The Baby's Bodyguard. Alice Sharpe

      “Yes, I have, Jack,” she said, and firmly reclaimed her hand. “I’m just not convinced.”

      “Then why are you protecting someone?”

      “Oh, no, not that again.”

      He shook his head. “Listen, no matter what you think, I’m here and I’m not going to go away until I get to the bottom of this.”

      “I guess that’s your decision. It doesn’t include me. We had one night a long time ago …”

      “Then let me be your bodyguard. That way we can pool what we know, we can work together and I can protect you. I need a place to hang out while I snoop around—”

      “No way. I don’t need protection.”

      “Really? Do you actually believe that?”

      “Of course I believe it. It won’t work. You have to leave.”

      “You’re wrong,” came a voice from behind Jack’s back. He swiveled around to find Mimi standing just inside the room.

      “Grandma—” Hannah began.

      “You’re wrong, Hannah Marie. Ever since your grandpa died and you got pregnant, you’ve been trying to do everything alone. You need help. We need help.”

      “Maybe we do,” Hannah said reluctantly, and then with a swift glance at Jack, added, “But not this man.”

      Mimi made a big deal of looking around the room and behind her. “Then, which man, Hannah?”

      “Grandma—”

      “I’ll hire you,” Mimi said, looking directly at Jack.

      “You don’t even know Jack Starling,” Hannah muttered.

      The older woman nodded abruptly. “You’re right, I don’t. But I like him, and so do you.”

      Jack smiled.

      “I do not like him,” Hannah grumbled.

      “Whatever. Okay, if you won’t allow me to hire him as a bodyguard for you, then I’ll hire him as one for my great-granddaughter. It’ll be good having a man here protecting her. You accept, Mr. Starling?”

      “I accept,” Jack said quickly before Hannah could get in another word.