Bringing Benjy Home (Security Ops) Read Online Free Page A

matter what she thought. She followed Jaida out the bedroom door and joined the man in the living room.
    Granny walked up to Trey, who was standing at the window. He turned at her approach. Standing very near him, she surveyed his chin again. Whatever she saw didn’t disappoint her. This might be a hard man and a stubborn one, but he wasn’t evil; he still had a soul. He just needed a little help remembering that.
    “You take care of my girl, Mr. Garrison.”
    The woman’s tone was fierce, and Trey felt a hint of respect. Whatever shortcomings Jaida West might have, her grandmother’s love was apparent. He gave her a short nod and reached to take the suitcase from Jaida. His fingers collided with hers, and again he felt a strange spark at the touch. She snatched her hand away from his as though she had been scorched.
    Turning away from the electric contact, Jaida embraced her grandmother. “I’ll call you as soon as I reach California,” she promised.
    Granny Logan snorted. “I don’t need no checking up on, young lady. I’ve been doin’ for myself since long before you was born.”
    Jaida rolled her eyes. “So you’ve said. Take care, then, Granny. I’ll be back soon.”
    The old woman stood in the doorway, watching them leave. They were halfway down the drive when she called, “Garrison.”
    Trey turned inquiringly.
    Granny pointed an arthritic finger at him. “You hurt my girl and you answer to me. Understand that?”
    Jaida watched the two stare at each other, their gazes clashing. Then Trey turned away without answering and continued toward the Jeep. Jaida blew her grandmother a fond kiss and joined him.
    The Jeep was long out of sight before Granny Logan closed the door of the cabin. Despite her faith in her sight, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she’d just thrown her lamb to a very hungry lion.
     
    Jaida pushed her heavy sheaf of straight hair away from her face, reached forward and turned the air conditioner on. “The Jeep was a good choice,” she told the man driving silently beside her. “How’d you know that a car wasn’t going to be much use where I lived?”
    “I’m always prepared,” he told her shortly.
    She’d bet he was. He looked like someone who would plan for every eventuality. He was, as her granny had said, a man used to getting what he wanted.
    Those had been the first words he’d spoken since they’d left the cabin. Jaida had pointed out landmarks in the town they passed through, Dixon Falls. The small school building, lone bar and two stores hadn’t elicited a comment from him. Nor had the gorgeous countryside they’d passed through for the next hour and a half.
    Now, as she recognized the city limits of Little Rock, trepidation filled her. The turnoff for the airport was nearing. “Why don’t we stop and get something to eat?” she suggested hopefully, delaying the inevitable. “I didn’t have lunch.”
    “You can eat on the plane,” he answered.
    “I don’t think so,” she mumbled. She knew from experience that all traces of her usually healthy appetite would disappear at first sight of the airport. “I don’t suppose you ever use the train?”
    Trey looked at her oddly. “Do you have a problem with planes?”
    Only while they’re in the air , she replied silently.
    They turned the vehicle in at the rental agency at the airport and checked their bags. “Come on,” he said, reaching for her elbow. “Our plane is loading now.”
    Jaida took a step backward, avoiding his touch. “Wait a minute,” she said, stalling. “Let’s talk about this.”
    “On the plane,” he said firmly. “Hurry up or it will leave without us.”
    “We should be so lucky,” she muttered. She took a deep breath and reluctantly followed him through the airport, onto the plane and into a seat. She immediately put on her seat belt, rechecking it for secureness several times. The luxury of the first-class cabin was lost on her. As the plane taxied up the runway, her