The Bodyguard & Ms Jones

“Sure.” Beth leaned toward the window. “I can see them playing in the yard. It looks like a game that involves far too much running for the time of day.”

Cindy glanced at the clock on the oven. It was nearly two. “The swim meet is at five. I should probably bring them in to rest for an hour or so.” She walked to the window and stared out.

Their house was at the end of the cul-de-sac. Beyond that was a wide expanse of grass and trees with a walking path down the center. The greenbelt was the main reason she and Nelson had bought this particular lot when they’d had the house built. It gave the kids a great place to play. The area was quiet and secluded, safe.

“Don’t you ever get tired of being alone?” Beth asked.

“You mean lonely?” Cindy glanced down at her friend. She shrugged. “Sure, but I don’t want the kids hurt again. It was hard enough for them when their dad left.”

“Maybe they’re not the only ones you’re scared about. Maybe you’re also worried about yourself.”

“I can’t deny that. I’ve been hurt, too. I’m beginning to think it’s easier not to try.”

The timer went off. Cindy moved to the oven and pulled out the cookies. She couldn’t imagine herself dating. When would she have time? Nelson only took the kids every other weekend. She wanted them to remember their childhood as happy, not a collection of baby-sitters because their mother was too busy trying to have a social life.

“We’ve had this conversation before,” Beth said.

“Yes.”

“You’re being very stubborn.”

“Probably.”

“I care about you because you’re my friend.”

Cindy set two trays in the oven and set the timer again. “I know you do. I also know you’re sweet enough to change the subject.”

Beth pursed her lips as if she wasn’t going to agree, then she nodded. “Just this once. Now we can talk about Mike some more.”

Cindy groaned.

“Darren and I are having a barbecue a week from Saturday. You’re invited. Bring Mike.”

“What if he doesn’t want to come?”

“He has to. Everyone wants to meet him. It will be fun. You’ll see. Besides, you have to show him around sometime. You can’t imagine the phone calls I’ve been getting.”

Actually, Cindy could. She’d gotten a few of her own. Everyone was curious about “Grace’s bodyguard broth-er.” “I can’t decide if it’s the fact that he’s single or if it’s his career that has everyone so curious,” she said.

“It’s both.” Beth rose to her feet and walked to the refrigerator. “Is it all right?” she asked, motioning to the door.

“I’m sorry. I should have offered. Grab me a soda, too, please.”

Beth pulled out two diet sodas. She handed Cindy one, then popped the top on the other. After taking a long drink, she set it on the counter and began sliding cooled cookies into a plastic container.

“Mary Ellen called to find out if I thought she should offer to cook him meals,” Beth said.

Cindy snorted. “Yeah, right. Does this mean she’s done having her way with the delivery guy?”

“Probably not. But I would say the affair is winding down. You know how she likes to have someone waiting in the wings.”

“Mike is in a weakened condition,” Cindy said. She finished spooning out the last of the cookie batter and set the bowl in the sink. “I’m going to have to protect him from Mary Ellen. That brunette bombshell could kill a man.”

“That’s not all,” Beth said. She sauntered over to the sink and turned on the hot water. “Everyone is very intrigued by the fact that he’s staying here with you.”

“What?” Cindy spun around and turned off the faucet. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Don’t get mad at me. I’m not making up the rumors, I’m just telling you. After all, it’s been two years since Nelson left and you haven’t been on a single date. Now you have a naked man living in your house.”

Cindy leaned against the counter and sighed. “He’s not naked,” she said weakly, then wondered if it really mattered. She knew how people talked in small communities. Gossip spread faster than fire ants. Nothing was as interesting as what everyone else was doing.

“I hope you’re telling everyone he’s been injured,” she said. “My goodness, he can barely walk to the bathroom unescorted. We’re not having wild sex. My children live here.”

“The sex doesn’t have to be wild, if that would help.”

Cindy just stared at her.

“Fine. Disappoint all your friends. See if I care.” Beth squeezed soap into the large mixing bowl and swished it around. When the water was sudsy, she picked up the measuring spoons and cups and dropped them in. She reached for a dishcloth. “It hasn’t even been a week, so I’ll forgive you for not having had sex yet. But you have to give me something. Have you at least seen him naked?”

“Beth!”

“Oh, please say you have.”

“I can’t believe we’re having this conversation.”

Beth looked at her, then at the dishes. “If you see him naked, will you tell me?”

“I’m not going to see him naked.”

“But you have to.”

“Why?” Cindy stared at her friend. “You’ve finally slipped over the edge, haven’t you? You’ve lost your fragile hold on reality.”

“Of course not. It’s just...” Beth drew in a deep breath. “I met Darren in college. I hadn’t dated much in high school and he was the first man I, you know, did it with.” A spot of color appeared on her cheeks. “I talk big, but the truth is, I’ve only been with Darren. I’ve never even seen another man’s...” She cleared her throat. “I just want to know what he looks like.”

Beth was up to her wrists in soapy water. Cindy took a step closer and gave her a hug. “You’re a terrific friend. I was a virgin when I met Nelson, too. So I haven’t seen anyone else naked, either.”

“It’s just so unfair.” Beth glanced at her, blue eyes dancing. “Men see women naked all the time. It’s in magazines, in the movies. Maybe we should take advantage of that for the next school fund-raiser. We could hire men to walk around naked. Think of the cover charge to get in. It could be a couple hundred dollars. We could buy a lot of sports equipment with that.”

Cindy released Beth and stepped back. “You are crazy.”

“It’s a great idea.”

“No.”

Beth finished washing the measuring cups and rinsed them. “Can I at least go check and see if Mike really has on underwear?”

“No.”