Free This Hero for Hire by Cynthia Thomason Page B

don’t have that problem,” James said. “Not married. Guess I haven’t found someone willing to put up with me.”
    Tell me about it, Boone thought.
    â€œThere, you see,” Lila said. “You and Boone already have something in common.” She frowned at Boone. “He’s a confirmed bachelor, too.”
    â€œSo far,” Boone said.
    Lila glanced at the station exit. “Let’s roll, Halloran. This town doesn’t protect itself. And we still have two more hours of duty.”
    â€œRight behind you, Menendez,” James said.
    â€œHave fun out there with the rich folk,” she said to Boone.
    He watched them leave. Maybe Lila would switch her attention to the new cop. Boone had noticed James stealing peeks at the pretty Menendez. All Lila would have to do is crook her finger and Boone was pretty sure the recruit would show some interest. Most of the single guys in town would. Just not himself.
    As he returned to his work, his cell rang. Recognizing the private number, he connected immediately. “Hello, Governor.”
    â€œI’m fixin’ to leave in an hour, son, and all my boys will be going with me just like Susie wants. Time for you to get out here.”
    â€œI’ll pick up my bag and be right there, sir. Hope you have a successful trip.”
    â€œThanks, but you remember I’m paying you handsomely to take care of my little girl. I told you I have enemies, and you should know they come in all shapes and sizes. Reporters and lobbyists and special interest groups—these guys could try all sorts of things to get to Susie and get a scoop on me. You stay with her now, like sap on a tree trunk.”
    â€œI will, sir.”
Until she kicks me out for not selling her that land anyway.
    â€œI know you will, Boone, and while you’re at it, keep her from getting into any more messes like that dang chicken business.”
    Boone grimaced. “I’ll do my best.”
    He wished he had time to call up Mike Langston and ask him to meet for a beer before he had to turn his life upside down. Mike was a good listener and a smart guy whose own life had thrown him some curveballs. But the clock was ticking, and he’d just have to handle his first night in the mansion on his own.
    * * *
    S USANNAH   KNEW B OONE   had arrived. His truck was parked in the circular drive, and she’d heard a bedroom door close upstairs about thirty minutes ago. The housekeeper had apparently shown him to his room, and by now he’d probably unpacked and put his clothes in the dresser drawers. Or maybe he was a live-out-of-a-suitcase kind of guy.
    Susannah did not believe she needed protection in Mount Union, Georgia, but that had been only one of the reasons she hadn’t allowed her father to leave a couple of his security guys behind. The most important one remained that she didn’t want men around her who had been on her dad’s payroll for years. They were glorified spies who would report her activities to her father just as quickly as their cell phones could connect.
    When Daddy learned that she was tampering with good ol’ Georgia farming practices, he’d kick up a dust storm of protest. And for good reason. What she was doing could hurt his chances for reelection if anyone in the press caught wind of it. Imagine the governor’s own daughter changing tried-and-true Southern farming traditions.
    Though she hadn’t changed her mind about the security, since she’d heard Boone’s truck pull up, she’d experienced a kind of calm. Officer Braddock was just two doors down the hall from her bedroom. He would keep the newshounds away, and he was tall and strong and a force to be reckoned with—if by some odd quirk of circumstance force were needed. So okay, he could stay as long as he didn’t put the governor on speed dial.
    She rinsed her hands at the kitchen sink and dried them on a dish towel. After