Page 80 of Under His Protection
“Is there anything else you need to do on campus besides go to classes?”
“No,” Haley says. “I’ll just come back here and do homework.”
“All right.” Charlie picks up her mug and takes a sip. “That sounds pretty straightforward. Just a reminder, Haley. Don’t leave Philip’s sight for any reason. Got it?”
“Yes, but what if I have to go to the bathroom?”
“Then Philip gets the thrill of going into the ladies room with you. Hopefully that won’t cause too much of a panic if it’s occupied.”
I chuckle at that.
Haley grins at me. “Don’t worry. I’ll try to hold it until we get back here.”
After we finish eating and start cleaning up the kitchen, Haley’s phone rings.
“It’s my dad,” she says as she takes the call. “Hi, Dad.”
She listens intently, making random affirmative sounds. “Yes, he is…. Yes…. I know! I will!” She rolls her eyes at me. “Dad, I know. Please don’t worry. It’ll be fine. I’ll have Philip with me…. I love you, too. Please give my love to Erin.”
She ends the call and sticks her phone in her backpack. “He’s such a worrywart.”
“Your dad loves you, Haley,” Charlie says. “His baby girl is going out into the big, dangerous world, only in your case it sort ofisdangerous right now because someone’s fixated on you. You have to cut him some slack.”
“I know,” Haley says with a sigh. “My mom is so much more chill than my dad.”
Now it’s Charlie’s turn to roll her eyes. “No. Your mom is better at hiding her fears than your dad is. I’m sure she’s just as worried. The difference is, she tries not to let you see it.”
* * *
Right on time, we leave for campus. Unfortunately, I’m going out unarmed. As a bodyguard, I’d normally carry a handgun to protect my client, but unfortunately, since carrying is strictly prohibited on campus, I’m going barehanded. I don’t like it, but I don’t have a choice.
In an effort to at least look the part of a college student, I’m wearing faded blue jeans, a dark hunter green Henley, and a pair of sneakers in case I have to do any running.
When I head downstairs, Haley’s sitting at the kitchen table with her backpack.
“Ready to go?” I ask.
She stands and lifts her pack onto her shoulder. “Ready.”
I relieve her of her backpack. “My God, Hale! How much does this thing weigh?”
She shrugs. “No idea. I’ve never weighed it.”
“This has to weigh at least forty pounds. What’s in here? Rocks?” When she laughs, I get a peek at her adorable dimples.
“It’s just my poly sci textbook, my tablet, a couple of notebooks, andJane Eyre. Oh, and my water bottle, of course.” She gestures to a glass bottle tucked into a side pocket.
“Just?Honey, this is too heavy for you to carry around. You’ll hurt yourself.”
“I can’t help it. I need all that stuff.”
I sling her backpack onto my shoulder and step out the back door to survey the rear yard. It’s just a precaution. We’d know if someone had gotten onto the property.
Haley follows me into the garage. I open the front passenger door of the pickup and shove her giant school bag behind her seat. Then I give her a hand up into the cab.
“Let’s review the rules, shall we?” I say as I pull out into the back alley. But first, I reach for her hand and bring it to my mouth to kiss. “See? I can be a boyfriend and a bodyguard at the same time.”
She laughs.
