A Bodyguard to Remember Read Online Free PDF

and Boone switched on their best behaviour knowing that I wouldn’t take them into the restaurant if they weren’t well-mannered.
    Inside, the conversation revolved around the relative merits of the different dishes on the buffet. Boone, in particular, made a mission out of making sure Sarge tried all his favourite dishes. Hope rolled her eyes a lot, embarrassed by her brother’s hero worship. I was generally amused and forgot, for a little while, how we came to meet Sergeant Merrick.
    The jacket stayed on, but he loosened his tie and undid his top button. If you ignored the gun, Merrick almost looked like a regular guy. Well, maybe not regular. He was taller, broader, and more muscular than your average regular guy. Boone made him laugh and laughter transformed him from Mr. Spock to Captain Kirk—not that he looked like either. He did remind me of someone in the Trek Universe, however. I just hadn’t placed it yet.
    When it was clear that Zeke wouldn’t be joining us, we got takeout for him. At this point the kids were getting tired, and so was I for that matter. It wasn’t that late, but none of us had slept well the night before and the stress was catching up with us. We crowded into the car. Hope and Boone were quiet and dozed off almost immediately.
    “Zeke and I will be staying in the hotel,” Merrick said, speaking softly. “We have a room next to yours.”
    I nodded. I was glad they would be close, but I didn’t trust my voice to comment. I had automatically started towards home and had to rethink my route. This started with crossing a couple of lanes quickly to make my turn. That’s when I noticed we were being followed. I looked back to confirm, then over to Merrick. He was turned in his seat just enough to be able to watch me and the road.
    “It’s okay,” he said. “It’s one of ours. Well spotted.” He took a deep breath as if steeling himself to say something unpleasant. “Until this matter is settled, you’ll be protected, but you’ll need to do your bit. To start, don’t let your children answer the door.”
    My turn to take a deep breath, or maybe it was a gasp.
    The car slowed as my foot slid off the accelerator. We were on an uphill grade and I felt the groan of the transmission starting to lock up. Gearing down, I avoided stalling and regained control, if not all my composure.
    “I-I didn’t even think . . .” I said, visions of kidnapping popping into my head. I could just imagine me telling Seth that I lost one or both of our kids because I let them open the door to an international spy. What I couldn’t imagine was how I’d be able to live with myself if something happened to my babies.
    Merrick patted my shoulder. It was warm, heavy, and reassuring. “No one expects you to think of everything,” he said, squeezing my shoulder. “That’s why I’m here. From now on, make sure the kids know they are not to answer the door or phone. When you’re in the room, use the security latch. Okay?”
    I nodded.
    “The kids said they want to go swimming tomorrow morning,” he said. “I’ll call you at seven to find out if you’re up for it. Even when I tell you I’m coming to pick you up, make sure the door is latched and you look through the peep hole before you open the door.”
    Again, I nodded. With some effort I managed to find my voice.
    “Thank you.” It seemed inadequate. “I appreciate your efforts, and I really appreciate your company. You make the surveillance thing pretty comfortable.”
    “We’re here to serve and protect, not scare and intimidate.”
    I smiled and shot him a glance. He was watching me while scanning the road ahead and behind, eyes always moving.
    “That’s our turn,” he said.
    He was on top of everything. Left up to me, we would have been driving around another large block.
    “Hope, Boone, we’re here.”
    Hope woke by the time I parked. Boone was out for the count.
    “You take the food,” Merrick said, “I’ll take Boone.”
    Hope