A Time to Protect (23 page)

Doubts flickered over her porcelain face.

“Have I ever lied to you?”

She shook her head.

“And I never will. I can’t give you the guarantee you’re looking for, I can’t promise to protect you against everything life sends. But I can promise you that I’ll always be there for you, and I’ll always tell you the truth. Will you promise me the same?”

She stared at him, a tiny frown pleating her forehead. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“If we’re dating and you decide you don’t want anything more to do with me, promise you’ll tell me. Because I don’t want to be walked out on, either.”

Her eyes widened to huge blue sapphires.

“It’s not just men who abandon, Chloe. Women do it, too. What guarantee do I have that you won’t make promises you can’t keep?”

“That’s not very likely, Brendan.”

“Why?” He needed to hear her say it, needed some reassurance that he hadn’t just made a colossal mistake by exposing his heart. “Where’s your guarantee?”

“I don’t have one. I can only tell you that you’ve been the best gift I got this Christmas. You cared for my kids as their real father should have, you taught me to look beyond the past and see what could be. You’ve shown me trust is a two way street. I’d like to get to know who you are a whole lot better, Brendan Montgomery. But I already know that I care about you more than I ever thought I could.”

His heart began rejoicing but Brendan used caution. “And?”

“I want some time to give the kids a chance to think of us as a couple,” she said quietly, threading her fingers through his, blue eyes sparkling with excitement. “I want time for our families to blend, for me to change my focus to the future. I trusted God that night and He was there. I need time to dig deeper into that, to relax and let Him lead me.”

“We have lots of time, Chloe.”

“Not here you don’t. It’s past closing time.” Madge held out the bill, her bottom lip jutting out. “I’ve got to get home to my old man and my kids. You guys need to leave.”

Brendan rose, held Chloe’s coat. “You heard the lady. Let’s go.”

He hurried her out the door, fastened her coat, then drew her into his arms on the steps of the Stagecoach Café and kissed her with all the longing he’d kept bottled up inside for so long.

And Chloe kissed him right back.

Sometime later she pulled away, cheeks flushed, eyes dancing. “We’re drawing a crowd,” she whispered.

“Do I look worried?” Brendan tucked her arm in his, led her down the street, away from the curious eyes. She pulled her hood up as soft fluttering snowflakes danced toward earth. They came faster, more furious, until barely a patch of ground could be seen. Still they walked, content to be together, unafraid.

“It’s as if God is creating a clean white slate for me to write my future on,” Chloe said, amazed at the thought of such love.

“One I intend to share. I can hardly wait to show you how good we’re going to be together.”

“I can hardly wait to find out.” She drew him under a huge spruce tree, wrapped her arms around his waist and offered her lips as a promise.

Which he accepted.

“I
t’s me,
El Jefe.”

“I was wondering when you’d call. For a mole you are extremely elusive.” He masked his frustration. Anger was only a useful tool when it could be used to accomplish something. “And you’re late.”

“I have many responsibilities. Since Alistair Barclay is gone, I suggest we proceed to the next phase of your plan.”

“The next? But the first is not complete. The mayor still lives.”

“He’s in a coma. There’s nothing he can do to us.”

“I specifically ordered his death, but the idiot who was supposed to finish him is now in custody.”

“I know. The woman identified him, Chief. There’s no point in pursuing her now. Pushing ahead with the plan will accomplish more than trying to kill some pathetic single mother.”

He thought it over. “Fine. What do you suggest?”

“Patience, Chief. Your plan is falling into place. The danger is within, though they don’t know it. Yet.”

“You are right. They must be made to pay,” he repeated, then hung up the phone. “They must all pay.”