Ransom (15 page)

Right. A day for couples. She poured coffee into her cup and noticed her hands shook.

“You should send Blake a card,” Jillian said.

The thought was like a spear to her heart. She hadn't heard anything from him these past weeks and didn't expect to. But she still jumped a bit every time the phone rang, hoping that maybe he'd call just to check on her. Silly. He was off on some assignment, protecting the country from bad guys doing bad things. The last thing on his mind was her. And she'd be all kinds of a fool to think otherwise. Wouldn't she be?

“I'm not creative like you are,” Liz said.

“Then buy a card.”

She made it sound so simple. There was nothing simple about Liz's feelings for Blake. She hadn't wanted to get involved with him because she'd feared losing herself to him but she was losing herself anyway. Every day she felt less like herself. Every day she slipped deeper into a thick abyss of discontentment.

Jillian came to her side and put an arm around her waist. Dropping her head on Liz's shoulder, she said, “I'm worried about you.”

Picking up the edges of her composure, she put on a brave smile. “No need to be.”

Jillian raised her head and gave Liz a disbelieving look. “Right. You're mopey and irritable. You need to snap out of it.”

Liz sighed, knowing she was right. “I would if I could.”

“Send Blake a note. Ask him to dinner on Valentine's Day. If he doesn't answer or doesn't show then you can write him off. And maybe get on with your life.”

“I'm not brave like you,” Liz whispered past the constriction in her throat. Not when it came to matters of the heart.

Jillian pursed her lips. “You are the bravest person I've ever met. Just not when it comes to love.” She shrugged. “It's your life. I'm going to go get ready for church.” She skipped out of the room as if she was ten rather than twenty-three.

Going to the table, Liz contemplated what she should do. She did need to move on with her life. She felt stuck, in limbo, waiting for something to happen that wouldn't unless she was fearless enough to initiate it. Picking up a sheet of cardstock, she made a decision. She would invite Blake to come to the island for a Valentine's Day dinner. And if he rejected her offer then she'd be able to kill that speck of hope once and for all.

* * *

Blake sat in his usual seat around the large table and stared out the window of the conference room in Washington, DC. The view of the Washington Monument in the distance had always made him feel patriotic.

But lately, irritation seemed to be the only thing he could feel.

He'd been called to the Homeland Security office for a meeting with the US personnel side of the various IBETs members. Every few months they'd gather to debrief on the program, looking for ways to improve their effectiveness. Usually Blake had plenty of ideas and opinions.

But not today. The Valentine's Day card in his pocket burned clean through his shirt to brand his skin.

It had arrived two days ago. He still didn't know what to make of it. Nor did he know if he wanted to respond. And the indecision was wreaking havoc on his psyche.

The handmade card was not just a greeting but also an invitation. A Valentine's Day dinner invitation. From Liz. Her sweet face danced through his mind, and his heart kicked into high gear demanding he acknowledge that he couldn't stop thinking about her. Couldn't stop dreaming of being with her, kissing her again. Holding her close, hearing her voice, her laugh.

For a man who didn't do emotions, that was all he seemed to be made of these days. A hot, messy glob of emotion.

His dad would have a field day of mockery if Blake ever admitted he'd fallen head over heels in love with a woman who made him
feel
.

“Hey, Blake. Earth to Blake.”

He snapped his attention to the man seated across the table from him. “What!”

“Whoa!” US Border Patrol agent Jeff Steele, raised his hand. “Dude, what's up with you?”

“Nothing.” Thankfully they were the only two in the room at the moment.

Blake better get his head back in the game before the other agents and officers, including the deputy director, joined them.

Jeff raised an eyebrow. “Something.”

He eyed the agent with interest. Steele had been married a little over a year now to a woman he'd met while on an assignment in northern Washington state. She was a doctor, a biologist actually. Together they'd brought down an illegal marijuana grower and human trafficker. “How did you know you loved Tessa?”

A slow grin spread over Jeff's face. “Ah, I see. You're in love, and you're not sure what to do about it.”

Blake grunted. “Something like that. So? You gonna answer the question?”

Jeff stroked his chin. “Well, I fell in love long before I decided to do something about it.”

“Yeah?” Blake straightened in his seat, his curiosity piqued.

“Let me put it this way, I didn't believe in love until I was hit with it square in the heart.” Jeff smiled. “I came to a point where I knew I couldn't live without her in my life. And that, brother, is the true test. Living without Tessa was miserable. I couldn't concentrate or barely think. Every moment apart was torture.”

“Hmmm,” Blake considered his words. His heartbeat sped up. He felt as if he was on the top of an iceberg and any second he'd fall off. “How long did that take?”

“Not long.” Jeff sat back. “Not long at all.”

They were interrupted by the arrival of the others. Nathanial took the seat next to him.

