Bringing Benjy Home (Security Ops) Read Online Free

on Lauren once she realized she’d pinned her hopes on a fraud.
    He spoke to the airline desk and was able to get an extra seat on his flight for Jaida. He hadn’t expected any difficulty. He was traveling first-class and the section was rarely full. Then he made a second call to Lauren’s home and gave a brief explanation of the change of plans to Mac. He and his wife, Raine, had been staying with Lauren in Trey’s absence. He was the one man in the world Trey could entrust Lauren’s safety to. Mac was also the only one in Trey’s acquaintance who would agree to follow without question the instructions Trey proceeded to give him.
    A slight frown marred his brow as he looked in the direction of the bedroom the women had disappeared into. He’d expected Jaida to ask their destination, but how the hell had her grandmother known? Obviously there was something about him that had given away the state he’d called home in recent years, but he was at a loss to explain what that might be.
     
    “Granny, don’t lift that thing. Let me do it.” Jaida hurried into her bedroom. Granny had dragged the big suitcase from her closet and was preparing to lift it onto the bed.
    “You’ll do no such thing,” the old woman said tartly. “I’ve told you before, Jaida, I’m no invalid. Now, get your clothes out and fill this bag up. That Mr. Garrison don’t strike me as the patient sort.”
    Jaida made no move to obey her grandmother. “Just how did he strike you, Granny?” Despite her faith in the older woman’s visions, something about Trey bothered her. A lot.
    “He has a strong chin,” she muttered. And then in a louder tone she added, “He’s a determined one. That’s a fella who gets what he wants. But you’ll be safe with him. I seen enough to know that.”
    “But he doesn’t really believe in my ability, Granny. Didn’t you read that from him?”
    Granny turned to face her only grandchild. “No, he’s here for his own reasons—that’s a fact,” she agreed. “But them reasons can’t stop you from finding the boy, now, can they?” Not waiting for her granddaughter to reply, she continued, “And whether that man knows it or not, he needs you. He’s got a powerful big void inside him that’s eating him alive, but he’s a stubborn one. You’ll have your work cut out for you this time.”
    She moved to the closet again, and Jaida rose to help her. Certainly she’d help Benjy in any way that she could. Now that she’d met his uncle and heard of the little boy’s plight, her conscience wouldn’t let her do otherwise. But she was troubled by what else her grandmother was intimating. If there was an emptiness in Trey Garrison, it was hidden far deeper than she could see. And what could that possibly have to do with her, in any case? Her gift sometimes enabled her to help find missing persons, but it didn’t extend to helping people find pieces missing from themselves.
    “I don’t understand,” she finally murmured. “What else can I possibly help Trey Garrison with?”
    Granny Logan carefully placed a homemade sachet in the suitcase, between the neatly folded clothes. It was filled with bits of dried flowers and herbs, and its aroma would be a lingering reminder of the hills of home. Jaida went to the drawer of the small table next to the bed and took out a bottle of pills. Exchanging a glance with her grandmother, she dropped the bottle into her purse.
    “Trust me, child. That man needs you, in more ways than one. Jist . . .” The old woman hesitated, peering at her granddaughter. “Jist you be careful, girl.”
    Jaida gave a quick laugh. “Granny, don’t be silly. Trey might be maddening, but I’ve dealt with ignorance and disbelief before. I can handle it.”
    Her grandmother gave her a sad smile. Her precious child, so full of talent and energy, was much too innocent. Life had hammered her once before, sent her running back to this safe valley, but the girl couldn’t hide here forever, no