Love Inspired Suspense April 2015 #1 (17 page)

Brooke studied her bruised and battered face. “You did good.”

“I don't feel so good,” Lana confessed. She felt shaky and a bit light-headed.

“Adrenaline letdown,” Brooke said. “It happens.”

“Will Adam be long?”

“Don't know.” Brooke jangled her keys. “I'll drive you home. You'll be under twenty-four-hour guard until the person who hired Mark is caught.”

Lana wanted to say she'd wait for Adam but she really needed to clean up and gather her thoughts. This ordeal had driven home just how precarious life could be. One minute things were going the way she wanted until a thief in the night derailed her life. But her faith remained.

She followed Brooke toward the exit.

Thank You, God, for always being there for me. If I could ask for a couple of things—

“Miss Gomez! Wait,” her lawyer, Rick, called. He jogged over to her, his briefcase slapping against his leg, and halted. Taking a breath before saying, “I heard what happened. Are you all right?”

“I am, thank you. What are you doing here?”

“A client needed me.” Rick loosened his tie. “I'm glad I saw you. I have good news for you.” He smiled. “Judge Schroeder ruled in your favor. You have been granted custody of your nephew.”

Lana's knees buckled. Brooke gripped her elbow. She steadied herself as joy spread through her heart. “That's the best news ever. When can I get him?”

“As soon as tomorrow.” He balanced his briefcase on his knee, opened it and took out a file folder. “Here are the necessary documents.” He held the folder out to her. “You'll need to arrange for pickup with the All Our Kids foster home.”

Taking the file and hugging it to her chest, she said, “I'll do that.”

Tomorrow Juan would be in her life for good. Now if only she could figure out what to do about Adam. Should she risk his rejection and tell him that she loved him? Or should she sacrifice her heart's desire and let him go to Colorado as he planned?

She prayed God would give her a clear sign of what she should do.

* * *

Several hours later that night, Lana sat on the couch in her sister's—now her own—town house too keyed up to sleep, yet exhausted from the events of the day. Brooke had driven her home and stayed for a bit before leaving. A patrol officer sat in his marked car outside. The alarm was set.

In the morning she'd drive out to rural Virginia and bring Juan home.

She should be happy. She was happy. Happy that she and Juan would build a life together. Happy that she had her job back.

Mr. Floyd had called earlier to make sure she intended to come back to work soon. Of course. Only she needed a few more days to get Juan settled in. Mr. Floyd agreed and said he wanted to resume plans for the American Heritage collection exhibit.

All good stuff. Then why was she so glum?

Adam hadn't come by or called. She'd thought he would, if only to tell her about Mark's interrogation.

The phone rang. She jumped and snatched up the receiver.

“Hello?”

“It's Adam.” His deep voice rumbled in her ear. Warmth infused her body. He hadn't forgotten about her.

“Hi, I was hoping you'd call. I have news. Juan is mine.” Excitement vibrated in her voice.

“That's wonderful.” The sincerity in his tone made her smile. She tucked her feet beneath her on the couch.

“How did it go with Mark?”

Adam let out a mirthless laugh. “The guy's a piece of work. But he won't be bothering you again.”

“And the real security guard?”

“He was found alive in his apartment. Mark had followed him home, tied him to a chair and then stole the uniform.”

She breathed a sigh of relief to know the man hadn't died because of her.

“Turns out Mark was the shooter on the bridge and at the courthouse.”

“He was always a good swimmer. I had no idea how good.”

“And he was the one who ransacked your apartment. Apparently, he and the doorman, Rob, work out at the same gym. Officers are picking up Rob as we speak.”

Though the news about Rob was shocking, his involvement made sense. “But why trash my apartment? What did Mark hope to accomplish?”

“I asked him that, too. He just wanted to terrorize you.”

“Well, he accomplished that. Mark had been taking steroids, hadn't he? How else could he have bulked up so quickly?”

“Yes. He's going to jail for a long time for attempted murder, assault, robbery and possession of controlled substances. He had cocaine and steroids on him.”

Shaking her head in disbelief at all Mark had done, she said, “I thought he was on something. Did he tell you who paid him and why they wanted me dead?”

