Agent Undercover (17 page)

“Will you push me?”

“In a few minutes.”

He bounded off, and Paige took a deep breath. She walked over to Dylan, who opened his arms.

As though it was the most natural thing in the world, she slipped into them, felt them close around her.

Breathing in his clean scent, the smell of his cologne once again surrounding her, she lay her head on his chest. “My mom died this morning.”

His sharp, indrawn breath echoed in her ear as he pushed her back to look in her eyes. “I’m so sorry.”

He placed a kiss on her forehead, and she felt a tear trickle down her cheek.

“I’m sorry, too. Sorry I couldn’t do anything for her.”

He pulled her back into a tight squeeze. “It’s not your fault.” Dylan’s sympathetic rumble almost made her smile. Almost.

“I don’t want to be like her. All alone. Afraid to love anyone after the way she was treated by most of the men
in her life. I don’t want to be like that.” She paused. “I don’t want to leave, but I’m afraid I don’t know how to be a mother.” Softly she told him about Ben and how guilty she felt for not saving him.

The arms around her tightened. “Have faith, Paige. God brought you here for that very reason. So that you could see that your maternal instincts are good. Will loves you.”

His husky plea sent her heart spiraling, pounding. “I’m scared,” she whispered. “Scared I’m not good enough. Scared I can’t get over my past.”

“I know. But if you run from us, from your future, you’ll always be scared. Stay and fight for us. Face your fears, and you’ll find you had nothing to fear in the first place.”

She shuddered, then gave a shaky smile. “The way you made Will stay at that restaurant and eat even after he’d almost been snatched?”

Dylan nodded. “As much as I wanted to pick him up and run out of there, never to return. But that would be silly because that’s being scared of something that can’t hurt you.”

“But failing you and Will
can
hurt me,” she whispered. “And not just me, it can hurt two people I’ve come to … care about very much.”

He placed a finger under her chin to bring her eyes up to meet his.

The love there sucked the air from her lungs.

“You know, God doesn’t want us to be afraid. He actually wants to give us the desires of our heart, keeping His will for us in sight.” He placed a light kiss on her lips. “I believe God sent you into our lives for a reason. Not just to get the bad guy tormenting us, but because God had a more permanent arrangement in mind.”

“You think?” She wanted to believe it.

“I think. You’re amazing with Will. I know you doubt
your parenting, but all parents do. You have nothing to worry about.”

“But I—”

“That’s not to say you’ll be perfect. Any more than I’ll be the perfect dad. We’re human. We’re going to mess up. But we’ll be leaning on God, trusting Him to guide us—and probably asking for forgiveness and more guidance. A lot.”

“Dylan, I—”

“And—” he placed a finger on her lips “—one of the things I know about you is that you’ll protect that child with your life. Before you knew him, you could have died trying to save him. You put his life before yours. What other qualifications for motherhood does one need?”

She ran out of protests. He was right. She would die for either one of them. Emotion swelled inside her.

What do I do, God?

Staring into the eyes of love, she felt peace rocket through her. Not that the fear totally left her, but she finally wanted something more.

And she knew what she was supposed to do.

“Okay. I’ll stay. I’ll give us a chance.”

His eyes shot wide. And his jaw dropped.

She laughed and pulled his lips to hers. After one of the sweetest kisses she’d ever experienced, Dylan grabbed her in a bear hug, lifted her up and swung her in a circle. “Yes!”

Will came running over, excitement lighting his eyes. “Did you ask her, Uncle Dylan? Is she going to marry us?”

Her heart stilled as Dylan planted her feet back on the ground. A smile graced his lips. “Well, I was going to take it a little slower than that. Not that I’m in doubt, but I didn’t
want to push you. However, that’s where I’d like to end up. With you in a white dress.”

“And I get to wear a tux with a green bow tie.” Will grinned up at her.

Nearly overwhelmed with emotion, she hauled in a deep breath. “Green?” was all she could think to say.

Will shrugged. “I like green.”

A laugh burst from her, and she reached out to snag him into the circle of love.

Turning serious, she stared at Dylan. “I’m not easy to love.”

His smile never wavered. “I’m willing to take my chances.”

Paige looked down at Will. “Okay, I guess you’re stuck with me.”

Will let out a whoop and shot his fist into the air.

Dylan grinned down at her. “I think he approves.”

The smile stayed on her lips as she stared up at him. “I know I don’t want to lose you, Dylan. But I have to be honest. I need to take it slow.”

He nodded and let his forehead tap hers. “Slow is fine. It’s a chance, and that’s all we’re asking for.”

Tears welled up and fell over onto her cheeks. “I can do that.”

Two years later
May

“H
e’s got my hair, Mama Paige. Ow! Make him let go.”

Paige hurried into the den and couldn’t hold in the giggle. Eight-year-old Will lay on the floor beside David, his six-month-old baby cousin.

