She kissed him, a gentle wisp across his chin. “You said gas fumes were combustible, worse than fuel. So I lit the end of the rags and slipped overboard on the far side of the boat. I’m sorry I blew it up.”
“Honey, I’ll let you blow up a hundred boats if you promise to stay with me forever.”
“I know I can prove my innocence. Just give me some time.”
He hadn’t thought he’d ever laugh again, but a chuckle bubbled up. “You aren’t guilty of anything, just like you said. Nobody wants to arrest you.”
“I don’t understand.”
“The FBI had you under surveillance. They knew you weren’t part of Mason’s operation and were hunting you to use as a witness against Mason. They also have information to clear your name from the drug-transporting conviction.”
Zane caressed her soft cheek. “Honey, I hate what your father did to you, and no one can give you that year back. If you’ll let me, I’m willing to spend the rest of my life making you happy. I’ll tell the FBI I hid the coins on the boat and they’re gone. They’ll just have to deal with it.”
She graced him with a blazing smile. “The coins aren’t gone.”
“Yes they are, baby. I stuck them under the anchor rope.”
“I know. When I pulled the anchor rope out to tie the wheel, I found them. The coins are lying about fifty feet behind me on the seawall.”
Epilogue
Zane placed the Titan on autopilot and leaned back.
“How dressy is the party? I don’t know how anyone can get excited about Christmas in Florida,” Angel wondered aloud while she poured Zane a cup of coffee.
“The longer you live here, the more normal it seems. You’ll see all kind of styles tomorrow night.” He took a sip and said, “Everything you wear looks terrific on…or off.”
She rolled her eyes at him and switched topics. “I can’t wait for Trish to get back.”
“She probably misses you and Heidi just as much. I’m amazed at the change in her. I never realized she had the makings of a business dynamo.”
“Her shop is really doing well,” Angel said. “I hope she takes some time off after this buying trip. She’s been on the road a lot.”
“I don’t think you’re going to slow her down anytime soon.” Zane leaned across to tuck Angel’s sweater together in front. “Don’t get chilled. I can push the heat up if you’re cold.”
“I’m fine, stop fussing over me.” She smiled then sighed. “I’ll be real fine when the trial is done.”
“Honey, get used to being doted on.” He grinned back at her, thinking he’d never get tired of having her near to pamper. “And the trial is going to be a cakewalk. The FBI has enough to put Lorde away for years.”
Reaching over, he brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, an excuse to touch her. “You’re their star witness, but Lorde’s organization imploded once his people realized he was busted. Everyone’s rolling over and cutting deals.”
“How is the High Vision case coming?”
Angel could change mental gears faster than he flipped switches in the cockpit.
“It’s still in limbo, but we’re getting some new blood. Got a young hotshot coming down from Atlanta. He’ll be part of a specialized task force we’re creating,” Zane explained.
“Will you have to train him?” she asked in a pensive voice.
“Don’t worry. From what I hear, it’s not a matter of training him so much as keeping an eye on him. He’s something of a wild card. Now that I’m coordinating field operations, I just have to make sure everyone’s on the same page.”
He made a minor adjustment to the controls then returned the airplane to autopilot. “What are you going to do with the money from the museum?” he asked.
He’d never forget the surprise on her face when she heard about the six-figure reward offered for the return of the coins. In an effort to make up for the wrongs she’d suffered, the FBI made sure Angel received every penny.
“I’d like to go back to school,” she began. “But I also want to help other women. I don’t have an exact plan, but Trish and I have kicked around some ideas.”
Reference to school made him reflect on her scholarship and lost running opportunities. “Are you disappointed you couldn’t compete in the Tamarind Triathlon?”
“No, but you should feel guilty. It’s all your fault,” she declared, a teasing sparkle in her eyes.
“Nay, nay.” He shook his finger tauntingly at her. “I’ll take fifty percent of the responsibility, Mrs. Jackson. Good thing I made an honest woman of you when I did.” He cocked an accusatory eyebrow at her.
“I did not lie. I just said the Pill was equally effective. I never said I was taking the Pill.” Angel patted her middle, just beginning to thicken, and smiled wryly at him. “And you said you married me right after the explosion so you could keep me legally locked away.”
Zane rolled his eyes, laughing, “You’ll be able to compete in two years. Junior and I will be at the finish line to cheer you on as you win.”
“Junior? You better prepare yourself for the possibility of a girl.”
Zane envisioned holding a little angel in another five months. She’d have dark coppery hair and border on perfection if at least half of her genes came from her mother.
“Honey, nothing would make me happier. I’m partial to angels.”
ISBN: 978-1-4268-7109-2
WORTH EVERY RISK
Copyright © 2005 by Dianna Love Snell
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