Jeff leaned forward to say. “What do you think of the mighty Fallon falling in love?”

Blake groaned. Great. Nathanial would have a field day with this information.

Nathanial grinned from ear to ear. “Well, well. This is news. Have to say I'm glad you've finally come to your senses.”

Had he come to his senses? It was either that or he'd lost his mind.

All through the meeting, Blake had to force himself to concentrate on the proceedings. Questions rolled around inside his head and his heart. Could he live without Liz? Did he want to?

Would loving her make him weak? Or would she be a source of strength like nothing else in his life?

By the time the meeting concluded, he'd come to a decision. He booked himself on the next flight out of Washington Dulles International Airport for South Carolina and to the resort island home of the woman he loved.

* * *

Nervous flutters danced in the pit of Liz's tummy as she waited inside Hilton Head Island's most posh restaurant. The hostess had seated her ten minutes ago. It would be another ten minutes before the time she'd told Blake to arrive. Would he show up? Or would she sit here alone, making a fool of herself?

She wiped her damp palms on the white napkin covering her lap. The red velvet dress Jillian had insisted on buying her hugged her like a second skin. Jillian had worked her wonders on Liz's limp hair, making the strands shine and adding a touch of bling in the form of clips holding her hair back from her face. Liz had allowed her sister to do her makeup with instructions to go light and was surprised when she'd looked in the mirror. Jillian really was good with makeup.

But was it all for nothing?

She took a drink of water to soothe the ache in her throat.

The glow of the votive candle on the table danced as someone came up to the table. Expecting the waitress wanting to take her order again, Liz glanced up. Her breath stalled at the sight of the handsome man regarding her with a tender smile.

“You're here,” she breathed out, hardly daring to believe Blake had actually showed. He'd received her card and accepted her invitation to dinner.

“I'm here.” He held out his hand. He looked sharp in a navy pinstripe suit with a red tie. Though he was dressed much as he'd been when they'd first met, she didn't view him the same at all. Back then he'd been imposing, striking fear in her. A cold threat blocking her rescue of her sister.

Now he was a man who represented respect and trust and honor. A man she admired and loved. A man who'd kept his promises. Gone was the hard and intimidating man she'd been afraid of. Now he was everything good and right in her world.

She was powerless not to slip her hand into his. Setting aside her napkin, she allowed him to draw her to her feet.

From behind his back, he produced her mother's inlaid cedar jewelry box.

She gasped in delight.

“The CI guys picked it up in the tunnel and after they cleared it in evidence, I convinced them to let me take it. I know how important it is to you.”

She reverently took the box and clutched it to her heart. “I thought it was lost forever.” Tears of gratitude filled her eyes. “How can I ever thank you?”

A slow grin spread across his face. “I'll think of something. May I tell you how beautiful you are?” he murmured with an admiring gleam in his eyes.

A blush flamed in her cheeks. “Yes, please.”

“You're stunning.” He pulled her close.

It felt amazing to be in his embrace. A place she never wanted to leave.

“Thank you,” she dropped her gaze. “You're very kind.” She peered up at him through her lashes. “And handsome in your suit.”

He lifted her chin with the crook of his finger. “Thank you for reaching out. I'm really happy you did.”

Elated to hear his words she thought for sure her feet must be floating ten inches above the ground. “You are?”

He nodded and dipped his head for a tender kiss. His lips were soft, warm, like home. When he pulled away she leaned toward him wanting more.

“We should order,” he said, making her aware of the curious stares of the other restaurant patrons.

Heat climbing up her neck, she nodded and sat back in her seat. He sat down across from her and immediately took her hand across the table. “Happy Valentine's Day.”

Giddy with delight, she gazed into the eyes of the man she loved and said, “Happy Valentine's Day to you, too.”

He lifted his water goblet. “To us.”

She tilted her head as she lifted her glass with her free hand. What did this mean? “Is there an ‘us'?”

He set his glass down. Then took her glass and placed it on the table before gathering both of her hands in his.

“I very much want for there to be an ‘us.' Don't you?”

The uncertainty in his eyes tugged at her heart. He was as scared of his feelings as she was of her own. Tenderness and affection flooded her. Love overflowed her heart. She leaned toward him. “Yes, I do.”

She swallowed back the fear that threatened to keep her words from coming out. Pushing forward she had to jump in with both feet. “These past few weeks without you have been agonizing. Every moment of every day I've wanted to see you, to touch you, to be with you. I don't think I can go on without you because I love you, Blake Fallon.”

The admission dislodged something inside of her. She suddenly felt so free, so light without the burden of fear. She didn't have to worry about losing herself to love. With Blake she'd found herself. “I hope that one day maybe you can love me, too.”

A slow smile spread across his handsome face, and his eyes filled with joy. “You have no idea how happy that makes me to hear you say that.”