The infant had tangled his little fingers in Will’s shaggy head. David now tried to bring those strands into his open mouth.

Paige gently released Will from the hold, and he rolled away rubbing the sore spot on his head. His lips split into a grin. “He’s strong.”

“I know. Gotta be careful around those fingers, kiddo.” David rolled over onto his stomach and kicked his legs.

Soon he’d be crawling, then walking. Then running. Looking at her two boys, love overwhelmed her, choked her up and made her grateful all at the same time.

The door shut and Will popped up to race into his uncle’s open arms.

Paige picked up David before he could scoot any farther
off the rug and placed him on her hip. His hand went straight for her hair.

One hand wrapped around his well-padded rear and the other holding his hand so he didn’t leave a bald patch, she walked into the kitchen to find Dylan on his knees looking Will in the eyes. They looked very serious.

“What’s up, guys?” They started and looked at her. Suspicion narrowed her eyes. “What are you two planning?”

Will broke into a giggle, and Dylan gave a sheepish grin. “We need to get ready if we’re going to church.”

She frowned. “I would love to go, but you’ve had a really long night. I know you’re exhausted.”

“Not too exhausted to go to church with my family.”

For the first time, she noticed his hand behind his back. “What are you hiding?”

Another laugh from Will. Another grin from Dylan.

“Um. Nothing?” Dylan teased.

“Uh-huh, I’m not buying it. What do you have?”

“Show her, Uncle Dylan, show her!”

Will’s excitement fueled hers. What was her husband up to?

With a flourish, he pulled his hand from behind his back and presented her with four red roses. Dylan bounced on his toes. “There’s four. One for each of us.”

Paige felt her heart swell. “Aw. That’s really sweet.”

Dylan leaned over and placed a kiss on his son’s head, then one on his wife’s lips. He smiled down at her and said, “Happy Mother’s Day, Paige.”

She let the tears flow over. Her first Mother’s Day. Her eyes bounced back and forth between Dylan and Will and baby David. “Yeah, this is my first Mother’s Day with David, but—” she passed the baby to Dylan and dropped to her knees in front of Will “—when you opened your heart to me and loved me, you made me feel like a mother
even before David was born.” She reached out and drew him to her. “Thank you so much for that, Will. I love you very much.”

“I know. I love you, too.” The child hugged her back then skipped off into the den.

Paige looked at Dylan. “Thanks for not giving up on me.”

“Thank you for not giving up on yourself.”

“I probably would have if you hadn’t come along.”

He grinned. “God knows what we need when we need it. I’m glad He decided to use me.”

Paige laughed. “You’re going to remind me of that often, aren’t you?”

“Yep.”

“Cool.”

And with one hand still holding the baby, he wrapped the other around her shoulders to place a kiss on her lips, and Paige reveled in the place she now called home. Dylan’s arms.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

1. In the opening scene, Paige risks her life to save little Will Price. As a result, it created a bond between the child and Paige. How do you feel about that? Would you be willing to die for a child you didn’t know?
   
2. Can you make that particular scene symbolic? A representation of Christ’s love for his children?
   
3. In the beginning of the story, Paige must deceive Dylan about her true identity. How do you feel about that?
   
4. Paige was a real loner in life. No real friends other than those she worked with, and even then, she didn’t let anyone get too close. What do you think it was about Dylan that made him special? How did he get past Paige and her armor?
   
5. One of Paige’s biggest concerns was falling for a man who wanted children. She was determined she’d never be a mother because she was afraid she’d turn out just like her own. Did you feel her fears were well-founded? Did you identify with her inner conflict of loving Dylan and Will, but being afraid of failing them, too?
   
6. Growing up, Paige’s saving grace was the couple in her neighborhood who selflessly gave of themselves. They fed her body
   and
   her spirit. As a result, Paige was able to believe in herself and that she could rise above her circumstances to make something out of
   her life. Do you know people like this? What do you think would happen if more people displayed God’s love in this manner?
   
7. What was your favorite scene? Why?
   
8. Who was your favorite character and why?
   
9. What did you think about Paige’s job as a school counselor? Did you think it was a good cover for her?
   
10. I fell in love with Will Price. What did you think of his character?
    
11. Were you able to figure out who the villain was? If so, what gave him away?
    
12. Paige wanted to be a mother. But she was afraid. When she finally let it go, gave it to God, she found a new freedom. Has that ever happened to you? What are you afraid of? Can you give it to God and find freedom in being rid of that fear?
    
13. Do you live in an area that is at risk for tornadoes?
    
14. Do you fear natural disasters and weather occurrences? How can you overcome that?
    
15. If you were in Will’s position, what would you do and why? Would you keep silent to protect others or tell?
    

ISBN: 978-1-408-95139-2

Agent Undercover

© Lynette Eason 2011

First Published in Great Britain in 2011

Harlequin (UK) Limited

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