Flawlessly Executed (Dark Horse Guardians Book 3) Read Online Free Page A

single-handedly brought him out of the deep depression he had been suffering since the death of his wife two years ago. Working with her on the Victorian garden for Henderson and now making visits to Clearwater Farm to install her garden, he was actually interested in living once again.
    In fact, he made excuses to visit the project at Clearwater Farm even though he was supposed to be starting another client’s installation. He assigned a few guys on his crew to the other project and they had it underway. For the past week he was wrapped up in listening to Lara play on the beach with Einstein in the morning and talking with her as she lounged on the porch for an hour or so before starting her day. He recognized Lara’s deep depression with the recent death of her friend, and was genuinely concerned about her. He wanted to be a sounding board for her, a compassionate listener. And he was.
    For the first time she really opened up and confided in him. She told him about the brutal rape and beating she suffered in middle school and how it altered her life. She talked about the death of her father and meeting Rusty and Don Henderson. The mystery of her obsession with weapons was solved. She wasn’t paranoid; she was ready to kill the next bastard that pushed her around. Hawk began to understand her anxieties and compulsions. She had finally let him in. He admired her strength, persistence and optimism.
    Hawk felt the one-on-one conversations with Lara were helping her; she talked and he listened. It was as if she had to say things aloud to sort it all out in her head. The last few days he noticed her depression was lifting. Meanwhile, he felt honored that she could have private discussions with him. He had to tear himself away from early morning chats with her. And there were times he could not pull himself away.
    He was sure she felt the same bond, but they never spoke of it and he wanted to keep it that way. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, she wanted him to work for her . He would meet with her in the morning and listen to any proposal she had. No one had ever given him an opportunity like this, except for Ellen. He valued and cherished Lara’s friendship, trust and loyalty and made a silent promise not to screw that up. He stopped by a men’s clothing store to purchase a real suit and tie, something missing from his closet for too many years. He even picked up cologne, which he spent way too much for, and mouthwash.
     
    ~ Ben ~
    At the university the first weeks of the semester were always filled with turmoil and confusion and Ben took it in stride. Other professors were stressed out and mumbling obscenities, but he knew it was no big deal. Every student’s schedule seemed to change and the whole school shifted a bit, then settled into a predictable routine. He only had one year under his belt, but could see the pattern clearly, making him wonder why some of these tenured professors were running around pulling their hair out. Was it really that important in the grand scheme of things if their lunch break was early or late? For Ben, his teaching job was all about the students.
    Something of more concern to him was Lucy Adams and her annoying habit of probing into his business on a daily basis. She was making excuses to drop by his office and he did all that he could to discourage her little visits. But she was persistent. When in his office it was his custom to keep the door open so new students would feel comfortable dropping by. However, today it was Lucy Adams dropping by again.
    “Hello Professor Keegan,” she drew the words out as she lingered in his doorway.
    Ben did not look up, hoping his body language would discourage her. However, she didn’t seem to get the hint. She was wearing a tight black mini-skirt with a matching jacket and a bright pink T-shirt underneath. Ben could never figure out why she wore so much make-up and crazy jewelry. The aroma of her cheap perfume hit his nostrils before she was