Hidden Threat

by Connie Mann

  Cole kept his eyes trained on the door at the end of the hallway behind the receptionist’s desk. He saw Eve walk through, wearing a tidy pantsuit and another pair of those crazy-high heels. She almost stumbled when she saw him standing there.

  He grinned and held out the flowers. “Hello, Evie.”

  “Wha-what are you doing here?” She took the flowers and grinned. “My favorite.”

  He grinned back. “I know.” He looked over her shoulder at the receptionist, who wasn’t even pretending not to listen to every word. “Why don’t we walk outside?”

  At her nod, he took her elbow and led her through the double doors.

  Once they were outside, his carefully rehearsed speech vanished, and he pulled her close and kissed her like he was a starving man and she a banquet. After a moment of shock, she kissed him back as though she felt the same way. Which Cole took as a positive sign.

  He could stand out here and kiss her forever—and hoped to be able to do exactly that—but first . . . he eased her back and cradled her cheeks in his hands. “I was a complete idiot to ever let you leave Safe Harbor. Come home, Eve.”

  “Why?” she asked, but there was a twinkle in her eye.

  “Because I miss you. I want you with me.”

  She narrowed her eyes and waited.

  He huffed out a breath. “You’re going to make me say it, aren’t you?”

  “Oh yes. Absolutely.”

  With that he fell to one knee and took her hand, holding fast when she looked around at the curious passersby and tried to step back. “Eve Jackson, I love you. I love your determination to make the world a better place; I love your devotion to your family. And I’m hoping that you love me, too. Will you marry me and live on the ranch with me?”

  Eve’s eyes filled, but she cocked her head and pretended to consider the matter. “That depends. Can we build an eco-friendly house?”

  His eyes widened. “You mean like a sod hut?”

  “Something like that.”

  “I’ll live in a tent, if that’s what it takes. Marry me.”

  She pulled him to his feet and wrapped her arms around his neck. “What took you so long to get here, cowboy?”

  After another long kiss, he pulled back and met her smiling eyes. “Is that a yes?”

  “Yes, yes, yes.”

  “Then I suppose I should give you this.” He pulled out a platinum band with a square-cut emerald and slipped it on her finger. “The emerald is lab created, of course.”

  She grinned. “Of course.” She angled her hand to look at it. “It’s perfect. And so are you.”

  “You haven’t said it.” He raised his eyebrows, made an out-with-it motion with his hands.

  Eve cupped his cheeks and said, “I love you, Cole.”

  There wasn’t an ounce of hesitation in her eyes, and his last worry vanished. “See, that wasn’t so hard.” He pulled her close for another kiss before he said, “The receptionist said you were heading out. Am I keeping you from something?”

  She tipped her head and shot him that saucy grin he loved. “Only my riding lesson. Want to come?”

  Cole threw back his head and laughed before he pulled her into his arms and swung her around. Life with Evie would never be dull.

  “Oh, and I have some boxes in my office I need to get, but I can explain about those later.”

  He flagged a cab, and they headed for a riding stable not far out of town while Eve filled him in on her conversation with Mr. Braddock.

  She talked a mile a minute the whole way, but all Cole remembered was that she’d said she loved him. And she was coming home.

  Epilogue

  The wedding was held at Sutton Ranch in a smaller barn that had been cleaned out and converted for the event. Sasha, Jesse, and Blaze, together with Hector, Buzz, and Alice, had transformed the place with hundreds of fairy lights that were strung from the rafters. There were hay bales arranged as seating and long tables with wooden benches; mason jars with candles inside dotted the tabletops.

  Inside the ranch house, Eve paced the back bedroom. “Is it time yet?” she asked Sasha.

  “Relax, sis. You’ve still got another thirty minutes.”

  “That can’t be right. I’ve been waiting forever.”

  “It just seems like forever. It’ll be here before you know it.”

  Blaze poked her head in the room. “Mama Rosa and Pop are here.”

  Eve turned as Mama came into the room and gasped at the sight of her. “Oh, my Evie, you are beautiful.” Tears rolled down her cheeks, and Eve started fanning her face.

  “Don’t you make me cry or I will have to redo my makeup.”

  Pop stepped around Mama, took her hands, and held them out at her sides. “You are a picture, Eve. So beautiful.” He leaned over and carefully kissed her cheek. She leaned into him, smelling his familiar aftershave, and suddenly the last of the anger over what happened to Nick finally drifted away. Family did the best they could. Sometimes it wasn’t enough, but in this case, it would have to be.

  Several minutes later, Blaze poked her head in again. “Cat is here.”

  Eve and Sasha exchanged a glance. It had taken quite a bit of doing on Eve’s part to get their sister to agree to come to the wedding, and even more persuasion to get her to bring her violin and agree to play for both ceremony and reception.

