by B. J Daniels
He burst into a smile, his eyes swimming in tears. “I’ll do that.”
Epilogue
From the porch of the Smoking Barrel Ranch, Jake watched the helicopter touch down on the front lawn. Behind him in the house, he could hear Rosa and Elena in a discussion about what to make for dessert. Jake only half listened to their running conversation. They were both speaking in lightning-speed Spanish, as Elena trailed along behind the good-natured cook.
He watched as a man jumped down from the chopper and, keeping low, ran toward the house.
Behind him, the rugged Texas plains ran to the vast horizon. The waning sun turned the distant Davis Mountains to pale purple.
The federal agent stopped at the bottom of the porch steps. “The new director asked that I see you get this personally.” He held out a large manila envelope marked Confidential.
Jake took it and, with a slight nod, the man retreated to the helicopter. Once he was back inside, it lifted off again. Jake watched until the chopper was no more than a dark speck against the pale sky.
He turned at the sound of footsteps behind him as Abby came through the screen door to join him. She was dressed in jeans, boots and a western shirt that hugged her lush curves. He pulled her to him, thinking about the baby growing inside her. Their child. A sister for Elena. Or a brother. Not that it mattered. They’d have more children. Maybe they’d fill this old ranch house.
They’d already outgrown his cabin on the acreage he’d bought from Mitchell. The place sat overlooking Ash Pond and now rang with the sounds of laughter and little girl giggles. He’d been working all summer on an addition, excited about the nursery he’d built and Abby had decorated.
“What is it?” she asked when she noticed the envelope in his hand.
“The original reports on the fingerprints from the handcuffs, the autopsy on the body in Abby Diaz’s grave and DNA on Elena,” he said.
“You haven’t opened it?”
He leaned down and kissed her. “I already know everything I need to know. How about you?”
She looked up at him and shook her head as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
“I love you, Abby,” he whispered against her hair. “After dinner I intend to show you just how much.”
She laughed and curled into the crook of his arm as they headed back into the house. Her memory had returned. And along with it, her love for him. It blazed in her eyes, in her touch. He couldn’t quit looking at her. He especially couldn’t quit touching her. It had taken a while, but he was finally beginning to believe that Abby and Elena were safe.
As he opened the screen door and drew her inside the house, he tossed the envelope on the table. Elena came running, wrapping herself around their legs.
“We’re going to have flan for dessert. Rosa said I could help. I get to break the eggs and stir and I helped with the enchiladas. Rosa says I’m a great cook.”
Jake laughed as he ran a hand over the child’s sleek black hair. She’d blossomed since they’d arrived at the ranch. He’d never seen a child like her. She amazed him every day and thrilled him. He had never known such love. Except for the love he felt for her mother.
He glanced up to see that most everyone had gathered in the kitchen. He could smell enchiladas cooking in the oven, Elena’s favorite, and hear their neighbor Maddie Wells arguing with Mitchell about his health.
“He doesn’t take care of himself,” Maddie called after Mitchell as he came out into the foyer. He winked at Jake and Abby as he passed.
“The woman loves me,” Mitchell said, shaking his head.
His impossible executive assistant Penny Archer trailed right behind him, complaining that someone had been in her computer files. “We need better security around here, Mitchell.”
Jake led the way into the big, bright country kitchen, his arm still around Abby, Elena riding along on the tops of his boots. Catharine, Brady Morgan’s new bride, was making a salad, or at least trying to. Brady couldn’t seem to leave her alone. Rosa was laughing at something Slim, their Romeo of a ranch hand, had said, her face flushed.
Jake pulled out a chair for Abby, then drew one up for himself as he pulled Elena onto his lap. His heart swelled at the sight of his family.
IN THE OTHER ROOM, Penny picked up the manila envelope marked Confidential from the front table. “Isn’t this the proof the FBI promised on Abby and Elena?”
Mitchell nodded.
“Jake didn’t even open it,” she said.
Mitchell smiled as he looked back into the kitchen. “Jake knows everything he needs to know.” He took the envelope from her and tossed it into the fireplace. The flames quickly devoured the pages.
Penny gasped as she watched them burn.
“Mitchell, you might want to hear this,” Maddie called from the kitchen. “Jake has an announcement.”
Mitchell offered his arm to his assistant.
Penny took it but mugged a face at him as she did. “What now?” she grumbled.
“Oh, I have a pretty good idea,” he said. “I’d suggest you get busy and learn how to knit baby booties.”
“Not likely,” she groaned. “I have enough to do around here.”
“Abby and I are getting married,” Jake announced when they were all in the large ranch kitchen. He turned to Abby and, reaching into his pocket, pulled out a heart-shaped locket on a silver chain. The silver gleamed as he put the locket around her neck. “She’s said she’ll have me.”
Everyone applauded but he held up a hand to silence them. “That’s not all,” he said with a laugh. “Elena is going to have a brother or sister come next spring.” He smiled at Abby and Elena. Mitchell had never seen him so happy.
Elena cheered and clapped. “Mommy says I can be a flower girl and dance with Daddy at the wedding and wear a really pretty dress.” She danced around the room, then stopped as a thought hit her. “I want a brother and a sister and a horse.”
Everyone laughed.
“Anyone seen Rafe?” Cody, the youngest agent, asked from the doorway. Rafael “Rafe” Alvarez was the charmer of all the agents, Cody often the sullen, moody one.
“He’s out riding patrol, why?” Slim asked.
Cody shook his head. “What’s going on here?”
“Just the usual,” Mitchell said as he let his gaze fall on his ever-growing family. “This calls for a toast.”
He broke out the champagne and filled glasses, promising Maddie he’d only have a little.
He lifted his glass. It surprised him, the lump he felt in his throat as he looked around the room. He wished Rafe was here for this. And Daniel Austin, the agent they’d lost last year.
He touched his glass to Maddie’s. “To everlasting love.”
Special thanks and acknowledgment are given to B.J. Daniels for her contribution to the Texas Confidential miniseries.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-6164-2
THE AGENT’S SECRET CHILD
Copyright © 2000 by Harlequin Books S.A.
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