It was. They’d had one miserable date. It was crazy that she’d already started envisioning her life with Charlie in it.

Lisa shrugged. “It can happen pretty fast. It did with me and Cade. Sometimes…you just know when it’s right.”

“And how did you know?”

“Simple. I couldn’t bear the thought of living without him.”

Oh. Crap.

“Were you scared?”

Lisa pinned her with a gentle glance. “Yes. Yes, I was. There’s always the fear that you’re falling in deep and they’re just playing the field.” She waggled the stirring spoon. “Your best bet is to communicate about your feelings.”

“That sucks.”

“It’s not always easy. But it’s better to know. Are the two of you interested in the same thing? Are you heading in the same direction? I hate blindsides.”

Claire wasn’t sure which would be worse. Knowing for certain that Charlie didn’t share her growing feelings, or finding out too late that she meant nothing to him.

“Don’t look like that. I’m pretty sure he’s crazy about you.”

“How do you know?”

Lisa winked. “Because he’s willing to put up with your brothers. Not many men would go to those lengths for a woman if he wasn’t really interested.”

True. That was a comforting thought. Oddly enough. Her brothers, and their protective natures, had been the bane of her existence growing up. Would she really want a man who couldn’t stand with them, toe-to-toe?

“Well, we’ll find out for sure this weekend,” she said sticking her finger into the pastry cream Lisa set on the counter. Mmm. Raspberry. It was delicious.

“Find what out?” Cade asked as he sauntered into the kitchen with an armload of mail. He dropped it on the table and went to kiss Lisa.

Claire froze. “Um, find out if the show in Austin brings in more customers,” she said, grasping the first non-Charlie-related thought that popped into her head.

“I’m sure it will,” Lisa said with a credible nod. Her expression was hardly impish at all.