Chapter 4

Keith moved towards the Auburn haired beauty staring at him with wide eyes. It seemed as if Ms. Bradshaw was about to turn tail and run, but as Keith got closer, she straightened her shoulders and raised her eyes to meet his. That was when his heart started to thud. Blue gray eyes stared defiantly into his.

“Ms. Bradshaw, I’m Keith O’Connor from Newfoundland Security Services. Your father hired me as security for you.” Keith held out his hand, but she glanced at it and then back up to his face.

“I’m well aware of why my father hired you, Mr. O’Connor but I don’t think this is going to work out.” She retorted.

“Call me Keith, and I’m sorry, but your father hired me.” Fury was building in her eyes.

“I’m sure he’ll pay you for your time today, Mr. O’Connor. Have a nice day.” She turned around with her head held up and hurried through a curtain in the back of the salon.

Oh no, you don’t, princess.

Keith started to follow her, but a woman with wild black hair and way too much cleavage stepped in front of him.

“Honey, I’d suggest you enter at your own risk. She’s pissed that her dad has someone here and even a beefcake like you wouldn’t make this any easier for her.” The woman said

Keith glanced down at the tag on her shirt and saw the name, Penny. Before he got a chance to speak, she put her finger under his chin.

“Eyes are up here, big boy.” She raised an eyebrow.

“I was looking at your name tag, Penny. Thanks for the advice but I’m sure I can handle this.” Keith stepped around Penny and continued to the back of the salon.

“Don’t say you weren’t warned,” Penny called after him. Ada and Aurora were laughing as he walked through the curtain.

“Dad, the only place where this guy could blend in, is at the World Wrestling Federation or a biker bar. He’s going to scare off my clients or have them tripping over themselves flirting with him.” Keith stood just outside the door of the office and continued to listen to the one-sided conversation.

“Yes, I realize you want me to be safe, but this is my business, dad. If my clients don’t feel safe here, I’ll lose them. You know the women from SummerBrook are not the most pleasant people to deal with.” For a few minutes, all Keith heard was tapping and a huge groan.

“I know you think this place is beneath me, dad, but it’s my baby, and you will never understand what it means to me. So call off the guard dog, or I’ll have him removed from my shop.” Keith couldn’t help the grin forming as he heard her voice rise again.

“I will not be coming to stay in SummerBrook or at Mr. O’Connor’s place either, dad. Are you out of your freaking mind?” Keith peeked into the office. She was staring out the small window with her back to him.

“Dad, I’m not dealing with this right now. You call him and get him the hell out of here. I mean it.” She tapped the screen and tossed the phone onto her desk while she muttered something under her breath.

“He’s just looking out for your safety.” Keith should have known that was the wrong thing to say. She turned slowly and glared at him.

“If I were you, I would be checking my phone for a text from my father instead of eavesdropping.” She pulled her long hair into a ponytail and then did some twisted thing with it. It always amused him the way women would grow their hair and then put it up.

Keith pulled out his phone as it buzzed. He was really expecting it to be Nelson telling him to forget about everything. He opened the message and chuckled as he read it.

She’s going to fight this but please just be patient. She’s feisty like her mother, and she has a mouth on her. I’m sure it won’t offend you when she starts to curse like a sailor.

“You have a great day, Mr. O’Connor.” She grinned when Keith looked up from his phone.

“It’s Keith, and I’m sure I will have a beautiful day. I just need you to show me where I can settle in and not be in your way. I also need you to let me know if you’re going to be staying at your father’s, or at my compound so I can have everything in place before the end of the day.” It took everything he had not to burst into laughter at the way her mouth dropped open, and her eyes went completely full.

“My father didn’t text you?” She stammered.

“He did, and it was good to know that you curse like a sailor when you’re mad.” Keith grinned as he shoved his phone back into his pocket.

“I will fu…., I’m going to kill him.” She growled.

“I wouldn’t say that with me around. I do have four brothers, an uncle and new sister-in-law that are police officers, and I would feel obligated to tell them about a threat of murder.” Keith leaned against the door jamb and crossed his arms over his chest.

“You’re going to be a pain in the ass, aren’t you?” Emily sighed.

“Not as long as you let me keep you safe.” Keith watched as she gripped onto the edge of the desk.

“Do you have to be out front?” She didn’t look up at him.

“Yes.” Keith had already done an outside sweep of the building and knew there was no other entrance except the small window in her office that was not big enough for a person to crawl through. So there was no reason for him to be in the back of the salon and he could do this job by himself.

“You don’t have to stand by the door, or anything do you?” She looked up at him under her eyelashes.

“No, I can probably sit behind the reception desk,” He wanted to laugh at her expression, but he sensed that would only piss her off.

“I’m sure Aurora will love that.” She stood up and pulled down her shirt over her full hips. The woman had curves that would make any man fall at her feet.

“I’ve known Aurora and Ada for a long time. I’m sure she won’t mind me.” Keith didn’t move out of the doorway as she walked towards it.

“I’ll agree to let you be here, but there is no way in hell I’m going to SummerBrook or where ever you live.” She tried to push past him, but he put his arm across the door to stop her.

“I live here in Hopedale, and it’s probably the safest place you could stay. It’s not negotiable. Your dad’s place or mine. You’ve got until lunch to make your choice.” With that, he dropped his arm and moved out of her way.

Keith waited for her to argue but she didn’t. The way she almost bowled him over when she pushed past him was enough to let him know Emily would be a handful, but he was pretty sure she was going to be fun. Maybe the first job he’d enjoyed in a long time.