He mirrored her move and leaned closer. Their lips were inches apart. Their gazes locked. “I haven't been able to concentrate or even think from the moment you left me at the airport. I don't want to live without you. I can't live without you. I love you, Liz Cantrell. And I hope one day you'll do me the honor of becoming my wife.”

Euphoria, like she'd never known before, had her closing the distance between them for a kiss that she knew cemented their love for each other.

When the kiss ended, she saw the love she felt reflected there in his warm, chocolate gaze. Her heart melted within her chest. “I would be honored to be your wife. To love you, honor you and cherish you all the days of my life.

His boyish grin curled her toes. “Excellent.”

She squeezed his hands. “I will live wherever you need to live.”

“I only need to be where there's an airport close by.”

“There's one close by here,” she couldn't keep the lift of hope out of her tone.

He wagged his eyebrows. “I know. When should we do this?”

She grinned back at him. “As soon as we can?”

“Yes, please.” He captured her lips again and the world faded to only them and their love.

EPILOGUE

L
iz dug her toes into the warm sand and stared out at the beautiful azure blue of Caribbean sea, the water stretching for miles in all directions. The white masts of sailboats provided perspective to delineate the blue-green water from the cloudless blue sky. A salty breeze tickled across her skin and the sun's rays kissed her back, bathing her in a warm glow.

Peace like she'd never known made her muscles languid and her mind free to appreciate the turn of events that had lead her to this moment. As difficult as the ordeal in Niagara Falls had been, what with Jillian being kidnapped and held for ransom, Liz traveling north and working with the IBETs team to rescue her sister and to bring down the criminal mastermind behind the illegal smuggling of contraband between several countries, some really good things had resulted.

Her sister was free and studying business and taking a real interest and responsibility in the antique store. Jillian had even set up a section of the store to display and sell her artwork. She'd decided to honor her marriage vows to Travis and awaited his time in prison to end. Twice a week she made the trek to Edgefield, South Carolina, where Travis was incarcerated in the state's federal penitentiary. Thanks to Blake, the courts had granted Travis's request to do his time as close to Jillian as he could get. In three years he'd be released. Jillian was counting off the days.

Santini and Ken were both in federal prisons in other states. If Liz never saw either of the two men again as long as she lived she'd die happy. And the man who had told Ken the police didn't have the necklace had been arrested as well, along with the dirty Niagara Regional Police officer. A cousin who'd been feeding him information.

Then there was Blake.

Who would have guessed that a stolen necklace of uncut diamonds would bring the most wonderful man into her life? A man more valuable than any jewel could ever be.

That Valentine's Day dinner six months ago had been the beginning of a new life. A life more wondrous than she could ever have imagined. Blake had become a constant in her life and two days ago they'd married before their family and friends. The little community church on Hilton Head Island had been filled to the brim. On his side were his parents, his sister and her family and a whole slew of agents and officers from both the United States and Canada. So many that several had spilled over to her side of the aisle to claim the few remaining seats.

It had seemed as if the whole town had turned out for her wedding. Sheriff Ward had given her away in her father's stead. Jillian had been the perfect matron of honor and Nathanial the best man. The reception had lasted well into the evening, almost making her and Blake late for the flight to their island honeymoon destination.

A shadow passed over her, drawing her attention. Shielding her eyes from the sun, she stared up at the man whom she'd pledged her undying love to.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“Thinking.”

He plopped down in the sand beside her and kissed her bare shoulder. “Happy thoughts, I hope.”

“Yes, very happy.”

He stretched out his tanned legs. “You're not worrying about Jillian and the shop are you?”

She laughed. “No. She'll do just fine without me there.”

Twirling his fingers into her hair, he said, “Good. Because I don't want to share you with anyone.”

“Never?”

He wagged his eyebrows at her. “Well, at least until we have kids.”

She giggled at the prospect of filling the cottage they'd purchased on Hilton Head Island, just a few blocks from the shop, with children. Since now Blake was working from home and traveling only when he was on a case, he'd be there to help raise their kids. “I like the sound of that.”

“I like this place.” He leaned back onto his elbows, turning his handsome face to the sun. “I could get used to the sunshine.”

She followed his lead by leaning back and then shifted onto one elbow to face him. “I think we should do this every year.”

“Do what?”

She grinned and bumped her shoulder to his. “A yearly honeymoon.”

He rolled toward her and propped himself on his elbow. With his finger he drew little circles on her arm. “Our first married tradition.”

Love for this man filled her heart to near bursting. “The first of many traditions.”

As they kissed, Liz could feel God's smile surround them and she knew without a doubt that their lives, their futures, were in His hands.

* * * * *

Keep reading for an excerpt from
PLAIN DANGER
by Debby Giusti.