Page 37 of A Colby Christmas Rescue

“Do you have any assets here or nearby?” She gazed around at the lavish crowd. Some part of her hoped to spot Poe. Damn it. Where was he? “Someone to call upon for backup in case we need it?”

“No assets inside. Just the two of us.”

At least he wasn’t ruling out the possibility of backup somewhere on the property.

Better than nothing.

Jamie considered the most likely tactic for making this happen in a crowd of this size, in a house of this size.

“I’m guessing the family has a routine for their daughter. A certain time to go to bed. Mommy tucks her in, and Daddy pops by for a good-night kiss. Where’s the nanny? Have you made arrangements for disabling her?”

“The nanny tucks her in. Then Mommy and Daddy go to the room for a quick good-night. It’s all very affable and everyone disappears quickly. The nanny goes home after. But tonight the nanny is not an issue. She’s on vacation for the next ten days.”

One less potential liability.

“You know—” Jamie glanced around in search of a server “—I think I might need a real drink after all.”

“Allow me,” Abi said before making a slight bow and then hurrying to the nearest server.

Jamie watched Mrs. Case for a moment and then her husband, the doctor. She wondered if either could possibly comprehend how their lives were about to change. The ability to breathe suddenly felt unnatural, difficult.

This was wrong.

And yet she was helpless to stop it.

Abi reappeared with two flutes of bubbling liquid. Jamie accepted hers and took the smallest sip. “Thank you.”

“Case’s wife writes children’s books.”

Jamie nodded. “You mentioned that, and I spotted it on her Wikipedia page.”

“Her latest isThe Fish in My Dreams. It’s about a little girl who dreams of swimming deep into the ocean with fish on her feet instead of shoes.”

Jamie laughed. “Sounds like something her daughter dreamed and told her about.”

Abi nodded. “That’s what she says in the dedication to her daughter.”

Jamie slipped her arm around his. “I’m guessing we should tell her how much we loved the book.”

“The daughter will remember you talking to her mother,” he agreed.

The whole point.

Jamie led the way across the room. Mrs. Case looked up as they approached.

“Mrs. Case,” Jamie said, her smile broadening, “I’m Jasmine Colter. I just wanted to say how very much my little niece enjoyed your new book.”

Lillian leaned closer to her mom, her cheeks pink.

“It’s Lillian’s story really.” She beamed down at her daughter. “She has very vivid dreams.”

Jamie nodded to Lillian. “Such a great story, Lillian. I hope you’ll be telling more stories with your mom.”

Lillian smiled finally. “Ducks are coming next.”

“Oh my. You’re writing a story about ducks?”

Lillian nodded. “For next year.”

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