“He doesn't know who hired him. He was offered money to steal the arrow and frame you. Killing you was Mark's idea. Revenge for leaving him.” Adam's tone made it clear he was disgusted by Mark. “The person who hired him just wanted you out of the way, not dead.”

Relieved to hear that, she asked, “How was Mark supposed to get the arrow to his employer?”

“Burner phones were used. The number he had for his employer is no longer working. He must know Mark is in custody.”

“Someone went to a great deal of trouble to try to keep me from gaining custody of Juan. It doesn't make any sense.”

“We'll keep digging until we find out who was behind hiring your ex-husband and why. But the main thing is their plans didn't succeed. And Mark won't be bothering you again. He's going to jail for a long time.”

“What if the person tries tonight to keep me from taking custody of my nephew?” Suddenly the walls closed in on her, making the shadows threatening. Chills prickled her arms.

“Ace and I are on guard,” he said. “No one is coming near you. The plan to keep you from gaining custody of Juan failed. The threat against you is likely over but we'll still provide you with protection until that's guaranteed.”

She tucked in her chin. “You're on guard?” She rushed to the front window. Sure enough, Adam's SUV was parked at the curb in front of the patrol car. He waved.

“Come in,” she said into the phone.

“You should rest.”

She bit her tender lip to keep from blurting out her feelings. “Will you come with me tomorrow to pick up Juan?”

“Of course.”

She smiled and let the curtain drop back into place. “You need to go home. There's a patrol officer here. I'll be fine.”

“Let Ace stay with you tonight,” Adam said.

There was no hesitation in accepting the offer tonight. “Perfect.”

She ran to the door, punched in the security code, got the green light, then unlocked the bolt and pulled the door open. Ace and Adam stood on the porch.

He opened his arms. She flew into his embrace. His hands tangled in her hair. She lifted her face, her gaze searching his eyes. The intensity there made her tremble. She rose on tiptoe and placed a kiss against his mouth. He tightened his hold but his lips were gentle as he returned the kiss. After a breathless moment, they parted. He cupped her cheek in a gesture she found endearing.

“I'll see you in the morning.”

“You promise?”

He held her gaze, making her heart pound. “I do.”

To Ace, he said, “Guard Lana.”

The dog moved to Lana's side.

She let Adam walk away, back to his vehicle. Ace leaned into her thigh. Her hand went to his sleek head and rubbed the black fur.

Her heart wept because she wanted so much more from Adam than protection. She wanted his love. But she couldn't ask him to sacrifice his plans for her. “What are we going to do without him, Ace?”

The dog didn't answer. But Lana didn't have an answer, either.

* * *

The next day, Adam, Lana and Ace traveled in Rosa's luxury sedan, a car most housekeepers couldn't afford, which now belonged to Lana—to the All Our Kids foster home safe house. Adam could tell Lana was nervous. She fidgeted in the passenger seat. Ace sat in the back of the sedan with his nose out the cracked window. Next to the dog was a car seat where Juan would ride.

Adam hoped Juan wouldn't be freaked out by Ace. It could go either way.

They pulled into the foster care driveway. Cassie came out carrying Juan in her arms. Her assistant, Virginia, followed with a tote bag.

The handoff happened quickly.

Cassie gave Juan a kiss and placed him into Lana's arms. “You'll be in good hands, little buddy.”

Lana beamed and hugged Juan close. His arms snaked around her neck and he laid his cheek on her shoulder. Adam could tell the boy already loved his aunt. And why wouldn't he? Lana was wonderful, caring and generous. She was going to be a great mom. She'd make a great wife.

His heart flipped over. His pulse raced. He held back the emotions rising to the surface. Now was not the time to deal with all that. They had a drive ahead of them and then Lana and Juan needed time to settle in. He couldn't burden her with his feelings. Not when he wasn't sure what to do about them.

The drive back to DC went quickly with little midday traffic. Juan was fascinated by Ace and the dog was clearly smitten. Ace had his head in Juan's lap. Juan patted his neck and giggled when Ace licked his leg.

