Page 38 of Vanishing Legacy
Alana waffled her head side to side. “Maybe it won’t help at all, but if we found Sonia’s car, at least you could have closure.”
“This is all a lot to think about, and it’s been a rough couple of days.” He rubbed his forehead. “Do you mind…I mean, can we talk about you for a little while?”
Her eyes widened. “Me? You want to talk about me?”
“Yeah. It wouldn’t hurt to know a bit more about the woman protecting my daughter. It’ll take my mind off things, you know?”
“Fair enough.” She pulled her legs up underneath her. “Well, what do you want to know?”
“Williams told me you were a dive detective, so let’s start there. What made you switch to the exciting world of personal protection?”
“That’s a way longer story than we have time for right now, but I can give you the Reader’s Digest version.”
“Reader’s Digest? Aren’t you too young for that?”
“Rocco’s doctor isn’t.”
Cash chuckled. “I’ll have to get you an e-reader. Those waiting room magazines are brutal.”
“Good idea. I’ve been reading S. M. Warren’s latest book, but when I have time to read, I don’t have it with me. Never liked reading on my cell phone.” She did the head shake again to get her bangs to lie correctly. “Anyway, Williams is correct. Before I moved here, I was an underwater dive detective for LAPD. My unit was a part of SWAT, so I have tactical training. My sister, Christina Sherman—well, Christina Parker now that she’s married—works at the Elite Guardians Agency headquarters in Columbia, South Carolina. So here I am.”
“That’s not the Reader’s Digest version. That’s more like a byline. A tweet at most. You gotta give me more than that.”
“Fiiine…” She rolled her eyes. “Christina and I were reconnected after years of being apart. When she told me about the new branch opening in Savannah, I knew it was where I needed to be. Close to her, but not so close we’d smother each other, you know?”
Cash nodded, taking in the way her eyes held a glimmer of something deeper, something she wasn’t saying. He leaned even closer. He wanted to know everything about her. Every secret, every hope and dream. “Alana, I have a feeling there’s more to you than you’re letting on.”
For a moment, her guard slipped, and he saw the flicker of vulnerability in her eyes. “Isn’t there always?”
And just like that, Cash was hooked. Pulled right into her orbit.
“Can I ask you something?” She looked down at her nails. “Do you…or have you…ever considered…dating again?”
His head cocked to the side. Of course he’d considered it. He just hadn’t expected that question from her. “What do you mean?”
She shrugged. Glanced at the piano fort, then back to her hands. “I don’t know. It’s just…you’re a good-looking guy, and you seem like a great dad. I’m sure there are plenty of women out there who would be interested.”
So, she’d noticed. Okay, time to play it cool. “I…I haven’t really thought about it.”
“You know what? Sorry. That’s too personal. I didn’t mean to pry.”
“No no no.” He touched her hand. “I just…well, it’s difficult to trust people with Penny. Between work and spending time with her, who has time to think about finding someone who would fit?” As if someone could just…fit.
“I know exactly what you mean.” She gave him a sympathetic smile. “It’s not easy to let someone else into your daily life. They could rock your little dinghy. Know what I mean? Throw the whole thing off balance.”
Yeah, he could picture it. His work-life balance was a delicate dance. Funny, he’d always thought someone else would help anchor them. “What made you ask?” Please say him. Or Penny.
“I dunno…” She pinched her lips and wrinkled her nose. Cutest thing he’d ever seen. “I guess I’m curious. But you know what? It’s none of my business. I’m just the bodyguard.”
Cash nodded, studying Alana’s features in the dimming light. He’d thought she might have been trying to put herself out there, but then she’d just shut it down. It wasn’t where he’d hoped this conversation would go. Had he read her wrong?
Well, he sure didn’t think the timing was right, but maybe…just maybe Alana was the right woman.
Too bad she was only here because he’d hired her to protect his daughter.
TEN
MONDAY, 7:00 A.M.