The Doctor's Defender (Protection Specialists Book 3) by Terri Reed Page B

of my unhealthy pleasures,” she stated and popped a chip into her mouth.
    “Only unhealthy if not eaten in moderation.”
    “True. Which is why I rarely buy them. I could eat the whole bag in one sitting.”
    He laughed. “I’ll have to remember you have a weakness for chips.”
    “Only this flavor. I can do without any others. Well, I do like ranch flavored, too. Oh, and salt and vinegar.”
    “Duly noted.”
    After the couple of days she’d had, it was good to see she wasn’t wallowing in self-pity or so frightened she couldn’t function. He hoped the police discovered who was after Brenda soon so she could get back to her life.
    They passed through the main part of town, past residential houses on tree-lined streets with sidewalks and unfenced lawns. A very idyllic place. The kind that Kyle had never lived in. They passed the North Point Marina, the largest one on the lake with well over a thousand slips, and from the look of it most were occupied. There were large fishing boats, yachts of various sizes, sailboats and schooners. The water was dotted with boats of people out enjoying the beautiful fall day.
    The road wound along the shore. A sign on the shoulder read they were passing the state border into Wisconsin. Ten miles later he turned down a gravel drive that led to a nice-size house tucked away among the trees. He’d visited Felicia’s cabin only once before, many years ago. The place looked as he remembered. He parked and got out, breathing deep, taking in the fresh, pine-scented air. Felicia may not be here, but he knew where she kept a hidden spare key.
    Brenda climbed out of the rig and gathered her purchases. “This place is lovely.”
    “It is. Peaceful, too.” Kyle grabbed his duffel bag from the back and then followed Brenda up the wood-plank stairs. He knocked.
    Felicia answered the door. She had long silver hair spilling over her shoulders, glasses perched on her nose and a round face. She wore a white puff-sleeved shirt and multicolored skirt that stopped at her ankles to reveal bare feet. A beaming smile broke out on her face. “Kyle. What a pleasant surprise.”
    Tenderness and affection for this older woman squeezed Kyle’s chest. “Hi, Felicia.” He leaned in to kiss her cheek. “I’m sorry to barge in on you like this, but we need a place to stay for a few days.”
    Felicia’s gaze bounced between him and Brenda. Curiosity and pleasure lit up her gray eyes. “Of course you can stay here. Please come in.”
    She moved aside so they could enter. The smell of meat simmering made his stomach grumble. He set their belongings on the bottom stair of the upper floor.
    “This is my client, Brenda Storm,” Kyle said. “Brenda, Felicia Brewster.”
    Felicia’s eyes widened as she took Brenda’s hand. “Client? Oh, dear. That must mean you’re in trouble of some sort.”
    “Yes, I am,” Brenda said. “I hope we aren’t imposing too much.”
    “Not at all. I will do whatever I can to assist you,” Felicia replied.
    Kyle knew Felicia would do anything she could to help. She was that kind of woman. He quickly explained the situation to Felicia, who listened with rapt attention. When he was finished, she turned to Brenda. “You did the right thing in hiring Kyle.”
    Brenda shot him a glance. “I’ve come to realize that.”
    Her pretty eyes held a cache of emotions in the swirling depths. Trust and attraction held him enthralled as something intense flared between them. The moment stretched. The sound of Felicia’s chuckles jerked him back to reality.
    “Something smells delicious,” he commented, needing something to say to redirect them all.
    “Beef stew. I had a craving.” Felicia smiled and shrugged. “I think God knew I would be having company. There’s plenty. Come eat.”
    “May I use your restroom?” Brenda asked.
    “Of course you may,” Felicia said with a smile. “First door on the left down that hall.”
    Brenda hurried away.
    When Brenda had shut the