  Cat walked in and Eve’s eyes filled, but she resolutely blinked the tears away. Today was not the day for tears. Cat looked beautiful in her flowing green dress, but she was still too thin, and her eyes looked haunted. Her straight black hair accented her pale skin, making it almost translucent.

  Eve gathered her in a careful hug, afraid Cat would break if she squeezed too hard. “I’ve missed you, Cat. Thank you for coming.”

  Cat glanced at Sasha, then back to Eve. “Nobody twists arms like you do.”

  Sasha, who never wore a fancy dress if she could help it, grinned and indicated the gauzy blue dress she wore with a snort. “No argument there.”

  Eve squeezed Cat’s hands. “I can’t wait to catch up with you. After the reception, OK?”

  Cat’s eyes darted around the room before coming back to Eve’s. “I’ll stay as long as I can. No promises, though, OK?”

  Eve’s radar twitched. “Cat? What’s wrong?”

  Cat shook her head. “It’s complicated. Just enjoy your day, and we’ll catch up when we can.” She brushed a kiss over Eve’s cheek and slipped back out the door.

  She and Sasha looked at each other.

  “There’s still something bad wrong in her life,” Sasha said.

  Eve nodded, wringing her hands. “I know. I need to find out what it is.”

  But before she could follow her, Blaze poked her head in again. “Nick is here.”

  Sasha checked the clock. “It’s showtime. Send him in.”

  He walked in looking a bit uncomfortable but extremely handsome in his new suit. “You look beautiful, Eve.” He glanced around. “You, too, Sasha. And Blaze.”

  “You clean up pretty good for a cop,” Blaze responded. High praise indeed.

  Eve linked her arm with his, and then they walked out into the hallway and she linked her other arm with Pop’s. She would walk down the aisle with both of them. Her past and her future, all together. It seemed only right.

  As soon as Eve walked through the door of the barn and laid eyes on Cole, everything else faded away. She still couldn’t believe this amazing man loved her. Cat played beautifully, the preacher spoke, and she and Cole exchanged vows, but it all slipped past Eve as though it were a beautiful dream. Between one heartbeat and the next, the ceremony was over and she was dancing to a slow song with her new husband.

  Her heart full, she looked around and saw Mama Rosa and Pop, her head on his shoulder as they shuffled in place. Her eyes widened as she caught sight of Blaze, held in the arms of the young man who regularly picked her up for school. She locked eyes with Sasha, who noticed and raised her eyebrows as she and Jesse slowly swayed
to the music of Cat’s violin. Even Sasha’s aunt was there, smiling from her table.

  Eve watched Cat, amazed again that her sister had agreed to come after her long silence, but she was here, and that was all that mattered. Eve caught her eye and Cat winked, then kept playing.

  Eve swallowed back more tears and smiled as Cole lifted her chin. “I love you, Mrs. Sutton.”

  “I love you, Mr. Sutton.”

  “What do you say we get out of here and get our own party started?” He raised his eyebrows, and Eve grinned, then gave a little yelp of surprise as he swooped her into his arms, just like her first day back in town.

  She glanced down at the cowboy boots peeking out from under her gown and grinned. This time, she had the proper footwear for whatever came next.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  My heartfelt thanks to these wonderful folks who helped bring this story from idea to book.

  For Amanda Leuck, my fabulous agent, who worked so hard on my behalf.

  For Sheryl Zajechowski and the whole Waterfall team. You all are such a pleasure to work with.

  For Leslie Santamaria, who makes this crazy writing journey such fun—and always knows what I meant to say.

  For my lovely FCRW chapter mates. Your support and encouragement mean the world.

  For Lisa Saupp, who lent her extensive water expertise and answered myriad water questions. Jim Carty let me pick his brain on all things ranch related, and Maria Klopfenstein helped me think through all my medical scenarios. Any mistakes are totally my own.

  My thanks, always, to the Great Creator who gives us the gift of story, and to my family, who cheer me on and graciously accept the wacky world of a writer.

  And last, but never least, thank you, dear readers, for reading my stories and inviting me into your lives. I am so very blessed.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Photo © 2015 Michele Klopfenstein

  Connie Mann is a licensed boat captain and the author of the romantic suspense novels Tangled Lies, Angel Falls, and Trapped! as well as various works of shorter fiction. She has lived in seven different states but has happily called warm, sunny Florida home for more than twenty years. When she’s not dreaming up plotlines, you’ll find “Captain Connie” on Central Florida’s waterways, introducing boats full of schoolchildren to their first alligator. She is also passionate about helping women and children in developing countries follow their dreams and break the poverty cycle. In addition to boating, she and her husband enjoy spending time with their grown children and extended family and planning their next travel adventures. You can visit Connie online at www.conniemann.com.