Guardian by Catherine Mann

move this visit along faster before he did something stupid, like haul her in for a kiss and to hell with the consequences. “I don’t think our kids should play together.”
    Her eyebrows shot up. “And your reason why?”
    “Because I don’t want my daughter to get hurt.”
    “It’s not like they’re dating.”
    “If only it was that simple.” He scrubbed a hand over his jaw. He didn’t particularly relish trotting out his crappy personal life. “Haley Rose has been really, uh…” He searched for the right word. “She’s been really fragile since her mom left.”
    Sophie’s shoulders relaxed and genuine sympathy lit her eyes. “I’m sorry to hear that. I understand how frustrating it is wanting to cushion a child from the harsh realities of life.”
    “Amen to that.”
    “Berg…David…” She leaned forward on her desk. “I’m not interested in a relationship. So your daughter is safe from thinking I’m going to step into her life.”
    Whoa, wait. She thought he was here to make sure they didn’t have a
relationship
? “It’s more complicated than that.” He was going to have to spill it all. “My ex had a son from her first marriage. Haley Rose grew up with him, but when my ex left, Hunter went back to live with his biological father. It’s not healthy for my daughter to use your son as a substitute brother.”
    Pushing away from her desk, Sophie exhaled hard. “I didn’t know. I am so sorry,” she said, leaving her desk and taking the seat beside him. “I can see where you would be worried. I’ll talk to Brice.”
    Her brown eyes turned warm and compassionate. She even swayed toward him sympathetically. Shit. She was twenty-four inches away and the air-conditioning was blowing the air around full blast.
    Who the hell was he kidding? He’d come here for himself as much as his child or Caleb Tate. All day at work, he’d been looking forward to seeing her. He’d even counted down the hours like a sap.
    A frown puckered between her eyebrows.
    He reached toward her. “How is your head feeling today?”
    “Better.” Her answer came out breathy, with a hitch.
    His fingers hovered close to her shoulder, close enough to touch…
    Footsteps padded down the carpeted hall. Sophie blinked and pulled back. His hand fell to his lap. He looked fast behind him.
    Sophie’s boss, Lieutenant Colonel Geoffrey Vaughn, stopped in the open doorway. “Are you almost finished for the day?”
    Sophie pressed a hand to her waistband. “Soon, Geoffrey.”
    “Major.” The attorney nodded to David.
    “Colonel.” David stood.
    The man’s blues were crisply pressed. This guy didn’t store his ties in the glove compartment.
    Wiry and just under six feet, Vaughn lounged against the door frame and rubbed a hand along the back of his neck. “Do you mind locking up behind you when you’re done? I’m heading out to meet the gang for drinks. I can wait if you want to come along.”
    “Not tonight. Thanks, though.” Sophie moved behind her desk again. “I appreciate your sitting in yesterday.”
    “You’re still the boss on this case,” Vaughn declared graciously, although he was at least ten years her senior. He stepped into the hall, then ducked back in the room. “I’ll be by for Brice after lunch Saturday.”
    “Thanks. He’s been breaking in his new baseball glove all week.”
    “No problem.” Vaughn pulled his hat from his briefcase. “He’s quite a kid.”
    “Yes, he is.”
    That special, unreserved smile returned, the one she saved only for her son. Leslie never looked at Haley Rose like that.
    “Good night, Major.” Vaughn tucked back into the hall, for good this time. His measured footsteps faded.
    David’s jaw went tight. “I don’t want to keep you two from any plans.”
    “Plans?”
    “With Vaughn.” He should be relieved. His life would be simpler if Sophie had an ongoing relationship.
    “Geoffrey and me?” She laughed.
    David didn’t.
    “He’s an old friend of