Executive Protection(62)

Sophie was absorbed in the horses and what the guide was telling them about this particular herd, which mares were expecting and tidbits of behavioral details, like how some horses liked humans more than others. She wondered if he was making it all up.

After an hour and viewing two more herds, the driver headed back to where he’d picked them up. On the way, it began to rain. Tiny pelts of rain at first, but the closer they got to the parking area, the heavier it fell. Lucy noticed Thad surveying the sky. Maybe the tour guide should have offered to reschedule. He probably didn’t get many requests for private tours this time of year and maybe he needed the money.

The rain was getting uncomfortable. Even Sophie forgot all about horses and huddled close to Lucy. She held her and Thad held them both.

“It’s cold!” Sophie complained.

Why did children think adults could fix everything?

“We’ll be all right,” Thad said. “I’ll get us back to the beach house.”

Lucy didn’t doubt he would. Sophie didn’t mind the weather at all. She was having fun searching for horses, who were now becoming scarce as they sought shelter.

The driver turned around and headed back to where they’d parked the Jeep. The tour was over, if a bit rushed. Lucy didn’t mind. She’d rather get out of this weather. Plus, being close to Thad gave her a warm glow. His cop face had vanished and fondness for her had taken its place. Not afraid of the storm and not afraid of what last night and this morning meant. He was completely relaxed now.

Every time she tipped her head up to see him, he looked down, and each time he did so was warmer than the last. Who needed a jacket when his eyes and all they let her see heated her plenty? And oh, she did love his eyes, more than ever after last night.

He seemed to feel the same about hers, because when she tipped her head again, he didn’t look away. Encouraged that last night hadn’t been a total loss, she lifted her face more and pecked a quick kiss to his lips. The moment felt right for it. No alarm or withdrawal changed the way he regarded her. He seemed to lose himself in what they made together. Love. The fuel for it. Not wanting to own that two-ton block any more than she was sure he did, she just went with it, embraced the moment and whatever followed.

Still staring at each other, she closed her eyes when he kissed her softly and a lot longer. She could kiss him all night.

They separated when Sophie’s child voice sang, “Hhheeeyy,” followed by a giggle.

Sophie may have been embarrassed by the sight of them kissing, but she eyed them with curiosity. She’d seen the love brewing there. Kids weren’t stupid. They knew the real thing when they saw it.

The driver noticed, too, grinning to himself as he turned the windshield wipers to a faster speed. The rain had picked up.

By the time they made it to the sandy parking area, their Jeep rental was the only vehicle left, and the rain poured in earnest.

Lucy took Thad’s hand and then Lucy’s and they ran to the Jeep. The wind had really picked up, driving sheets of rain into the sandy landscape. It was hard to breathe it was so strong.

Thad took Sophie from Lucy. “Get in.”

She did while he made sure Sophie was seat-belted in. Then he walked with his head turned away from the pelting rain. Sitting behind the wheel, he dripped water but wasn’t daunted by it. He started the engine and drove as fast as he could through the deep, wet sand.

“It’s going to get bad tonight,” she said.

“Yeah.” He kept his focus on the barely visible outline of the rough road. “I’ll get us home.”

The way he said that pulled Lucy’s heart. He may not be convinced he would be lucky enough to find real love, but he cared for her and Sophie. He cared more than he realized.

It wasn’t even dinnertime and a person wouldn’t be able to tell. It was so dark. Thad navigated the dirt and sand road with firm hands. They weren’t far from the house. Lightning flashed and thunder rolled.


Lucy checked on Sophie. She’d dug into her tote and had her dolls out, bobbing them up and down as though they were riding horses. Her innocent trust touched her. She may know the weather was bad, but she trusted Lucy and Thad.

The jolt of the Jeep brought her facing forward again. Thad steered through deep, wet sand. For a moment Lucy thought they’d get stuck, but he maneuvered the vehicle without faltering. She could see the house ahead. Sheets of rain pelted to the ground. The Jeep’s headlights had come on. The sun was probably setting but it was already dark.

Thad seemed confident he’d get them back to the beach house, but Lucy was beginning to wonder.





Chapter 15


Sitting at a table in the expansive library at the Winston estate, Darcy put his head in his hand as he read the report from someone Thad knew, someone anonymous. Thad had given him a cell phone number, an untraceable one. His contact may have really come through for them. They had to be careful that no one discovered where they were digging. Darcy had let the man loose on several people, Wade Thomas included.

The chief of police had a lot going on in his life. Thomas was a security red flag. He fit a stereotypical tragedy. In debt up to his eyeballs, ready to finish a bitter divorce, he had a lot in common with Jaden and Layne. But the three didn’t run in the same circles.

“Hey, lover.” Avery lightened his mood. She leaned down and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “This place is amazing. I went to the gym and stopped for coffee on my way here. All in the same building.”