When they reached the town house, Adam intended to leave once Lana and Juan were inside. He loitered in the foyer watching Juan toddle to his toys. Lana joined Adam. The content smile on her pretty face warmed his heart.

“You're happy,” he said.

“Extremely.”

“Good. You both deserve to be happy.” And he meant it.

He only wished he could be a part of their happiness. But he couldn't ask her to leave DC. His transfer waited. His life in Colorado waited. Yet, he couldn't picture what that life would be like now. The desire to return to his hometown was strangely absent.

The thought of leaving Lana behind tore him up inside. An ache of sadness laid siege to his heart. An unfamiliar flustered feeling gripped him deep in his heart.

Lana turned to look at him. “What about you, Adam?”

“Me?”

“Are you happy?”

The question wove a ribbon around his heart.

Juan ran up and wrapped an arm around their legs, hugging them tight. Ace barked. Juan let go and chased after Ace.

Adam's mind finally accepted what his heart already knew. He loved her with every fiber of his being. The future loomed ahead, only now he couldn't imagine a life anywhere but where she was.

But did she feel the same? Only one way to find out.

He gathered her hands in his. “I could be happy.”

Her eyebrows rose. “Oh?”

A lump formed in his throat. He pushed past the trepidation of risking his heart and said, “I love you, Lana.”

Her lips parted. Her eyes widened and a building joy filled her face. “I love you.”

Happiness exploded within his chest. “You do?” He captured her in an embrace.

“I do.”

She pulled back to look at him with determination in her eyes. “Juan and I could move to Colorado. I'm sure I can find a job, maybe with the library.”

“I'm not transferring.” The words came out of his mouth almost of their own volition, but he knew he wouldn't take them back.

Her dark eyes lit up. “Really? You'll stay in DC?”

He cupped her cheek with his palm. “Only if you'll marry me.”

She let out an audible gasp. “For real?”

He laughed. “For real.”

“Yes!”

“Yes,” Juan repeated.

Adam scooped him into his arms. “Yes.”

Lana embraced them both. With crystal clarity he realized he'd found a home, a place to set down roots, not in a location, but in a person. Lana.

He closed his eyes and sent up a prayer of thanksgiving for the many wonderful blessings God had provided.

* * * * *

If you liked this
CAPITOL K-9 UNIT
novel, watch for the next book in the series, TRAIL OF EVIDENCE by Lynette Eason.

And don't miss a single story in the
CAPITOL K-9 UNIT
miniseries:

Book #1: PROTECTION DETAIL
by Shirlee McCoy
Book #2: DUTY BOUND GUARDIAN
by Terri Reed
Book #3: TRAIL OF EVIDENCE
by Lynette Eason
Book #4: SECURITY BREACH
by Margaret Daley
Book #5: DETECTING DANGER
by Valerie Hansen
Book #6: PROOF OF INNOCENCE
by Lenora Worth

Keep reading for an excerpt from SECRET REFUGE by Dana Mentink.

Dear Reader,

Part of the fun of writing is the research. And researching K-9 handlers and their partners gave me a huge appreciation for both the human and the dog. The amount of training and discipline is enormous and very specialized. Canine teams are valuable assets to law enforcement and used for criminal apprehension, building searches, area searches, evidence detection, narcotics or explosive detection, tracking missing persons, tracking fleeing persons, crowd control and for promoting favorable public relations. As a dog lover, I am fascinated with the many ways dogs help law enforcement. That's why I jumped at the chance to write this book.

I hope you enjoyed the second installment in the Capitol K-9 Unit continuity. K-9 Officer Adam Donovan and his partner, Ace, met art curator Lana Gomez under stressful circumstances. Things only became more chaotic and dangerous as it became clear someone wanted Lana dead. With Ace's help, Adam and Lana were able to defeat the bad guy, and at the same time fall in love. Their story ended, but there are so many layers to the mysteries surrounding Michael Jeffries's murder and Erin Eagleton's disappearance—and what really happened to Rosa Gomez? Look for more books in the Capitol K-9 Unit series to find the answers and fall in love with more K-9 dogs and their handlers.

Until next time, may God abundantly bless you,

Terri Reed